Throughout the year we have made great efforts to continue to achieve our key priority of widening participation to as many people within our Hampshire community as we possibly can – families, older people, young people and children in all our diverse communities. Through our services and by ever more innovative means, we aim to positively influence lives, contributing to people’s sense of well-being and pride in their home county.

Services have seen significant increases in visitor numbers during the course of the year. Our Museums Service has performed particularly strongly with visits up over 6%. The number of people participating in events organised by our countryside is up almost 40%. Visits to Hampshire Record Office, Outdoor Centres and Libraries are also up year on year.

I take great personal pride in the affect our work can and does have on the lives of Hampshire residents and would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone in the

Department, under the visionary direction of Yinnon Ezra, without whose constant efforts none of what we do would be possible.

Councillor Margaret Snaith-Tempia

Executive Member, Culture, Communities and Recreation

I am delighted to introduce the 2008/09 Annual Report for the newly named Department for Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs. The decision to rename the former Recreation and Heritage department is significant because it recognises and confirms the importance of our services as an essential part of what Hampshire County Council does. And that is, to improve quality of life for Hampshire residents by providing the best possible access to recreation, learning and heritage and to ensure that Hampshire is also a great destination for visitors.

During this year we have continued our efforts to streamline, modernise and refocus our services. We have conducted a full review of our Countryside Service and the resulting restructure will deliver improvements and efficiencies during 2009/10 and beyond.

Another achievement I am particularly proud of is the publication of the Library and Information Service’s Vision and strategy 2009–2014 which sets the roadmap for an efficient, customer-focussed Service capable of adapting to changing lifestyles and demands.

One of the highlights for me this year has been the launch of our Culture-all marketing campaign which highlights to our residents, just what a culturally rich and diverse county we are lucky to live in. It provides a vehicle through which we can bring residents’ attention to the wide range of activities and events our Services provide at our many sites, that they can attend and participate in, right on their own doorsteps.

These are just three of the many and varied achievements, both big and small, that I am proud of and that have been achieved through the hard work, dedication and patience of our staff and our ever-increasing army of volunteers.

I would like to thank all our staff and volunteers, our partners in District and Borough Councils, colleagues across the County Council and last, but not least, the many County Councillors who support the department’s activities. I would like to thank in particular Cllr Ken Thornber, Leader of the Council and Cllr Margaret Snaith, our Cabinet Member for their invaluable support.

Yinnon Ezra MBE, Director, Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs.

Library and Information Service Vision and Strategy 2009–2014

One of the main achievements of the second half of 2008/09 was the preparation of a strategy setting out the vision and direction for Hampshire’s Library and Information Service up until 2026, with particular emphasis on the next five years. The immediate focus will be on establishing a strong and sustainable basis on which to build and develop the Library and Information Service and allowing a flexible and rapid response to meet the needs of the people of Hampshire.

Renewed Key Partnership Agreements

Renewed key partnership agreements were negotiated both with Sport England to support SHIOW and with the MLA as the Renaissance SE hub lead. Both agreements have undergone a significant overhaul in terms, funding and drivers to respond to agendas set externally by the Department of Health and the MLA and aligning these with key local priorities for improved access and broadening participation.

Countryside Service Review

The Countryside Service Review was completed and the new structure implemented (with effect April 09) to reflect the improving access agenda and incorporating some fundamental changes, which include new processes for managing rights of way.

Learning Outside the Classroom

The Department made good progress in defining the direction for work with schools and the Learning Outside the Classroom manifesto with substantial agreement and cross-department working to present a coherent offer.

Community Libraries Project (LEAD)

Good progress was made in the implementation of this Big Lottery funded project. Two of the five libraries opened following refurbishment and the creation of new spaces for learning.

Culture-all

March 2009 saw the launch of Culture-all, a consumer promotional campaign which celebrates Hampshire’s diverse range of attractions, bringing together everything from museums and libraries to country parks and sport. It provides a fantastic opportunity to help stimulate the local economy by promoting special events and offers, encouraging residents to spend days out in their exciting and vibrant county.

Charter Mark

The department was successfully assessed for continued Charter Mark certification for customer service excellence.

Equality Standard

The department successfully achieved the Equality Standard in February 2009.