Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: September 24, 2024

Purpose: Cabinet to note progress on the development of a Place Partnership Funding application to Arts Council England for £750K and the strategic outcomes of the proposed 2 year programme. Cabinet to agree the recommendation to approve match funding of £280K towards the project. Cabinet to agree the recommendation to continue with the full application process for PPF. Cabinet is asked to grant delegated Authority to the Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Co-operation the section 151 Officer, to accept the award and spend the funding, should the full application be successful.

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy and Place / Cabinet Member for Communities and Cooperation, which sought to update on the development of an application for funding to Arts Council England (ACE) Place Partnership Fund (PPF). The funding would support an ambitious two-year programme of activities to maximise the socio-economic impact of arts and culture across the Borough of Rochdale.   The Head of Culture and Placemaking was in attendance to present the information and to answer the questions of the Cabinet Members.   Resolved: 1.    That the progress on the development of a PPF application to ACE for £750K and the strategic plans of the proposed two-year programme outlined in section 6 of the report be noted; 2.    That the Director of Economy and Place, in conjunction with the Director of Corporate Services and the relevant Portfolio Holders be given delegated authority to submit the full bid; 3.    That the Director of Economy and Place, in conjunction with the Director of Corporate Services and the relevant Portfolio Holders be given delegated authority to accept the grant if the application is successful and match funding confirmed; 4.    That the Council’s contribution of £280k from the budget inflation reserve as match funding to support the application be noted; 5.    That the ongoing work to secure additional match funding to reduce the Council’s contribution be noted; 6.    That it be noted that if match funding were not secured, then the PPF application would not progress, meaning the project would not go ahead and the Council’s match funding would not be released.   Reason for decision: As an ACE Priority Place, the opportunity to submit a full PPF application for £750K would enable the Council and its partners to implement the strategic recommendations contained with the Council’s Cultural Policy Framework and joint Priority Place Action Plan agreed with ACE.   The potential investment from a successful PPF bid would deliver five strategic interventions, Children and Young People, Skills and Business Development, Audience and Market development, Inward Investment and Placemaking maximising the socio-economic benefits culture generates for the borough.   Alternatives considered and rejected: Do nothing. Culture and Placemaking were not a statutory function of the Council, however to do nothing and not submit the full PPF application would see a potential loss of investment from ACE of £750K to support the delivery and implementation of the Council Cultural Policy framework.    There were no other alternative investment programmes that had been identified that would enable the delivery of the strategic programme of activities outlined in this report.