Last night (15 July 2025), Cabinet gave the go-ahead to establish a charitable company, controlled by the council, to deliver London Borough of Culture 2027 for the community from May 2027 through to March 2028.
It follows eighteen months of extensive research, development and engagement with both local partners and the community, alongside wider collaborators with experience of hosting the prestigious programme.
The additional development period, compared to other boroughs who have hosted the award, has provided the opportunity to carefully explore new and innovative approaches to ensure that the delivery of the programme will showcase Haringey’s incredible creative talent.
A council-founded charity will be independent and responsive to the needs of the programme while also being able to lean into the expertise of the in-house culture team and partners. It will also have the ability to reduce demand on the local authority’s resources by bringing in external support through sponsorship not available to a council-hosted function.
Cllr Emily Arkell, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, said:
This decision is major step forward as we welcome London and the world to Haringey and deliver a year of culture that is accessible and resonates with all our diverse communities as the ‘rebel borough’.
The longer lead in time has allowed us to take a step back, carry out a detailed review of delivery options and highlighted the need for a bespoke, sustainable, and agile delivery mechanism suited to Haringey’s ambitions and context.
A charity will support legacy-building beyond 2028, allows for external funding not readily available to us and ensures continued council control. The approach also enables flexibility to wind down or repurpose the charity following programme completion.
London Borough of Culture 2027 provides an opportunity to showcase the creativity and culture here in Haringey and enable our young people to see that creative industries are a place for them to build a fulfilling career.
The council will establish a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee, which is a not-for-profit organisation registered with both Companies House and the Charity Commission.
It ensures continued council control through sole membership and board appointment rights, while maintaining appropriate independence and public benefit safeguards.
