Cabinet to Consider Commitment to Creative Sector

South Tyneside Council is looking to support the region's TV and Film production industry.

Last year the BBC pledged to increase production and support for the sector with a commitment to invest £25m in the North East over the next five years to fund TV production and talent development in the creative sector.

To capitalise on the BBC's announcement, the North East Screen Industries Partnership, made up of the North East's combined and local authorities, agreed to invest £11.4m over the same five-year period to deliver a new Screen Industries Development Programme.

South Tyneside Council's Cabinet will now consider plans to award funding to the programme. It aims to attract more inward investment and create "good-quality, well paid jobs" within the industry while developing, attracting, and retaining talent in the sector.

The scheme would include the scaling-up of the region's screen agency, Northern Film and Media to deliver increased activity, alongside a production development and support fund, with further opportunities to develop businesses and skills that the sector needs to thrive.

Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council said: "South Tyneside is one of 12 local authorities signed up a memorandum of understanding designed to breathe new life into our regional film and television industry.

"The BBC will spend at least £25m over the next five years right across the North East to fund network TV production, talent development and support for the creative sector and has referred to this as its biggest investment in the North East of England for decades as part of a new partnership with the region.

"This funding will allow us to develop and nurture the existing industry and help create the jobs of the future. The Council, together with regional partners is looking to harness BBC investment and use that to as to attract other production to our area.

"We already have a wealth of filming taking place across the borough and wider North East region. The contribution to the North East Screen Industries will help home grown and local talent right across the sector to secure opportunities and allow us to raise our profile for other potential film and television productions."

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the BBC and the North East region as a whole was signed on in September 2021 following discussions and agreement with the three regional Combined Authorities and individual local authorities across the region.

The North East Combined Authority, North of Tyne Combined Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority have committed financial resource to the partnership.

South Tyneside Council's cabinet will be asked to approve a financial contribution of £158,481 to be made via the North East Combined Authority (NECA) in respect of the development programme to be implemented during the 2022/23 financial year pursuant to the MoU from the provision for economic development within the specific economic development reserve.