Councillors have voted down a motion calling for a review of public funding for Storyhouse, following controversy over its planned 'Mini Pride' event.

Tabled by Reform UK councillor Mandy Clare, the motion called for Cheshire West and Chester Council to re-examine its contractual and funding arrangements with the Chester venue.

The move was prompted by Storyhouse's planned 'Mini Pride' event for children aged three to seven, which also drew criticism from the leader of the borough's Conservative group, who had previously written to the venue describing the event as "wholly inappropriate" for children of that age.

The motion called on council officers to undertake "an urgent and comprehensive review" of Storyhouse's contractual arrangements, including funding terms, oversight mechanisms and compliance with the council's safeguarding and equality obligations.

It stated: "Published accounts show that Cheshire West and Chester Council gave £1.1 million per annum to Storyhouse in each of the following years - 2023, 2024 and 2025 - for cultural activities aligned with the borough plan priorities, such as community outreach and youth education."

The motion added: "Children under seven are at a developmental stage where they typically do not yet have a clear or firm understanding even of their own sex or that of others, making such promotion contentious, potentially developmentally inappropriate and disturbing, and therefore raising safeguarding concerns."

Speaking during the extraordinary meeting of full council, Cllr Clare said: "It is almost impossible to argue there is no ideological agenda being pushed on three- to seven-year-olds, in our name as funders, where an event called Mini Pride is housed under the Storyhouse queer umbrella and involves something called 'inclusive storytime'.

"While inclusivity is vital, we must question whether introducing themes associated with pride, often tied to adult concepts of gender identity, sexuality and even kink and fetish, is truly appropriate for toddlers as young as three years old."

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Conservative group leader Cllr Adrian Waddelove, who proposed an amendment to the motion, said his party would not support "the proposition of removing funding for Storyhouse".

He said: "This is the second time I've raised significant concerns directly with the chief executive regarding events hosted there.

"My most recent letter concerns the Mini Pride event taking place this Saturday."

He added that the response he received was "reassuring", stating that children attending the event would not be asked to discuss sexual identity or sexual orientation - topics he said were "wholly inappropriate for children aged three to seven".

Cllr Waddelove also said he had been contacted by dozens of residents who supported his position, adding that some were reluctant to speak publicly.

"No one in the Conservative group has ever said, intended to, or even hinted at defunding Storyhouse," he said.

"However, it is a publicly funded venue paid for by taxpayers right across the Cheshire West and Chester borough.

"As elected councillors, we have an important scrutiny role to ensure that taxpayers get value for money and that events are appropriate."

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Numerous Labour councillors spoke strongly against the motion, describing it as politically motivated and an attack on artistic freedom.

Cllr Katrina Kerr for Chester City and The Garden Quarter, where Storyhouse is located, said she had also received messages from residents who were "appalled" by the motion.

"Arts funding exists to protect creativity and freedom of expression, not to punish it," Cllr Kerr added.

"This much is clearly not about content, this is about control. Today is an attack on LGBTQ families.

"Storyhouse is the beating heart of Chester's cultural life. It is used and loved by a huge cross-section of our community, and that is exactly why it deserves public support."

Cllr Kerr also noted that, according to the 2021 Census, 9.3 per cent of residents in her ward identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or other - substantially higher than the national average.

"This event is about arts and crafts and underlines kindness and inclusion - things the world needs more of, not less," she said.

Later in the debate, Labour councillor Ben Walker accused the Conservatives of politicising the issue by proposing an amendment to the motion.

He said: "You might not say 'defund Storyhouse', but by making this a political issue you put its public funding on the chopping block.

"Storyhouse is secure with us. And it will always be secure with us."

Annabel Turpin, chief executive of Storyhouse, had previously said the venue would "engage constructively" with any review.

She said: "Mini Pride is a family-friendly creative event for children aged three to seven and their parents and carers, who are present at all times.

"It is designed around themes well established in early years education - kindness, creativity, imagination, difference and belonging."

She added: "It does not involve sexual content, sexual behaviour, or adult concepts of sexuality. We remain confident that Mini Pride is appropriate, responsibly delivered, and consistent with our charitable purpose and public duties."