CEC-02-26: Arts and Heritage Partner Funding
August 28, 2026 Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Organisational Strategy, Digital and Leisure, Libraries & Culture (Cabinet member) Key decision Approved View on council websiteThis summary is generated by AI from the council’s published record and supporting documents. Check the full council record and source link before relying on it.
Summary
The Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene, and Flooding approved the continuation of Local Highway and Footway Improvement Groups (LHFIGs) with changes to funding, process, and procedure on 03/07/2026. These changes include a price list, a prioritised scheme pipeline, process flow charts, a form of delegation, revised terms of reference, guidance notes, and a record of compliance with funding requirements.
The Cabinet approved the delegation of budget allocations, including any underspend, to the Director of Planning, Economy & Climate, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration, on 25/06/2026. This ensures the most effective use of funds in line with the Wiltshire Towns' Programme objectives.
The Head of Leisure Operations approved the award of a contract to Swim England for the Love Swimming Campaign at Wiltshire Council's leisure centres on 22/04/2026. This contract is valued at £10,000 (£5,000 per annum) and will support the development and implementation of the campaign.
Full council record
Purpose
To approve the continuation of funding to Wiltshire Council's four core arts and heritage partners as shown below and to approve the allocation of grant funding for the duration of the agreement, subject to annual review and the availability of Council funding.
TABLE 1
URN
Organisation
Grant Period
Grant Amount 2026/27
Grant Amount 2027/28
Subject to Annual Review
Grant Amount 2028/29
Subject to Annual Review
Total Grant Amount
FS2537
The Pound Arts Trust Limited
THREE Years
01 April 2026 - 31 March 2029
£53,898
£53,898
£53,898
£161,694
FS2539
The Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum Trust
£22,320
£22,320
£22,320
£66,960
FS2540
The Wiltshire Music Centre Trust Limited
£21,656
£21,656
£21,656
£64,968
FS2542
Wiltshire Creative
ONE Year
01 April 2026 - 31 March 2027
£189,390
Will be dealt with under separate Grant Agreements if approved.
£189,390
Decision
Following consultation with officers I give notice that I approve the grants as set out in this report.
This decision was published on 27 August 2026 and will come into force on 7 September 2026.
Reasons for the decision
Option 4: Continue current funding model through Grant Agreements from 2026-2029, and 2026-2027 for Wiltshire Creative, with the existing four core arts and heritage organisations provides the most stable and sustainable approach to delivery of the Council’s Priority 9 Make culture for everyone and avoids creating significant inequalities or operational instability amongst the partner organisations at this time.
Alternative options considered
Options considered included:
·
Option 1: Cease funding to the arts and heritage partners.
This option was rejected as it would significantly reduce cultural provision, undermine strategic Council objectives and impact the sustainability of partner organisations.
·
Option 2: Reduce funding allocations.
This option was considered but rejected due to the likely impact on service delivery, community programmes and organisational sustainability.
·
Option 3: Redistribute funding based on revised criteria.
This option was considered but rejected as it would create significant uncertainty, potential reputational damage and unequal impacts across organisations.
·
Option 4: Continue current funding model through Grant Agreements from 2026-2029, and 2026-2027 for Wiltshire Creative, with the existing four core arts and heritage organisations.
Continued funding at the current levels
Supporting Documents
Details
| Reference | Call-ins0 |
| Outcome | Recommendations Approved |
| Decision date | 28 Aug 2026 |
| Effective from | 6 Sep 2026 |
| Expected date | 25 Jun 2026 |
| Originally due | 10 Jun 2026 |
| Lead officer | Rory Bowen, Victoria Moloney |
| Subject to call-in | Yes |