Grayling Political Strategy: Public Relations

Mr. Hurd
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what payments Arts Council East has made to Grayling Political Strategy in the last 12 months; for what purpose; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the contract under which such payments have been made.

Margaret Hodge
Arts Council England has advised the following position on the subject of expenditure relating to Regional Cities East (RCE).

Regional Cities East is a partnership between Colchester borough council, Ipswich borough council, Luton borough council, Norwich city council, Peterborough city council, Southend-on-Sea borough council, Arts Council England East and the East of England Development Agency.

In 2008-09, RCE had an overall budget of £120,000 from the partners, including a £60,000 contribution from Arts Council East, to promote the world class arts and cultural assets of these key cities.

In November 2008 Colchester borough council, as budget holder for Regional Cities East, contracted Grayling to deliver the first stage of this programme. Their fee was £90,876.00 + VAT for an initial 12 months from 1 November 2008 to 31 October 2009 and this resulted in press coverage equivalent to an editorial value of £334,000.

ACE East has had no contract with Grayling.