Decision details

Option 

Comment 

Do nothing 

Peterborough’s growth and the impact of the pandemic both promote and give rise to community and strategic priorities for culture. Doing nothing is obviously one option: much cultural activity is not a statutory duty. However, there are many committed and active partners who not only wish to see a higher profile but see creative and heritage activity as a way to addressing key challenges, from mental wellbeing to attracting investment. 

Focus council attention only on statutory functions 

From the authority’s position the only statutory cultural function is the library service (though not the provision of any specific buildings). In theory it would be possible to close all heritage and theatre activity and step away from participation in cultural partnership activity. This would sacrifice the opportunities both for partnership and associated investment, but the opportunities for cultural solutions to complex problems as typified by the Peterborough Presents Loneliness Project or the Festival of Thanks programmed for Nene Park next year. 

Council only leadership of strategic activity and decision-making 

This is sometimes seen as the default model, where the Council has the democratic legitimacy and a significant proportion of the major strategic assets. In Peterborough, a young, fast-growing and diverse area, this is seen as inadequate to reach the real potential of culture to enhance people’s lives economically, socially and culturally. Peterborough enjoys a wealth of voluntary cultural activity but lacks a clear infrastructure to grow the professional and economic benefits. No local authority alone can deliver those opportunities or investment and so resilient and inclusive partnership has been seen as the main way forward. The Alliance is a direct response to these conclusions from the Strategy consultation and research.