Agenda item

This report presents the Brent Cultural Strategy 2026–31 which sets out a bold and essential roadmap for the next stage of the borough’s cultural development following on from the legacy of Brent’s year as London Borough of Culture. The Strategy has been co-produced to provide a long terms focus, sustain momentum, respond to community demand and position culture as a driver of inclusion, wellbeing and growth.

Members are asked to note this report also includes an additional background paper, which has been published and circulated as a separate attachment.

Prior to considering the report, Cabinet noted the representations and comments made by Bethany Haynes (as a Senior Producer at Punchdrunk Enrichment) speaking as a representative of ViBrent, a consortium of 9 cultural organisations within Brent, funded by the Arts Council England’s Place Partnership Programme, in support of the Brent Cultural Strategy 2026-2031.

In highlighting the role of the network represented through the ViBrent partnership, Cabinet was advised that their aim was to strengthen collaboration across the sector, build capacity and create inclusive cultural opportunities for all, from early years to early careers increasing equity of provision across Brent.   As such, Bethany Haynes advised she was speaking on behalf of the network to advocate for the new cultural strategy given the challenges faced across the cultural sector with the strategy recognised as playing a critical role in safeguarding the future of culture in Brent through advocating for investment, measuring and championing impact and bringing people together.

As examples of the work already being delivered through the ViBrent programme and its close alignment with the wider strategic goals  set out in the Brent Creates Cultural Strategy, reference was made to the fully-funded programme of cultural activities for schools (BrentBackpack) being delivered in collaboration with the Brent Cultural Education Partnership designed to increase schools’ knowledge of cultural offers within the borough as well as the work being undertaken through the Bootcamps programme (led by the Awareness Tap and Garden Studios) and four paid training placements in supporting  young people across Brent to pursue creative careers.

Members were also advised of the work being undertaken through ViBrent to develop research in seeking best practice and offering training opportunities on race equity and environmental sustainability in addition to helping to remove barriers for participants speaking English as a second language and supporting those with neurodiversity and special educational needs alongside the provision of training, networking and opportunities to share skills amongst grass root creatives and organisations across Brent.

In summing up Bethany Haynes expressed her full support for the strategy presented to Cabinet emphasising her wish to continue to collaborate with the Council on cultural initiatives given the wider impact it was felt these would generate in terms of improving social and economic outcomes for the whole borough.

Having welcomed the support expressed and the collaboration from all partners involved in the development of the cultural strategy, Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the Cultural Strategy 2026–2031 as detailed within the report having agreed:

(1)       To approve the Brent Cultural Strategy 2026- 2031 as the guiding framework for cultural development across the borough.

(2)       To endorse the establishment of a Brent Cultural Compact, bringing together council teams, cultural, health, education, business, and community partners to coordinate delivery.

(3)       To commit to working collaboratively to embed culture in wider council plans, including health and wellbeing strategies, regeneration projects, and cross-departmental initiatives, including enabling small?scale community?led activity through mechanisms such as a council?supported micro?grants programme.

(4)       To endorse the creation of an Impact Framework to measure cultural outcomes across wellbeing, participation, economic growth and environmental sustainability with this framework being developed in conjunction with Public Health in Q4 2025/6.

(5)       To endorse the publication of an Annual Cultural Impact Report, measuring progress against KPIs across wellbeing, inclusion, economic growth and environmental sustainability with the aim being to assess effectiveness, inform future investment and ensure transparency and accountability across partners.

(6)       To support advocacy for fair contributions from the visitor economy, including exploration of ticket levy or visitor tax mechanisms, in partnership with major venues and sector stakeholders, with options brought back to Cabinet for future consideration.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 16 February 2026