Decision details

To enter into a contract with Tess Beck, Suzanne Barratt and Jess Williams for the purposes of content creation and design of the Public Art Trail printed map and digital online content.

Recognising the limited information available to visitors and residents about Cheltenham’s public art assets, the Public Art Panel is now looking to strengthen awareness of the public art and has allocated section 106 public art funding to achieve this, in the form of a printed map and digital online content. To enable the Council to deliver the art trail project it is necessary to enter into a contract with a third party to create engaging content and a new collection of high-quality photography, documenting all public artworks. A procurement exercise has taken place and following receipt of eight bids the team of Tess Beck, Suzanne Barratt and Jess Williams was selected by members of the Public Art Panel. This decision notice provides the relevant authority to enter in the relevant contract with these artists for the sum of £10,000.

The size, scale and specific skillset required of the project was compared against the existing resources, skills and capabilities within the council and it was determined that contracting with a third party would be lower risk, would provide the best value for money for the Council, and result in optimum outcomes. The Council also considered not proceeding with the project, however, this was rejected due to the fact that the project is a fundamental part of section 106 spending.

A number of ward members sit on the Public Art Panel, which is in support of the project. A printed version of the art trail has been included into the project as a result of feedback from ward members who sit on the Public Art Panel. The Civic Society has been consulted and fully supports the project.