Agenda item

Members are asked to note the Committee’s forward plan.

The Committee noted the forward plan.

The Committee asked that updates on the Billingsgate Baths be submitted to the Committee (see action point).

On the event scheduled to take place on 05 February 2026, Members asked what communication plan is in place to share ahead of the event. The meeting noted that a narrative will be drafted for the event. Members also noted that the final cultural strategy has not yet been approved by the Committee though a range of proposed strategies is already in the public domain, some elements of which may be communicated, the fundamentals of the strategy having been agreed and in the public domain. Members agreed that a briefing will be provided ahead of the 05 February event.

In response to a question on the timeframe for the cultural strategy launch, Members heard that the strategy is expected to be launched in May 2026 subject to any amendments.

Noting the recent state visit by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany in early December 2025, a Member asked that closer engagement with Remembrancer’s take place on similar events to ensure that the cultural impact be exploited, and asked whether the Committee is expecting to be engaged with events around the 250^th anniversary of American independence in 2026. The meeting noted that discussions are ongoing with the SLT to ensure that culture is an integral part of proceedings and speeches, noting also that work is ongoing with Remembrancer’s to ensure that American independence events are foregrounded.  

In response to question on the nature of the February 2026 event, the meeting heard that the event replaces the Committee’s annual dinner and is focussed on inviting as many external stakeholders as possible.

A Member asked for more detail on the Forward Plan on some procedural elements.