This is the list of documents available for the submission Motion by Bailie Christie Mearns:- Glasgow's identity as a vibrant, internationally renowned cultural city has been built on the strength of its artists, venues, grassroots organisations, and accessible creative spaces. From music and visual arts to performance and community-led initiatives, culture is fundamental to the city's social fabric, economic vitality, and global reputation. Council recognises significant strides which have recently been made in Glasgow's cultural development, including the refurbishment of the Burrell Collection which has recently received the Design Effectiveness Silver Award; celebrates work which is ongoing to develop culture as a driver of regeneration in the Sauchiehall Street Culture & Heritage District project; and notes ongoing, local investment into Glasgow's museums and collections, which continue to be provided free of charge to Glasgow's residents and visitors. However, Council notes with concern the many challenges facing Glasgow's cultural sector. While the recent closure of the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) on Sauchiehall Street was not within the Council's control, it is important to acknowledge this has had an impact on other culture organisations and practitioners and has damaged the vibrancy of this part of the city. Council understands that Creative Scotland, as the building's owner, is working on options for its future, and that both the Council and Glasgow Life have interests in ensuring that the city's cultural needs and the regeneration aspirations for the immediate local area are reflected in whatever happens next with the venue. Council also notes concerns over rising rents and uncapped service charges proposed for the organisations based at Trongate 103, which risks placing them under unsustainable financial pressure. Council recognises that engagement has taken place over several years with the tenants of Trongate 103 to bring forward a sustainable operating and rental model, however believes that current proposals (of the Council's landlord, City Property) do not go far enough to protect many of these cultural organisations from the threat of closure. Council recognises that without greater collective intervention, important cultural anchor organisations within Trongate 103, such as Glasgow Print Studio, Project Ability, StreetLevel Photoworks, Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre, Transmission Gallery, Glasgow Independent Studio and GMAC may be put in serious jeopardy, along with all of the artists and communities that sustain, and are sustained by, them. Council also recognises that if additional steps are not taken, the original creative purpose agreed for the building, prior to its opening in 2009, to provide a long-term home for arts and culture may be undermined. This mission was made possible with public funding, including from Glasgow City Council, Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and which resulted in the successful rebrand of Merchant City and Trongate as the Culture Quarter. Council therefore notes with concern that current pressures, relating to increasing rents and service charges, may instead result in artists, communities and key organisations being displaced or forced to close. Council further notes that long-standing tenants, who have contributed to its success over 17 years, since launching as a flagship cultural hub, are under threat due to changes in property management which took place after this building was set up. In line with positive commitments made in Glasgow's Cultural Strategy 2024-2030, this Council believes that: 1. Culture is a public good that must be actively supported and protected; 2. Affordable, stable spaces are essential for creative practice to thrive; 3. Glasgow's reputation as a cultural leader depends on meaningful, long-term investment and policy support. This Council therefore resolves to: 1. Engage urgently with tenants, partners and funders to consider the sustainability of rent and service charge increases for Trongate 103 tenants, explore funding options to mitigate the impact of rent increases and review opportunities for service charge reductions; 2. Work with cultural organisations, artists, and community groups to develop a Cultural Protection Strategy that safeguards key venues and supports the long-term sustainability of the sector; 3. Investigate options for increasing the availability of affordable, cultural spaces across the city and exploring the option of purchasing venues from City Property if there is likely to be an ongoing tension in respect of its remit, recognising that there will be a number of legal, financial and governance implications that will need to be considered; 4. Advocate to the Scottish Government for increased funding and policy support to address the culture funding crisis, and restate the need for national funding to support Glasgow's galleries and museums; 5. Write to the Scottish Government requesting the introduction of a Universal Basic Income pilot for artists, like Ireland recently delivered and is now making permanent; 6. Request that the Leader of the Council writes to the Minister for Public Finance to seek a further review of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 to consider the inclusion of appropriate arms-length organisations of local authorities into the scope of the Act and within the schedule of public service bodies it applies to.".

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