Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome: For Determination

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: July 15, 2025

Purpose: To consider and approve the North Northamptonshire Cultural Masterplan.

Content: RESOLVED   KEY DECISION   That the Executive:   a)        Approved the North Northamptonshire Cultural Masterplan for adoption.   b)        Delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Communities and Leisure, in consultation with the Executive Member for Communities, to undertake any activity to develop and with stakeholders, deliver the action plan for the Cultural Masterplan.   Reasons for Recommendations – To use the Masterplan to help to ensure that culture becomes a cornerstone of community cohesion, economic development and placemaking and to attract increased resources for arts and heritage across the area, while establishing clear investment priorities that benefit North Northamptonshire as a whole.   Alternative Options Considered:   1.         The alternative option would be to not adopt the North Northamptonshire Cultural Masterplan. However, this is not recommended. North Northamptonshire would not have a clearly articulated direction or plan to address the challenges to and opportunities from developing a high performing cultural, heritage and creative sector.  Without a Cultural Masterplan, the area might miss out on valuable opportunities to attract more visitors, generate increased spending and create jobs.    2.         Without a coordinated effort through the Masterplan the potential for collaboration with business, education, and other stakeholders may remain untapped. This could result in a fragmented approach, where each organisation operates independently, possibly leading to duplicated efforts, inefficiencies, and a lack of a unified vision for the development of the cultural sector and its contribution to health, wellbeing, place shaping and economic growth.    3.         Additionally, by not adopting a Cultural Masterplan North Northamptonshire might also miss the chance to engage with potential funders such as Arts Council England around defined and aligned objectives, which could result in the area continuing to underperform in our leverage of external funding.