Decision details

Exceptional events 2012

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To update members and seek approval for plans and resources for events to celebrate and maximise the economic impact of the Olympics and Lancashire Witches 400.

Decisions:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)

 

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Community Engagement to update members and seek approval for plans and resources for events to celebrate and maximise the economic impact of the Olympics.

 

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

 

 

 

Option 1:Notes the update, determines whether £40K or £50K is to be recommended, and seeks Council approval at the beginning of February, to allow earlier progress towards festivals and events for 2012 and 2013 – as set out in paragraph 3.3. above.

Option 2: Notes the update, determines whether £40K or £50K growth be proposed, but does not agree to seek early budget update and delays any decision until budget council at the end of February 2012.

Option 3:Notes the update and decides to provide some funding to cover the necessary health and safety costs associated with the torch passing through the district.

Advantages

It will encourage visitors to the district at the time – supporting the regeneration priority.

Unprecedented local,

regional, national and

international coverage of the district – raising the profile of Lancaster and

Morecambe long term as an attractive place to visit/stay, supporting the

regeneration of the district.

It will help potential visitors to geographically locate Lancaster / Morecambe as a visitor destination close to the Lake District,

It will demonstrate to other potential event organisers that this district is able to successfully host

international scale events.

This again supports the regeneration priority.

It will be an enormous

opportunity for the

community to come

together and enjoy a once in a lifetime experience.

It will also help to enhance the community’s sense of

pride in the district.

It will raise the profile of sport amongst local people and provide a springboard to encourage regular

exercise and sporting

opportunities.

Creates certainty and planning time for businesses who will benefit from the events

Supports the council’s priorities and a significant element of the council’s Visitor Marketing Plan

Council is able to make any decision within the overall context of setting its budget for 2012/13.

Allows the Torch to pass through the district safely.

Disadvantages

Decision taken ahead of wider budget setting context.

Resource implications – people and financial.

Failure to realise the massive benefits this event might bring

 

 

 

 

 

Option 1 was the officer preferred option.  Cabinet needed to take a decision with regard to the Council’s commitment to this exceptional event in 2012. The earlier a decision could be made the more this would assist in planning for the event.

 

 

Councillor Sands proposed, seconded by Councillor Smith:-

 

 

“(1)      That at its next meeting, Council be recommended to establish a Reserve of £40K in 2012/13 for the Olympic Torch Event and the allocation of this funding be determined by Cabinet following the production of a detailed programme of events.

 

(2)        That subject to the approval of the Apprenticeship Growth Bid as part of the main budget process, this be used to provide assistance with the preparations for the Events, if required.”

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

(1)        That at its next meeting, Council be recommended to establish a Reserve of £40K in 2012/13 for the Olympic Torch Event and the allocation of this funding be determined by Cabinet following the production of a detailed programme of events.

 

(2)        That subject to the approval of the Apprenticeship Growth Bid as part of the main budget process, this be used to provide assistance with the preparations for the Events, if required.

 

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

 

Head of Community Engagement

 

Reasons for making the decision:

 

The Council has a tradition of supporting festivals and events which directly support Council priorities and this fits with the priorities in relation to Economic Regeneration – Visitor Economy and Partnership Working and Community Leadership.  An early decision from Cabinet with regard to the Council’s commitment would assist in planning for this exceptional event.

 

Report author: Gill Haigh

Publication date: 25/01/2012

Date of decision: 17/01/2012

Decided at meeting: 17/01/2012 - Cabinet

Effective from: 28/01/2012

Accompanying Documents: