Following the collapse of Coventry City of Culture Trust and the opening of an investigation into its finances by the Charity Commission, we call upon the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to order an independent investigation of the Coventry City of Culture Trust and involved delivery partners.  

We ask for the investigation to look not only at the financial management, but selection of leadership, training, culture, systems, structures, processes, procurement, partnerships, evaluation, community involvement and engagement to reveal the true actions and outcomes of the programme in Coventry.

We would expect such an inquiry to draw on not only evidence from Directors, SMT members and staff of the organisation, but citizens of Coventry who have expressed concern at the failure of the programme to engage with them and their concerns and are now concerned that the promised legacy and regeneration of the city is in jeopardy. 

An inquiry would give the opportunity for not just Coventry City but DCMS to learn from the failure of the Trust and take action to prevent both the City of Culture programme and future Cultural initiatives in Coventry from failing in the same way. 

Since key figures involved in Coventry City of Culture are now employed in high profile positions elsewhere, this inquiry is urgent to prevent both loss of data and similar actions leading to the failure of other projects.