Agenda item

Report from the Interim Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Note the progress of the Children’s Capital of Culture initiative, the impact of the programme to date, and the external funding achieved.

2.    Note the proposed programming themes, anticipated outcomes, quality principles and key activities of the 2025 Festival Year.

3.    Approve the proposed spend, subject to the successful achievement of the external fundraising activity as set out in Appendix 1.

4.    Approve the proposed governance arrangements for the remainder of the programme, including:

·       the role of the Cultural Partnership Board in leading the delivery of the programme.

·       the Council’s role in the project as a facilitator and accountable body

·       the development of the activity programme and the Programme Decision-Making Framework (Appendix 2.)

·       the proposed arrangements with project delivery partners.

5.    Delegate approval of the remaining activities of the Children’s Capital of Culture programme to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion and Neighbourhood Working.

Report from the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

Consideration was given to the report which set out the impact of the Children’s Capital of Culture programme to date, and the external funding secured. It also set out the proposed future delivery arrangements, and the likely spend, along with the assurance mechanisms in development in line with the Council’s role in the project as a facilitator and accountable body. A breakdown of the funding was attached to the report at Appendix 1 and the programme decision making framework was attached at Appendix 2. Details of partner support for Children’s Capital of Culture was attached at Appendix 3.

In 2025, Rotherham would become the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture. This was one of seven “game-changers” as set out in the Rotherham Cultural Strategy, approved by Cabinet in June 2019. Children’s Capital of Culture was a title bestowed upon Rotherham by its young people. It was devised by them as a way to change how young people feel about their hometown and create positive opportunities for children and young people across the Borough.

The delivery of the Children’s Capital of Culture initiative was split into four chapters:

• Chapter 1: Starting the Conversation, delivered from August 2021 through to December 2022
• Chapter 2: Taking Shape, delivered from January 2023 through to December 2024
• Chapter 3: Festival Year, delivered throughout 2025
• Chapter 4: Keeping Momentum, delivered from 2026 onwards

The Children’s Capital of Culture Programme was estimated to attract funding in the region of £13.9m between 2021 and 2026. This included all the build-up

activity set out in Section 2 of the report, the Festival programme activities,

additional staffing, marketing and the independent evaluation required as a

condition of external funding.

Section 2.2 of the report set out how the 2025 festival year (chapter 3) was being developed. This included the themes, the projected outcomes, the quality principles, the programme strands and the curation and programming process. Section 2.3 outlined the funding arrangements and 2.4 detailed the role of the Cultural Partnership Board.

During the meeting, Councillor Sheppard highlighted the following quote from Maggie Atkinson, Former England Commissioner for Children:

The idea of creating the Children’s Capital of Culture – the first ever such initiative in the UK – should not be underestimated. This initiative…will be part of creating Rotherham’s future self. Nowhere else in the UK is doing this, with this ambition or at this scale.”

Cabinet Members expressed their support for the programme and excitement for the year to come.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1. Note the progress of the Children’s Capital of Culture initiative, the impact of the programme to date, and the external funding achieved.
   
   
2. Note the proposed programming themes, anticipated outcomes, quality principles and key activities of the 2025 Festival Year.
   
   
3. Approve the proposed spend, subject to the successful achievement of the external fundraising activity as set out in Appendix 1.
   
   
4. Approve the proposed governance arrangements for the remainder of the programme, including:

·       the role of the Cultural Partnership Board in leading the delivery of the programme.

·       the Council’s role in the project as a facilitator and accountable body

·       the development of the activity programme and the Programme Decision-Making Framework (Appendix 2.)

·       the proposed arrangements with project delivery partners.

5.    Delegate approval of the remaining activities of the Children’s Capital of Culture programme to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion and Neighbourhood Working.