Council in show of support for town’s bid for Government’s £10m culture prize
The money would then be used to attract visitors through large-scale events.
A council has shown support for a town’s bid to win the Government’s £10 million culture prize.
Babergh councillors unanimously agreed to give ‘wholehearted’ support to Ipswich becoming the City of Culture in 2029.
The status is a competition run by the Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) every four years, with a £10 million prize.
The money would then be used to attract visitors through large-scale events.
Cllr John Ward, Babergh’s leader, said winning the prize would not only benefit Ipswich but the county as a whole.
“It will be a celebration about our county town and a statement about its future, one that deserves the support of the whole county,” he said.
His motion followed the launch of a campaign earlier this month, urging residents, businesses and organisations to show their support ahead of a formal submission by February 8.
DanceEast will be putting together the formal expression of interest, with the Government then deciding which eight places make it to the next stage.
Cllr Deborah Saw, Babergh’s lead for people and places, said the impact would be multi-faceted.
She said: “The programme promotes social cohesion and instils pride in places, making them more attractive to live, work and visit.”
Councillors in Mid Suffolk will be discussing an identical motion tomorrow.