Decision Details

Decision Subject To Call In

Arts Cultural Organisations Core Funding Proposal

Yes

Report of the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Communities, Culture, Leisure and Tourism. 

Tue 31 Mar 2026

To approve funding to support the delivery of the pilot Arts Organisations Core Grant Programme.

Communities

Approved budget

No

Not Applicable

N/A

None

Committee

Cabinet

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

ESC recognises the role arts organisations play in improving East Suffolk’s economy, community well-being, promoting conscientious environmental behaviours as well as offering enjoyment in everyday life. This proposal is recommended because core funding creates a clear return on investment, specifically by boosting the visitor economy, improving public health, and revitalising town centres. Furthermore, this proposal addresses the current dearth of core funding available to this sector.

£120,000 initially. If the pilot is successful then there would be two further years of £120,000 funding 

Option 1: The Council could agree not to establish a core funding programme for local arts organisations, however this would reduce their ability to support the delivery of Council’s strategic plan, especially the Thriving Economy and Tackling Inequalities themes. 

Option 2:  The Council agrees to establish the Arts Organisation Core Fund programme and thereby provides a valuable and rare form of funding for the local cultural sector that in turn will support the delivery of Council priorities.

That Cabinet: 
1. Approve the use of £120,000 allocated in the 2026/27 budget to support the delivery 
of the pilot Arts Organisations Core Grant Programme. 
 
2. Approve the use of £120,000 per annum allocated in the Medium-Term Financial 
Strategy (MTFS) to support the delivery of Arts Organisations Core Grant Programme 
for 2027/28 and 2028/29 on the basis that the pilot programme was successful.

None

None