Decision details

1.         That the progress to date within the GM Cultural Portfolio, in particular the increase of 39% in engagement with GMCA funded cultural organisations as a result of a new investment approach agreed by GMCA for 2018-2020, be noted.

2.         That the proposed revised approach to GMCA investment in culture from April 2020 onwards be approved, namely:

o  continuation of GMCA investment in cultural organisations and activity across GM

o  that criteria for cultural organisations bidding for GMCA Culture Fund remain the same as 2018-2020 programme (set out in paragraph 3.3)

o  top-slicing into a separate budget, and at current percentage, non-cultural activity funding currently funded via the GM Cultural and Social Impact Fund

o  Ring-fence up to £270,000 of the GM Cultural Fund per annum to GM Culture Strategy priorities where they cannot be delivered by a single organisation, but will work with multiple cultural organisations and partners to increase cultural activity and resident engagement

o  Agree that, in line with current practice, the portfolio and programme management costs should be found from within the GMCA Cultural Fund budget

o  That the GMCA Culture Fund programme should be in place for two years (2020/21-2021/2022)

o  That, in reaching final recommendations about the portfolio of grants to award, a flexible approach will be needed to consider the issues of balance (across art form, geography and sustainability of the whole GM cultural eco-system) and overall resources available. As part of this process GMCA is minded to consider limiting the amount of funding any single cultural organisation can receive to no more than 15% of the Greater Manchester Cultural Fund subject to understanding the impact on the viability of any organisation affected.

3.         That the GMCA record its thanks to Councillor David Greenhalgh, and officers of the GMCA for their collaboration in progressing the future culture funding proposals.