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Bath & North East Somerset Council | |||
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Community, Culture & Leisure Committee |
AGENDA | |
MEETING DATE: |
22 January 2001 | ||
REPORT AUTHOR: |
Jacquie Campbell - Head of Libraries, Arts & Archives (01225 396404) | ||
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER: |
Jacquie Campbell - Head of Libraries Arts & Archives | ||
TITLE: |
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WARD: |
All | ||
BACKGROUND PAPERS: 1. European Capital of Culture 2008 - Criteria and information for applicants. DCMS. 2. 2008 City of Culture - Report on consultation. Bristol Cultural Development Partnership/Bath & North East Somerset Council 3. 2008 - Report of visit to Brussels and Prague. Bristol Cultural Development Partnership 4. European Capital of Culture - Report to Strategy Committee, December 1999 | |||
AN OPEN PUBLIC ITEM | |||
1 SUMMARY
1.1 This paper outlines work carried out to date on the European Capital of Culture 2008 (ECC 2008) initiative and the current position regarding a potential bid.
2 RECOMMENDATION
2.1 That Members agree that Bath & North East Somerset should be a supporting partner in a bid by Bristol to be ECC 2008 (as outlined in 6.4).
3 RESOURCE AND CORPORATE POLICY IMPLICATIONS (WHERE NECESSARY, THE VIEWS OF THE COUNCIL'S STATUTORY OFFICERS ARE REFLECTED IN THE COMMENTS BELOW)
3.1 Financial: The total cost of creating a viable bid to be ECC 2008 is estimated to be in the region of £250,000. It is suggested that if this Committee decides to support a bid from Bristol, then a contribution to this cost should be made. The level of this contribution, and the benefits which would accrue to B&NES from it, are discussed in a second paper to this Committee.
3.2 Staffing: If B&NES were to submit a solo bid to be ECC 2008, a unit of a least two full-time officers would be required for a period of 18 months to create the bid and there would be substantial management implications. If B&NES supports a Bristol bid, there will be a management input to the project, plus involvement from all services, but no dedicated staff will be required.
3.3 Equalities: All bids to become ECC 2008 will be required to demonstrate accessibility to all members of the local community and a contribution to the promotion of social inclusion.
3.4 Economic: The economic benefits of becoming Capital of Culture or being associated with it are substantial. The bidding process itself is likely to raise the profile of the area as a centre of cultural and artistic appeal. This will have benefits for the growing creative industries sector and is likely to attract more commercial support for the arts, heritage and leisure.
3.5 Environment: The ECC 2008 initiative celebrates a definition of culture which includes the built and natural environment. Parks, buildings, urban and rural areas would all, therefore, be involved in a programme of events and developments. There may be an opportunity to attract funding for capital projects for the area, such as improved arts and museum facilities. A bid which involved Bristol and Bath would need to look closely at improving transport links between the two cities, which would have an impact on the environment.
3.6 Council Wide Impacts: This project will require a corporate approach and cross-service ownership, involving input from all parts of the Council. This will be achieved through the Heads of Service Group.
Bids must demonstrate that there will be activity and benefits for the whole area surrounding the successful city. A bid based on Bath or Bristol would, therefore, have significant impact on the whole of B&NES.
4 BACKGROUND AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK
4.1 In 2008 a UK city will be designated the European Capital of Culture. The initiative aims to raise the profile of the city through a year-long showcase of artistic and cultural events and activities. This is a prestigious title which will attract EU funding as well as potential commercial sponsorship for the chosen city. In 1990, Glasgow used the year as the foundation for a major regeneration project which saw a huge upturn in the economic and social wellbeing of the area, as well as a rebranding of the city as an attractive place to live and visit.
4.2 Cities throughout the UK have been invited to submit bids in 2002. The bidding process is long and complex, so work will need to begin immediately. These will be evaluated by the Dept for Culture, Media & Sport and a winner announced in 2003/4. All the cities shortlisted will be designated `European Centres of Culture'.
4.3 Strategy Committee in December 1999 received a paper on the initiative and authorised the Head of Libraries, Arts & Archives to investigate the potential of Bath submitting a bid, either alone or in partnership with Bristol.
5 RESEARCH AND CONSULTATION CARRIED OUT
5.1 Research has been carried out into how recent Cities of Culture set about the bidding process, what were the factors leading to their success, what exactly they have done during their year and what impact it has had on the cities. This research has included visits to Weimar, Brussels and Prague as well as contact with a number of other cities.
Research was useful in pointing to a number of factors involved in submitting a successful bid. The impact on the city varies, depending on the commitment of the individual city. However, the value, in terms of attracting visitors, raising the profile of the city within Europe and increasing the level of artistic and cultural activity available to local people is clear.
5.2 A consultation exercise was held in both Bath and Bristol. A total of 6 meetings were held, involving a wide range of elected members, Council officers, arts and cultural organisations, business representatives and community organisations. The consultation covered three main areas - the value of submitting a bid; what contributions could be made by different sectors; whether Bath and Bristol should bid together or separately.
The key issues arising from the consultation were:
· Strong support for a joint Bath/Bristol bid. Wide recognition of the complementary cultures of the cities and the strengths that each could bring to the bid.
· A consensus that there would be clear benefits from the bidding process itself, regardless of whether or not the bid is successful. Benefits identified included the creation of a local cultural strategy for the sub-region, closer relationships between two cities, building on the success of Tourism partnership, the identification of future development needs for the cultural infrastructure of the cities and a range of projects and initiatives which would carry on whether the bid were to be successful or not.
· A feeling that strong political support for a bid was crucial and that leadership should come from the local authorities.
5.3 Discussions were held with various regional bodies, including the RDA and South West Arts and GOSW. These regional bodies gave a clear message that, whilst they would give full support to a bid from the South West, opposing bids from the two cities would be unacceptable and that a partnership of some kind would be expected.
5.4 An examination of the criteria for bidding issued by DCMS in September 2000. Amongst other things, this requires candidates to demonstrate that they have the infrastructure, financial resources and tourism strategy to deliver a year-long programme of excellence, with maximum impact for all residents and visitors. The bid also has to show that there will be long-term, sustainable benefits of the programme, extending beyond the initial year.
The criteria announces that cities will be barred from bidding together in equal partnerships. Despite considerable lobbying, DCMS have remained firm on this, making an exception only for Newcastle and Gateshead. This means that, despite the support for a joint bid from Bath and Bristol from a wide range of consultees, this option is now out of the question.
6 OPTIONS FOR B&NES
6.1 It is likely, though not yet formally decided, that Bristol will continue and submit a bid. If this is the case, it leaves three options for B&NES. A decision is needed from this Committee now on which option is to be taken.
6.2 Option 1 - Play no further role in the initiative
This option would carry no risk of failure and would involve no further financial input. A successful bid by Bristol would still have knock-on benefits for B&NES as more visitors would be attracted to the area. However, it could damage the Council's relationship with Bristol and would certainly be perceived as showing apathy in some quarters. There has been strong media interest in the potential for a bid, most notably from the Western Daily Press, the Bath Chronicle and HTV and a complete withdrawal of interest may provoke adverse publicity.
6.3 Option 2 - Submit a solo bid for Bath to become ECC 2008
Some consultees have expressed a view that Bath should bid alone for the title. Undoubtedly, if successful, this would bring considerable benefits and kudos to the area. However, it is an approach which carries considerable risks. In the first place, it would put regional bodies in the extremely difficult position of having to decide whether to support Bristol or Bath. The cost of the bidding process itself would be in the region of £200,000 and there would be little opportunity in B&NES to secure business sponsorship toward this cost. All this is in the context of the fact that, realistically, the likelihood of success would be small as Bath is not perceived as an area strongly in need of the regeneration and inward tourism which the title would bring. This fact is likely to generate criticism of the Council in some quarters.
6.4 Option 3 - Become a supporting partner in a Bristol bid
This would have the advantage of building a closer relationship and links between the two cities, without the risks involved in a solo bid. B&NES would be represented at both officer and Member level, in the management of the bid. The bid would identify a programme of events and activities which would take place in B&NES and would work with B&NES organisations, businesses and services on these. Publicity material would make it clear that the initiative extended to B&NES and local people would be consulted. This approach would also result in a Local Cultural Strategy for B&NES and Bristol - work which is required by the government by 2002 in any case. There would, however, be a funding implication for this, the level of which would be decided by this Committee.
7 CONSULTATION
7.1 This report was sent to the Trades Unions for comment on Friday 22 December 2000. Any comments received will be reported to the meeting.
7.2 Extensive consultation has been carried out on this issue. Full details are contained in background papers.
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