BUTE is being recommended as an entry to become a UK Town of Culture in 2028, a report has revealed.
Argyll and Bute Council officials have been invited to make a nomination for the new initiative, which was announced by the UK Government in October.
A total prize fund of £3.5 million is available, with the overall winner being awarded £3 million. There will be three categories of winners, with Argyll and Bute’s entry going into the ‘small’ category for populations of less than 20,000.
The project is described as “an opportunity for places and communities to use culture and creativity to tell their story of why they are proud of their community and leave a lasting legacy of social and cultural change.”
After consideration, officers from the authority have decided that Bute fits the bill, with councillors now asked to agree.
Officers would then work with the Rothesay Pavilion Charity Trust to develop and submit an expression of interest.
A report will go before the full council at its meeting on Wednesday, February 25.
Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “EOIs (expressions of interest) should demonstrate the capacity for a town to successfully manage, fund and deliver a programme and partnerships over a period of six months in 2028.
“Delivery needs to be made on a partnership basis and must include the local authority, however the local authority does not need to be the lead applicant and officers, given resourcing, would wish to partner with an organisation that has the capacity to submit the EOI.
“Argyll and Bute has five main towns that could all be worthy contenders for the 2028 Town of Culture competition.
“Whilst all or our towns have their own individual merits it is considered at this time that the Isle of Bute affords the best opportunity for achieving the 2028 Town of Culture in this round of funding.
“Officers have considered the ambitions of the fund and whether there would be an appropriate town that might both fit with these ambitions and the required deadlines.
“In addition, officers have also considered the resource requirement for submitting a bid, and for this reason have concluded that there needs to be an existing cultural body in place who would be able and willing to consider taking on a substantive role in both developing a bid and facilitating a programme of delivery.
“For these reasons officers have concluded that the best fit would be the Isle of Bute, with the Rothesay Pavilion Charity ideally positioned to deliver this working with other stakeholders as appropriate including local community representatives and bodies such as the Mount Stuart Trust.”
Ms Flanagan added: “Initial talks have taken place with the Rothesay Pavilion Charity who have confirmed their interest in supporting a bid in partnership with the Council and local stakeholders.
“If approval is given by council, officers will enter discussions to consider and hopefully agree scope, governance and resourcing. It is intended to approach other key partners on the island to collaborate on the bid as appropriate.”
Expressions of interest are required to be submitted by March 31, and towns shortlisted will receive £60,000 each to develop a full proposal.
