Councillors will be urged to review public funding for a landmark arts venue over its running of a 'Mini Pride' event.

A notice of motion has been tabled by Reform councillor Mandy Clare calling for Cheshire West and Chester Council to re-examine its contractual and funding arrangements for Storyhouse Chester.

The move was prompted by the venue's planned hosting of a 'Mini Pride' event, which has also brought criticism from the leader of the borough's Conservative group.

Mini Pride is part of the venue's Storyhouse Queer list of events, described as 'a week celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Chester and beyond with theatre, music, dance, film and more'.

The venue's website describes the specific event as: "Ignite your imagination by taking part in fun activities from colourful arts and crafts to inclusive story times with our curious artists.

"This is a welcoming, relaxed space for families, be proud and celebrate with us! Suitable for kids ages three-seven and their families."

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

It states: "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 tabled by Cllr Clare – who has in the past been vocal on issues such as gender identity – 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, potential developmentally inappropriate and disturbing, and therefore raising safeguarding concerns."

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

She added: "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 that are well established in early years education – kindness, creativity, imagination, difference and belonging. It does not involve sexual content, sexual behaviour, or adult concepts of sexuality."

She added: "We remain confident that Mini Pride is appropriate, responsibly delivered, and consistent with our charitable purpose and public duties, and we will respond fully and transparently to the council as required."

The event was also recently criticised by Cllr Adrian Waddelove, leader of the Conservative group.

He wrote to the venue saying the event was 'wholly inapprropraite' for children of that age.

In a direct response to his letter, Ms Turpin wrote: "Public accountability does not require us to exclude lawful, age-appropriate activity because views differ; rather, it requires us to ensure that programming is responsibly curated, transparent, and accessible."

The notice of motion will be tabled at an extraordinary meeting of Full Council on Monday, February 9, where members will vote on whether or not to debate it.