Agenda item

DECISION

That it be recommend to Full Council:

1.    To agree Boston Borough Council’s submission of an application for the town to receive City Status as part of the competition to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

2.    To delegate authority to Councillor Richard Austin, in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), to approve and submit the application for City Status by the deadline of 8^th December 2021

Portfolio Holders and Officer

PS/MS

REASON FOR DECISION

The Leader presented a report, which set out the details of a draft application that officers were working on with partners to submit for Boston to receive City Status as part of a competition launched to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

The application form instructions and entry guidelines were appended the report as Appendix A and B.  A campaign engagement plan had been circulated separately as Appendix C. 

Boston’s City Status application supported Priority 1 People Focussed and 2 Future Prosperity, Regeneration and Inclusive Growth in Boston’s Corporate Strategy. 

City Status would raise the profile of Boston as a place to live, visit and invest in and would support the Town Investment Plan (Town Deal), bolstering the growth objectives as a regional sub-centre of the County.

There would be a minimal budget requirement.  The Government was asking local authorities to submit their entries in a standard size and format to help minimise the expense of entering the competitions and to provide the Government with a fair basis for comparison and assessment of the entries received.

Promotional activities could be integrated into existing contracts and resources and information could be gathered from the Communications team, Boston Town Deal Board, Social Change (Empowering Healthy Communities) and the Community Champion Network as well as local businesses, Transported, Boston BIG Local and Community Groups

An internal project team had been established, which met regularly and followed an action plan for preparation of the bid and to enable communications and engagement.  Partners and stakeholders had been identified and were listed in the report. 

Planned communication/engagement had commenced with Boston’s intention to apply for City Status, launched in July and picked up by Lincolnshire Live, and there had been further media coverage since.

A communications and engagement plan would be supported by the project team and ensure engagement with all partners and stakeholders. A partnership approach to Boston’s application would utilise existing and established networks, including the Boston Town Deal Board, Boston Borough Council communications team and the Community Champion Network.

Existing contracts for Pride of Place and the Town Deal will support the delivery of a proactive communications and engagement plan.

The timeline and milestones were set out in the report with the intention of reporting to Full Council on 22 November in time for the deadline for submission of applications on 8 December 2021.

Cabinet was asked to agree the Council’s submission of the application and to delegate authority to the Portfolio Holder in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive (Growth) to approve and submit the application for City Status by the deadline of 8^th December 2021.

During debate, Members noted the “minimal budget requirements” stated in the report and there was a query regarding the number of interested community groups and how would they be involved.

The Deputy Chief Executive explained that the budget had not yet been finalised; however, the majority of work would be carried out in-house with the help of stakeholders and partners.  Information relating to community groups was appended to the report. 

Members described the opportunity to apply for city status as wonderful, one that would instil pride in the area and stimulate excitement, even if city status itself was not achieved.

The Chief Executive referred to the honour that city status would convey; this was a rare opportunity and very worthwhile pursuing.

The Leader commented on the positive impact of the application and its advantages for businesses.

The Deputy Chief Executive reported phenomenal feedback from the Historic Place Panel after their recent visit; they had commended Boston’s heritage and ambitious plans.  There had also been very positive television coverage.

OTHER OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

No other options were considered given the deadline for the bid submission.

Guidance was sought on the eligibility of Boston becoming a Royal Borough. Places have to be explicitly granted or confirmed the use of the title "royal" by royal charter, letters patent or similar instrument issued by the monarch. Since 1926 the entitlement to the title "royal borough" has been strictly enforced.

RECORD OF ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

RECORD OF ANY DISPENSATION GRANTED

None.

These decisions will come into force (and may then be implemented) on the expiry of five clear working days after the date of this notice UNLESS the decisions are subjected to the Call-In procedure or are starred minutes requiring Full Council approval.