Principles met

  • We will develop systems that enable citizens to be equal partners in designing and commissioning public services and in determining the use of public resources.
  • We will promote community-based approaches to economic development that focus on supporting the creation of jobs, social enterprises and other businesses and providing an environment for co-operative and mutual enterprises to thrive.
  • We will capture and ‘expand’ the experience and learning from individual projects and approaches in order to encourage broader application of co-operative principles within individual member Councils and across the Network.
  • We will support the development of a framework and criteria for social value, giving substance to the concept and supporting Councils with the tools to ensure better local social and economic outcomes.

Event at Charleston in Lewes

Promoting community wealth and wellbeing has been a priority in Lewes District Council’s work over the last 5 years. One of the ways we have realised this approach has been through making use of council buildings and resources to support arts and culture which has enhanced our local economy.

The council leased its offices in the centre of Lewes to Charleston Trust, an arts & heritage organisation focused on the Bloomsbury Group in Sussex. The initial lease was for 5 years for an exhibition space, café and education and training facilities. However, an economic impact assessment has been carried out and subsequently a decision has been made in March 2025 by Cabinet to grant a 25 year lease to the Charleston Trust based on the benefits already demonstrated but also support the trust’s vision for the gallery to become a permanent national gallery which, in partnership with other galleries in the country, could display the most important Bloomsbury Works and other works of national significance in Sussex.

For further information contact: