Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Director of Place

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Place that provided an update on the current position in relation to Coventry’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021.

The UK City of Culture programme was developed by the Government to build on the successes that Liverpool enjoyed as the UK’s second European Capital of Culture in 2008, through giving more cities the opportunity to access the benefits derived from bidding for a prestigious cultural title and the opportunity to be centre stage nationally.  The UK City of Culture programme was focussed on creating a national cultural event, spread over the course of a title year, concentrated in a particular city or area.  Derry-Londonderry was the first city to be awarded the UK City of Culture title for 2014 and Hull would be the second UK City of Culture in 2017.

In March 2015, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced that the competition for title of UK City of Culture 2021 would be held in 2017.

On 14^th July 2015, the Council approved that Coventry City of Culture Steering Group lead development of a whole-city bid for the title of UK City of Culture 2021, in doing so putting together a realistic and credible bid budget and creating a special delivery vehicle to manage the bid process.  Council further agreed that the Steering Group would report back to Cabinet on progress.

The report indicated that since July, the Steering Group had been joined by a Fundraising Advisory Group, a Communications Group and a Research Group, to develop the work programmes that would be essential to a successful bid.  The report further outlined the current position in relation to the team supporting the work of the Steering Group, the research being undertaken, fundraising and marketing and communications work. 

The Cabinet were advised that six workshops had been undertaken in various settings to develop the vision and narrative for the bed, including two with young people hosted by the Positive Youth Foundation and EGO.  The City of Culture Trust also hosted two open events to explain what the City of Culture was and this was attended by over 150 people. 

It was noted that a number of other cities including Sunderland, Paisley, Perth and Hereford had declared their intention to submit a bid and it was anticipated that there would be further announcements in the coming months.  The next steps and timetable for further work in relation to the bid were also noted.

In considering the content of the report, the Cabinet were satisfied that they did not need to submit any recommendations of points for consideration to the Steering Group.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet:

1)  Notes and endorses progress reported by the Coventry City of Culture Steering Group in developing the City’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021.

2)  Agrees that there were no recommendations and points of consideration to be referred to the Steering Group in furthering development of the bid in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111