Decision details

As part of the half yearly monitoring and update arrangements of the approved MTFS, issues that require key decisions to be taken may well arise. It is planned that Property, Finance and Human Resources will also be included in this report.

(Councillors Ashworth and Kerr having both previously declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item as members of Morecambe Town Council left the meeting prior to consideration of this item.)

In accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman agreed to consider the report as an item of urgent business to enable officers to know at an early stage the money available for next year’s festivals and events.

The Head of Community Engagement presented a report to inform Cabinet of the outcome of the review of 2010 festivals and to bring forward proposals for the 2011 Festivals and Events Programme within the framework of the medium term financial strategy and Corporate Plan objectives.

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

There was no officer preferred option.

Councillor Langhorn proposed, seconded by Councillor Robinson:

“(1)      That Cabinet notes the review of 2010 festivals and events.

(2)        That Cabinet agrees in principle to the 2011 Events Programme but request further work be undertaken on the funding of those festivals, in particular to maximise income to those festivals and events.

(3)        That Cabinet supports in principle the merging of these budgets to provide greater flexibility and as a means to reduce costs.

(4)        That the Revenue Budget and budget projection be updated.”

By way of an amendment it was proposed by Councillor Barry and seconded by Councillor Fletcher:

“That the sum allocated to the festivals and events budget be reduced to £35K at this stage.”

Councillors then voted on the amendment.

2 Members voted in favour of the amendment (Councillors Barry and Fletcher) and 4 Members against (Councillors Blamire, Bryning, Langhorn and Robinson), whereupon the Chairman declared the amendment to be lost.

Councillors then voted on the original proposal.

Resolved:

(4 Members voted in favour (Councillors Blamire, Bryning, Langhorn and Robinson) and 2 Members abstained (Councillors Barry and Fletcher.)

(1)        That Cabinet notes the review of 2010 festivals and events.

(2)        That Cabinet agrees in principle to the 2011 Events Programme but request further work be undertaken on the funding of those festivals, in particular to maximise income to those festivals and events.

(3)        That Cabinet supports in principle the merging of these budgets to provide greater flexibility and as a means to reduce costs.

(4)        That the Revenue Budget and budget projection be updated.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Community Engagement

Head of Financial Services.

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision enables the Council to work with partners to develop a co-ordinated plan towards event delivery for 2011, and explore sponsorship opportunities as a means to reduce costs whilst the establishment of a general fund rather than specifically allocating funds to each core event will enable greater flexibility to support the objectives of festivals and events for the City Council.