The Neath Port Talbot cultural landscape has a new figure at its helm as Gemma Charnock takes up the role of independent chair of the Neath Port Talbot Culture Partnership. Her appointment coincides with the Partnership’s work to finalise a bid to make Port Talbot one of the inaugural UK Town of Culture 2028 winners.
Experienced leader to co-ordinate local bid efforts
Ms Charnock is Vice Principal of Corporate Services and Group Company Secretary at the NPTC Group of Colleges and is a qualified solicitor with more than 20 years’ experience. The Partnership says she brings expertise in collaborative leadership, governance and partnership working — skills that will be central as organisations across Neath Port Talbot prepare the submission.
The Partnership acts as the delivery body overseeing Port Talbot’s bid, with Neath Port Talbot Council serving as the accountable body. The bid must be submitted by 30 November, after which a national selection process will decide the eventual winner.
Community-led theme and stakes for the area
The bid’s theme, ‘Our Town; Our Story’, has been developed through community collaboration. Local residents, community groups, volunteers, businesses and interest groups have been invited to help shape the cultural activity that would form the year-long programme if the bid is successful.
If Port Talbot were to win, it would receive £3 million to deliver a year of cultural activity in 2028. The opportunity follows an initial entry from 398 places nationally, with Port Talbot named among 15 finalists competing for one of the inaugural titles.
"Culture has an important role to play in the future of Neath Port Talbot. It helps strengthen communities, celebrate our heritage, support creativity and create opportunities for people of all ages to take part in shaping the places where they live," the newly appointed chair said.
Ms Charnock added:
"The Port Talbot Town of Culture 2028 bid is an exciting opportunity to translate that ambition into action. While the bid is led by the Culture Partnership and Neath Port Talbot Council, it belongs to the community. The theme ‘Our Town; Our Story’ has emerged from the voices of local people and reflects the character, creativity and resilience that define Port Talbot."
Who is involved and what happens next
The Partnership and council are now focused on drawing together a final submission that reflects the priorities surfaced during recent community engagement. The bid process will require coordination across a broad range of local stakeholders.
- Delivery body: Neath Port Talbot Culture Partnership (chaired by Gemma Charnock)
- Accountable body: Neath Port Talbot Council
- Community input: residents, community groups, volunteers, businesses and interest groups
- Key deadline: bid submission by 30 November
- Possible funding: £3m for the winning town
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Initial applicants | 398 places |
| Finalists | 15 (including Port Talbot) |
| Bid submission deadline | 30 November |
| Prize for winner | £3m to fund a year of culture in 2028 |
The chair stressed that the project seeks to create a lasting legacy beyond the year itself, supporting local creativity and celebrating heritage across the county borough. The framing of the bid as belonging to the community aims to ensure that the proposed programme speaks to the lived experience and aspirations of Port Talbot residents.
For Neath and the surrounding communities, success would mean a focused year of cultural investment and activity with potential long-term benefits for local groups, grassroots arts organisations and small businesses. Even if Port Talbot does not win the national title, the process of pulling together a community-led cultural strategy has already encouraged collaboration between civic institutions, arts organisations and local people.
With weeks to go until the deadline, the Partnership’s work now turns to finalising plans that are ambitious yet deliverable, ensuring the story Port Talbot wants to tell is heard at a national level.
