Freelance Consultancy Brief: Strengthening Community Voice in Cultural Decision-Making

Background

In 2024–25, Salford CVS, on behalf of Salford Culture and Place Partnership (SCPP), used UK Shared Prosperity Fund resources to commission research into community consultation and accessibility in Salford’s cultural sector. Building on this foundation, Salford City Council is now commissioning a follow-on piece of work to help us realise our ambition to embed genuine community representation in cultural decision-making. This next phase aims to create an action plan that will inform the development of a lasting strategy and framework for inclusive engagement. 

Salford has also submitted an application to the Arts Council England Creative People and Places (CPP) programme. The outcome, expected in October 2025, could have significant bearing to this work. The successful applicant will be expected to actively engage the potential CPP consortium and consider their approach in relation to both a successful and unsuccessful CPP outcome. 

This work also aligns with the Arts Council England’s Joint Cultural Needs Assessment (JCNA) framework, which supports place-based cultural planning through evidence-led collaboration. The JCNA encourages local authorities and partners to use data and community insight to shape inclusive, responsive cultural strategies that reflect the needs and aspirations of local people.

About the Salford Culture and Place Partnership

The Salford Culture and Place Partnership (SCPP) is the city’s strategic leadership group for culture, creativity, and placemaking. It brings together partners from the cultural, community, education and public sectors to deliver a shared vision for Salford as a vibrant, inclusive and creative city.

SCPP led the development of Suprema Lex – Salford’s Strategy for Culture, Creativity and Place, which puts people at the heart of cultural planning. The strategy champions Salford as a city of makers and doers, with a focus on inclusion, neighbourhood-based delivery and sector leadership. SCPP coordinates cultural investment, supports collaboration and ensures culture contributes to the city’s wider social and economic goals.

Purpose

SCPP is committed to developing a strategic model that uses creative action research, deep engagement and collaboration to amplify underrepresented voices in cultural decision making. The consultant will work with community-facing organisations and networks to gather insights and propose practical, actionable next steps that will lead to the development of this model.

Key aims

• Map the landscape: Understand how community voice is currently represented through existing organisations, networks and governance models.
• Engage strategically: Consult with key partners, community leaders, and cultural stakeholders to identify strengths and gaps.
• Strengthen representation: Recommend ways to embed community voice more effectively in cultural decision-making and long-term strategy.
• Support legacy: Contribute to the evaluation, assessment and viability of potential future models (for example civic assemblies, civic juries, community champion networks etc).

Expected outputs

• Stakeholder map: A clear overview of organisations, groups, and individuals involved in community representation.
• Strategic recommendations: A concise report outlining findings, opportunities, and next steps.
• Action plan: A practical, step-by-step costed plan for SCPP to adopt, setting out how to embed community voice in future cultural strategy and decision-making.
• Engagement framework: A proposed model for ongoing collaboration between cultural decision-makers and community-based organisations including a draft brief for follow-on work in the next phase.

Who should apply

We welcome proposals from:

• Consultants or organisations with experience in strategic engagement, cultural planning, or community development.
• Those with a strong understanding of inclusive practice and the cultural landscape in Salford or Greater Manchester.
• Providers with a track record of working with networks, partnerships, or systems-level change.

Applications

Interested parties must submit their applications to sally.cook@salford.gov.uk by 28 August at 5pm.

Application deadline: 28 August 2025 
Interviews: 16 September 2025

Required details

• Name, address, and contact details
• Applicant type: Freelance consultant or organisation 
• Mini-bio, track record and CV (max 250 words each) or LinkedIn profile links of applicant/team members involved 
• Covering letter, outlining approach/methodology, of no more than one page 
• Clear budget outlining project costs and fees, specifying contributors, allocated days, and rates
• Description of two recent creative projects/commissions engaging Salford/Greater Manchester communities (max 250 words each), with client references
• Optional: One additional page of visuals or case studies illustrating past work.

Selection criteria

• Proven track record in high-quality creative consultation, socially engaged practice, and co-creation projects
• Minimum three years’ experience in similar work
• Relevant skills, knowledge, and experience of proposed team members where applicable
• Clear, coherent methodology
• Experience of designing or contributing to strategic planning and development
• Contribution to Salford’s arts, culture, and heritage landscape
• Realistic, well-structured project budget
• Commitment to paying at least the Real Living Wage (£12 per hour) where applicable
• Value for money