THURROCK plans to brush off its "philistine" image with the launch of a new strategy to attract arts funding.

The Thurrock Plan for Culture 2025 – 2029 will "forge a shared commitment and direction of travel for culture and creativity".

The council says it will help support Thurrock's creative and cultural sector to grow and thrive and improve the borough's industrial image.

Announcing the plan at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday (22 January), Cllr Valerie Morris-Cook, portfolio holder for community partnerships, said: "One of the things that became very clear from previous reports is that we really haven't accessed the number of grants that we should have done compared to the rest of the country.

"I know that it's key theme with the team, to make sure we are at the table, we are able to take our slice of grants to open other doors to really embrace the culture that is in Thurrock."

Arts Council England data confirms that cultural engagement levels are low in Thurrock, with 64 per cent of local people not engaging frequently.

At the meeting, council leader Cllr John Kent, said: "I really welcome this report. This council has been too long without a cultural strategy and I pay tribute to officers and staff at the Thameside Theatre who have kept the flame of culture going at a time when frankly it was ignored to such an extent it appeared that we were run by total philistines.

"It's a disgrace that a third of our residents do not engage in culture at all. That's got to change and the current programme is just beginning to get out to those parts of the borough where there isn't any cultural engagement and making it happen. We need to see that spread all across the borough."

Cllr Kent said the Thameside Theatre will continue to play a leading role in the strategy.

He added: "I can't talk about arts, culture and heritage without saying I am looking forward to us making a positive decision on the future of the Thameside Theatre very soon."

Katie Beadle, Creative Director at Start Thurrock said: "The launch of the Thurrock Plan for Culture is a significant milestone in ensuring that people in the area can have a chance to explore their creativity.

"As part of our ten-year vision for Start Thurrock, we are committed to working with, and for, our communities to give them consistent access to high-quality arts experiences that they can help shape."