St Neots’ bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028 has received a significant boost, with Cambridgeshire County Council voting to formally support the town’s expression of interest at its full council meeting.

The motion was brought by Councillor Geoffrey Seeff (Lib Dem, St Neots The Eatons) and seconded by Councillor Laurence Damary-Homan (Lib Dem, Sawston and Shelford). It called on the council to provide practical backing to St Neots and Huntingdon as they pursue their respective bids. Support was unanimous and cross-party, with councillors from across the chamber speaking in favour.

Councillor Sarah Caine (Lib Dem, St Neots East and Gransden), who lives in the town and sits on the Cambridgeshire cultural board, gave particular praise to Neotists CIC, describing them as “a group of people in the community who are really passionate and dedicated” and saying the bid “really embodies the spirit and passion of St Neots.” She argued the competition represents a chance to invest in local talent, strengthen community pride, attract visitors and boost the local economy.

Councillor Liam Beckett (Lib Dem, Brampton and Buckden), who declared an interest as a non-executive director of Huntingdon BID, spoke warmly of both towns, highlighting St Neots’ track record of grassroots cultural delivery. He noted that the competition could unlock up to £3 million for a cultural programme with a lasting legacy of jobs, facilities and civic pride.

Councillor Mike Black (Labour, Arbury) reflected on the broader economic significance of culture, noting that the bidding process itself generates long-lasting gains regardless of outcome. Councillor Elliot Tong (Green, Abbey) offered his group’s support, describing both St Neots and Huntingdon as “absolutely lovely places” with much to offer.

Councillor Robin Wyatt (Lib Dem, St Neots Priory Park and Little Paxton) also expressed her strong support for the bid.

Councillor Seeff, summing up, drew on his own experience running a community arts festival and serving as an Arts Council assessor for capital projects. The mere act of identifying a town’s unique strengths, he said, brings about positive change in itself, with impacts on regeneration, inward investment, tourism and civic pride that can be “incalculable.”

The council confirmed that practical support, if either town is shortlisted, could include access to library facilities, county archives, officer liaison, and potentially school activities through the music services team. Councillor Seeff noted that the county council’s formal endorsement allows St Neots to confirm in its expression of interest that it has the backing of Cambridgeshire County Council, which he said carries significant weight with evaluators.