Decision

1. 1

The Head of Culture and Place Marketing presented a report which sought approval from the Economic Development, Skills and Culture Policy Committee to grant a one-year extension to the current Sheffield DocFest grant agreement, through the aware of additional grant funding of £100,000 to support the delivery of the 2027 festival. It was explained that the proposed payment would be made in 2026/27 and would support early planning and preparations for the 2027 festival, whilst allowing the Council to consider future funding arrangements separately.

1. 2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Economic Development, Skills and Culture Policy Committee:

a.    Approve an additional £100,00 grant allocation to International Documentary Festival Sheffield to support delivery of Sheffield DocFest 2027 and extend the existing Sheffield DocFest grant agreement for a further 12 months

b.    Approve the additional £100,000 funding to be met from the Strategic Major Events budget and paid in 2026/27, with the funding arrangements to be implemented through a deed of variation to the existing grant agreement and completion of the necessary subsidy control, legal and financial assurance requirements

1. 3

Reasons for Decision

1. 3.1

The recommended decision provides a clear and proportionate route to maintaining Sheffield City Council’s support for Sheffield DocFest for the 2027 festival, following the conclusion of the current three-year grant agreement. The approach to support for the years beyond 2027 is expected to be included in a broader Committee report on the Major Events Programme, to follow later in the Municipal Year.

1. 3.2

Sheffield DocFest is a significant cultural event in the city’s annual programme and provides a range of cultural, visitor economy and sector development benefits for Sheffield. A one-year extension at the existing £100,000 annual funding level provides continuity, supports early planning and preparations for the 2027 edition in a proportionate way, without creating a further multi-year commitment at this stage.

1. 3.3

The proposed extension can be progressed through a formal written variation to the existing grant agreement, subject to Committee approval, legal and finance sign-off, further subsidy control requirements, and standard contractual assurance arrangements.

1. 4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

1. 4.1

Alternative Option 1: Do not provide a one-year extension

Under this option, the Council would not provide a further £100,000 grant to Sheffield DocFest for the 2027 festival following the conclusion of the current three-year agreement. This option is not recommended. Sheffield DocFest is a major cultural event with established cultural, visitor economy and sector development benefits for Sheffield. Removing the Council’s grant support at the end of the current agreement would create a risk to the continuity, scale and quality of the 2027 festival, could compromise the viability of Doc/Fest as an organisation by withdrawing a key element of its core funding model, and would reduce the Council’s ability to secure public value through grant conditions, monitoring and partnership working.

1. 4.2

Alternative Option 2: Provide a different level of funding for 2027

The Council could consider a lower or higher grant amount for the 2027 festival. This option is not recommended for this decision. Maintaining the existing £100,000 annual grant level, which has been in place since 2024, provides a clear and proportionate one-year extension of the current arrangement. It avoids creating a new or increased financial commitment and provides a straightforward basis for the proposed variation to the current agreement at this time.

1. 4.3

Alternative Option 3: Develop a new grant or commissioning process for 2027

The Council could seek to establish a new grant or commissioning arrangement for the 2027 festival rather than varying the existing agreement. This option is not recommended because the existing agreement already provides a suitable framework that can be varied in writing, subject to appropriate approval and assurance. A new process would take longer to establish and would be disproportionate for a one-year extension at the existing funding level, and would fail to support pro-active early planning and preparations by Doc/Fest for the 2027 edition.