Decision details

To decide whether the Council intends to progress a bid for the European Capital of Culture 2023.

Further to Minute No. 157, 22^nd January 2014, the Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update on the city-wide discussions and consultation exercises which had taken place to date on the possibility of Leeds formally proceeding with a bid to become European Capital of Culture 2023. In addition, the report highlighted the key matters associated with a potential bid and invited the Board to consider whether or not to continue to progress such a bid.

In considering the submitted report, Members highlighted that should the Board give approval to develop a bid for Leeds to become European Capital of Culture 2023, then the following be taken into consideration:-

·  the need to ensure that a thorough and robust financial plan accompanied any bidding process;

·  to ensure that the whole process included and positively impacted upon all areas and local communities of Leeds;

·  that actions were taken to ensure that any opportunities arising from a Leeds bid were maximised, such as using the process as a vehicle for encouraging further investment into the city;

·  that further consideration be given to the ways in which a bidding process could be used as an opportunity for the city to again showcase its expertise and ability for delivering significant cultural events;

·  that the expertise of other stakeholders and partner organisations located across Leeds was utilised to establish a cultural strategy for the city and also to contribute towards the development of any bid.

In conclusion, it was suggested that further discussions on such matters could take place on an all-party basis, should the Board agree to progress such a bid.

Following consideration of Appendices 4 and 5 to the submitted report, designated as exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3), which were considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting, it was

RESOLVED – That against the backdrop of the scale and breadth of the 14 month city-wide conversation which has taken place, together with the resource implications, as outlined within the submitted report:

(a)  Approval be given to the proposal that Leeds will bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2023;

(b)  Approval be given to the principle that, as far as possible, any such bid or future programme of activity should involve and benefit all the communities of Leeds, whilst also bringing benefit to the wider regional, national and European communities;

(c)  The Chief Officer, Culture and Sport be requested to work with the Executive Member for Digital and Creative Technology, Culture and Skills to now:-

·  Establish a strategic steering group with an independent chair in order to advise on and oversee the development of the bid, as per paragraph 5.2 of the submitted report;

·  Develop proposals for establishing a framework to further the spirit of citywide conversation, engagement and transparency, as per paragraph 5.3 of the submitted report;

·  Work with the people of Leeds, stakeholders and partners in order to create a cultural strategy for the period 2017-30;

·  Develop mutually beneficial partnerships with stakeholders across the Leeds City Region, Yorkshire and the North in order to strengthen the bid;

·  Develop a timeline, business plan and communications strategy;

(d)   The Director of City Development be requested to:-

·  Plan for the human and financial resources required for making a bid, as outlined within the submitted report;

·  Submit a progress report to Executive Board later in 2015.

Range of consultation platforms deployed – Citizens Panel annual culture survey and focus groups, LCC Website, public meeting at Leeds Town Hall followed by 3 further public meetings in 2014, short poll on Talking Point.

Cultural sector, Higher Education and Further Education, Leeds Chamber of Commerce, business and  3^rd sector organisations