Cabinet minutes

Decided · A decision has been taken.

Cabinet agreed to enable Arts Hastings Community Interest Company to develop and submit an Expression of Interest for the Town of Culture 2028 competition by 31 March 2026, with up to £3m available for the winning town's 2028 cultural programme. p6p7

Cabinet delegated authority to the Deputy Leader and the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Place to finalise the Expression of Interest and confirm the council as Accountable Body if the bid succeeds. p7

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• p690. Hastings Town of Culture 2028 - Expressions of Interest The Economic Development Manager presented a report setting out details of the government’s Town of Culture competition and how Hastings will be developing and submitting its proposal. The competitive programme will select three towns, with one receiving up to £3m for a 2028 cultural programme. The report set out Hastings’ approach to developing an Expression of Interest (EOI) submission. The report recommends that Art Hastings CIC acts as the representative body for the bid. Arts Hastings has led public consultation, including two public meetings attended by over 200 people and an online survey with 300+ responses. Key themes emerging from the consultation included the need for cultural equity, Hastings’ distinctive cultural mix, and strong community participation. The draft EOI was not included in the report due to confidentiality, however Arts Hastings representatives Sally Lampitt and Mandy Curtis were present to outline the main elements of the EOI. Arts Hastings was established two years ago to ensure culture was represented in the Pride in Place programme, which placed the town in a strong position when the Town of Culture announcement was made in February. Since the announcement Arts Hastings has added Town of Culture as a major workstream and created a dedicated special interest group to lead this work. Representatives attended the national Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) briefing, which emphasised that bids will be judged primarily on the strength and distinctiveness of their story. Work has focused on developing Hastings’ narrative, highlighting its origins before 1066, historic independence, identity as a haven for rule?breakers and creatives, strong grassroots culture, local innovation, green assets, and the importance of involving young people.
• p7The emerging story celebrates Hastings as a haven for innovators from Marianne North and Sydney Little to John Logie Baird, Alan Turing and Robert Tressell . The submission narrative will highlight the town’s strong DIY culture, grassroots festivals and community?driven creativity. The intention is to present a strengths?based narrative focused on energy, innovation and local distinctiveness rather than deprivation. Councillor Collins asked what the impact would be if Hastings became the Town of Culture. The Director of Place noted the legacy of City of Culture winners on inward investment, infrastructure, tourism, footfall and attracting further funding. It was also noted that the narrative around the town will evolve, as has been seen in former Cities of Culture, Bradford and Hull. Councillor Hilton recommended approval of the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Haffenden. RESOLVED (unanimously): 1. To enable Arts Hastings Community Interest Company (CIC), working with the wider cultural and arts community to develop a bid proposal and submit the Expressions of Interest (EOI) by 31st March 2026. 2. Cabinet delegates authority to the Deputy Leader of the Council and the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Place to finalise the EOI and to confirm that the Borough Council will be the Accountable Body for the programme if successful. Reasons: 1. The Town of Culture competition requires bids to be locally led, partnership?driven, and supported by the relevant local authority. Enabling Arts Hastings CIC to develop the Expression of Interest (EOI) aligns with this requirement and reflects their role as the town’s cultural partnership. 2. Delegating authority to the Deputy Leader and the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Place ensures the EOI can be finalised and submitted within the tight national timetable. 3.