Agenda item

Report of the Director of Regeneration and Economy

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Regeneration and Economy on proposals for a creative industries strategy in Coventry. Appendices to the report provided: the Coventry Creative Industries Strategy 2026 – 2029; the Coventry Creative Industries Strategy Delivery Plan; and the Equality Impact Assessment (EIA).

Cabinet also considered a Briefing Note which outlined Scrutiny Co-ordination’s consideration of the report at their meeting on 5^th February 2026 and made recommendations for Cabinet’s consideration.

Whilst having nationally recognised strengths in creative industries, Coventry did not currently have an adopted creative industries strategy. This had become more pertinent following the publication of the Government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan in June 2025, including significant sector investment for 2026-2029. This included a £25m allocation to West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to drive growth of the creative industries, aligning with the West Midlands Growth Plan which identifies creative industries as a priority sector.

Ahead of the Government sector plan, the Coventry City Council Culture and Creative Economy Team commissioned an independent Coventry Creative Industries Mapping Report in May 2025. The purpose was to provide fresh evidence about size of the sector, as well as to identify key opportunities and challenges. The mapping involved stakeholder consultation through roundtables and focus interviews. A public event was held on 24 June 2025 to share key findings and collect further sector evidence, followed by an All-Members Seminar on 6 October 2025. The report was published on the Council Website on 2 October 2025. 

The mapping report and its key recommendations had strongly informed the development of the creative industries strategy, which as a key decision, was submitted to Cabinet for adoption. The Strategy would provide a future roadmap for the development of creative industries in Coventry, as well as provide an opportunity to clearly articulate priorities to potential funders and other stakeholders. The adoption of the Strategy was time sensitive given the WMCA funding detail due to be confirmed by the end of March 2026. 

The Strategy was developed with stakeholders and partners by the Council’s Culture and Creative Economy team. There were no new and direct cost implications for the Council within the Strategy itself. The accompanying Delivery Plan was based on either existing funding or capacity, but with the ambition to secure further funding in the future, including potentially from the WMCA through alignment with West Midlands Growth Plan.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1)  Accepts the recommendations/comments from Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee.

2)  Approves the draft Coventry Creative Industries Strategy 2026 – 2029 set out in Appendix 1 to the report and the associated strategy delivery plan set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

3)  Delegates authority to the Director of Regeneration and Economy, following consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, the Director of Finance and Resources, and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, to:

a)  Finalise the Coventry Creative Industries Strategy 2026 – 2029 and associated strategy delivery plan and thereafter adopt the Coventry Creative Industries Strategy 2026 – 2029 and associated strategy delivery plan.

b)  Further amend, edit and adapt the Coventry Creative Industries Strategy 2026 – 2029 and associated Strategy Delivery Plan over the life of the Strategy in response to subsequent review, opportunity and consultation as required.

4)  Delegates authority to the Director of Regeneration and Economy, following consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, the Director of Finance and Resources, and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, to:

a)  Identify potential funding opportunities, submit funding bids and accept funding awards up to a total sum of £2.5 million pounds.

b)  Undertake the necessary due diligence, negotiate the terms and condition of the funding agreement and enter into the necessary agreement to deliver the aims and objectives of the Coventry Cultural Industries Strategy 2026-29.