Councillors unite behind Portsmouth City of Culture bid

Cross-party support has been thrown behind Portsmouth’s UK City of Culture 2029 bid, despite concerns about whether investment would reach every part of the city.

Councillors have backed Portsmouth Creates as the organisation leads the city’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029, although concerns were raised over how any future funding would be spent.

Introducing the notice of motion, council leader Steve Pitt said: “This is a verbatim motion proposed for us to consider by Portsmouth Creates who are the lead partner, the organisation this council is funding and supporting leading on our UK city of culture bid we are Pompey 2029.”

He said the city was “building up ahead of steam”, with Portsmouth100 events, banners “popping up” across the city and the Lion’s Trail “proving to be really popular”.

“If we can do all this with a pretty limited budget for our centenary year think what we could do with those enormous resources that will come to us if we have the title.”

The successful city will receive £10m from central government, alongside additional investment and economic growth.

Bradford, which held the title last year, is expected to attract £200m of inward investment and generate around £389m for the local economy.

Beyond the financial benefits, Cllr Pitt said the bid would give councillors and residents the chance to “celebrate what an incredible place this actually is” because “we’re all really passionate about our city”.

“This is an opportunity for it to really shine, we’re seeing it light up but this could take it on a whole new level.”

Speaking about young people, he said pupils “who get access to regular and meaningful cultural activity both in classroom setting and outside of it will do better in their science technology engineering and maths results and we want our children and young people to thrive”.

He added that taking part in cultural activities helps young people’s self-confidence to grow.

He said employers, both local and further afield, value “soft skills” such as self-confidence and teamwork, which are developed through cultural activities.

Cllr Pitt also said he had received letters of support from the leader of Hampshire County Council, the chief executive of Brittany Ferries and the mayor of Maizuru, the Japanese city twinned with Portsmouth, who has pledged to write a letter of support.

Councillor Emily Strudwick, leader of the Reform UK group and the official opposition, said “investment into the city is always great” but she would “hope” the money would be spread “wisely” rather than being concentrated in the south of the city.

Highlighting her concerns, she said Drayton and Farlington ward does not have a lion as part of the trail.