Cultural Services Delivery and Management of Cultural Assets

The Contracting Authority is implementing a revised cultural delivery model to ensure continuity and sustainability of cultural services and assets across the three Councils forming the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (SELCP) - Boston Borough Council, East Lindsey District Council, and South Holland District Council.

The Councils' have identified cultural delivery as a strategic and operational risk, requiring a timely and stable delivery solution to maintain and enhance service provision and protect key community assets.

The proposed approach to utilise Magna Vitae ensures that key services and facilities remain operational and aligned with future governance arrangements. Magna Vitae have an existing contract with East Lindsey District Council for the provision of cultural services that expires on the 31st March 2040.

Magna Vitae have an established delivery model within this sector and geography. They have been identified as uniquely positioned due to their:

• Proven track record of delivery in areas within the geographic area;
• Established relationships with key stakeholders (including national bodies such as Arts Council England); and their established international cultural partnerships that will bring unique and direct benefits to the area.
• Demonstrable capability, resources and sector expertise;
• Existing integration with local cultural infrastructure and partnerships.

As part of a recent leisure agency procurement, and separate market engagement exercises a number of cultural venues were initially tested to gauge interest. The outcome of this was that there was minimal interest from the market for these sites and service provision.

The Council's intention to make a direct award to Magna Vitae is based on "expanding" the existing arrangement that East Lindsey District Council (a member of the SELCP) have to:

• Deliver certainty and consistency;
• Easily integrate with existing services;
• Ensure stakeholder continuity;
• Ensure Programme deliverability.

It is considered that by having fragmented delivery models across the three Councils, there would be increased costs and inefficiencies.

The authority considers that the proposed direct award represents a proportionate and justified approach, aligned to strategic objectives, delivery requirements, and programme constraints. The decision has been informed by option appraisal, risk assessment, and consideration of value for money, and is

considered necessary to secure service authority and long-term sustainability of cultural provision across the Partnership.