Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer Economy and Culture

The Chief Officer Culture and Economy submitted a report to provide the Outer South Community Committee with an update on LEEDS 2023 and to gather input and support from elected members and residents.

Members were provided with a brief introduction to the LEEDS 2023 year of culture which included the setting up of the Leeds Culture Trust with an independent chair, funding, scrutiny, partnership working and promotion of the year of culture.

Members were informed of the following points:

·  It is the aim of LEEDS 2023 for 75% of Leeds residents to be involved in at least one event. Some of the events will be free and events will be held in all 33 wards with schools being invited to get involved. The aim is to increase knowledge of the diverse heritage of the city.

·  Economic research has suggested that holding this type of event will attract investment to the city particularly through retail and hospitality. The mission of LEEDS 2023 is to forge partnerships not only across the city but the country and the world.

·  My LEEDS 2023 aims to empower the local communities through partnership and community working amplifying the work already going on in the area. There will be 33 Neighbourhood Hosts with one host recruited from each ward, this will be a paid role as a member of the LEEDS 2023 Team. The role will be as a connector to local resident and network groups to access and make the most of the Year of Culture. They will also play a key role in an event called the Weekender.

·  The Weekender will take place for two days in August 2023 animating every ward with neighbourhood events. The aim is to bring together the communities through events such as street parties, cook outs and mini carnivals.

·  Currently the team are holding events in wards to promote the LEEDS 2023 Year of Culture. Dates times and venues to be provided to the Councillors. Not only would there be a Neighbourhood Host in each ward, but the team are looking to involve large numbers of volunteers to help with the programme at both a local level and a city level.

·  The team wish to engage with the Members to use their expertise for local groups and contacts, and request suggestions for Neighbourhood Hosts.

Responding to questions from Members the following information was noted:

·  The role of Neighbourhood Host will give live on Thursday 23^rd June with the closing date in August 2022. The contract for the role would run until November 2023. Neighbourhood Hosts would assist in the development of the programme and the distribution of the £100,000 grant. The Neighbourhood Host would assist to have skills and experience in event management, but training would be provided, the Neighbourhood Host required enthusiasm and knowledge of the local area. It was noted that information on the role would be circulated to Members.

·  It was noted that Rothwell already hold popular events in July and September. It was the view of the team that they could work alongside any events already scheduled.

Members made the following recommendation:

·  The Outer South Community Committee recommends that each ward in the city received an equal share of the £100,000 grant.

RESOLVED – To note the content of the report and to suggest that each ward received an equal share of the £100,000 grant.