Decision details

Date of Decision:

12^th August, 2025

Title:

Children’s Capital of Culture 2025 – Creative Development Grants

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Andrew Bramidge, Strategic Director, Regeneration & Environment

Details of Specific Delegation

or

Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.

Sub Scheme of Delegation - Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment – Page 31-32 refers.

All financial matters relating to the management and delivery of cultural, leisure, green spaces, landscape design and sports services, including:

• Awarding and distribution of grants
• Authorisation of grants up to a value of £25,000 according to the Council’s criteria for cultural, leisure and events grants

Working in collaboration with Finance Officers

Decision:

To approve the proposed awards of Creative Development Grants of £2,500 to five Rotherham-based individuals and organisations to deliver innovative and participatory cultural projects across the Rotherham borough between 1st August and 31st December 2025.

Reasons for the Decision:

This decision increases the capacity of Rotherham-based individuals and organisations to deliver new and imaginative events and experiences that provide a distinctive offer for children and young people across the borough and wider region.

The Creative Development Grants programme is funded through the Gainshare fund. The stated aims of this grant programme are to support the growth of the economy of the local cultural and creative industries and create a blueprint for high-quality engagement and co-production with children and young people. Awarding Creative Development Grants to five grant recipients therefore delivers on the key aims of this grant.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

Do nothing – failing to allocate the Creative Development Grants funding to local individuals and organisations using an open, accessible and clearly communicated selection process would mean Children’s Capital of Culture is unable to fulfil its agreement with the funder around the purpose and timescales of spending this funding. This would be a substantial reputational risk to the Council and its partners and could mean that the grant is withdrawn and that the Council is unable to access future rounds of funding allocated through SYMCA.

Failing to allocate the Creative Development Grants could also affect the reputation of Council across individuals and organisations working across the local culture, creative, sports and leisure sectors. Without support from the Council through the Creative Development Grants programme, these organisations may not have the means to run an innovative and creative activity programme that supports and upskills the local sector while also creating a wide range of quality opportunities for youth engagement and community cohesion.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

N/A

Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an outside body which relates to the decision:

N/A

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

N/A

Reports or parts of reports considered

Children’s Capital of Culture 2025 – Creative Development Grants Programme