The Cabinet Member Signing meeting on Tuesday 17 March 2026 is scheduled to consider the acceptance of a significant grant from the Greater London Authority (GLA) to fund the delivery of Haringey's London Borough of Culture 2027 programme and the Liberty Festival.

Acceptance of GLA Grant for London Borough of Culture 2027 and Liberty Festival

The primary item for consideration is the acceptance of a grant totalling £2,165,000 from the Greater London Authority (GLA) for the delivery of the London Borough of Culture 2027 programme and the Liberty Festival. This funding is crucial for realising the ambitions set out in Haringey's winning bid for the London Borough of Culture title in 2024. The report pack outlines that accepting this grant involves adhering to a number of commitments detailed in a Grant Agreement, which is currently being finalised.

The report seeks approval to accept the grant, which is comprised of funding from both the GLA and Arts Council England. The total sum includes £1,350,000 for the London Borough of Culture programme, £70,000 for the Liberty R&D programme, £75,000 for the Liberty Festival, and £175,000 for the Youth programme, alongside £350,000 from Arts Council England for the London Borough of Culture and £145,000 for the Liberty Festival.

The report highlights that this award presents a unique opportunity to showcase Haringey's diverse cultures, radical heritage, and contemporary creatives, aligning with the council's 2035 Vision of a borough where everyone can belong and thrive. It will also help amplify community voices and create opportunities for young people in creative careers.

Councillor Emily Arkell, Cabinet Member for Culture & Leisure, is being asked to approve the acceptance of this grant. The report also seeks authority to delegate the final sign-off of the Grant Agreement to the Corporate Director of Culture, Strategy & Communities. The report details the extensive programme planned, which includes over 500 events, large-scale spectacles, commissions, exhibitions, and community-led projects. Key events mentioned include the May Day opening event, Haringey Homegrown closing event at Spurs Stadium, Made By Tottenham, and exhibitions such as War Inna Babylon and Return of the Rudeboy.

The Liberty Festival, a celebration of D/deaf and disabled artists, will be curated by artist Bobby Baker and will feature a programme focused on mental health and power, with events including Box of Frogs 2 by Mish Weaver, a public lightbox exhibition, and a Rebel Joy Day. The Children and Young People programme, named Disrupt, will offer training and creative participation experiences through modules like SOUNDoff, CULTUREshift, and ENTRYpoint, targeting marginalised young people.

The report also addresses the financial aspects, noting that the grant enables the council to apply for and secure additional external funding. It details the breakdown of the grant and mentions that Haringey Council is contributing match funding and in-kind support. Haringey Culture Collective, a council-controlled charity established to deliver the programme, has already secured additional funding from various sources.

The report includes comments from statutory officers, including the Chief Finance Officer, Head of Legal and Governance, and the Monitoring Officer, who confirm the financial and legal compliance of the proposed decision. The Equality section highlights how the programme's objectives and target groups align with the council's Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010.

The meeting documents also include the full Grant Agreement between the Greater London Authority and the Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Haringey, outlining the terms and conditions for the funding. This agreement details project objectives, funding breakdown, payment and monitoring arrangements, and various legal and compliance requirements.