Minutes:
(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)
Cabinet received a report from the Head of Community Engagement to update on plans for celebrating the forthcoming Olympic Games, and to provide and seek approval of the budgetary information requested by Council at its meeting on 1 February, 2012.
The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:
|
|
Option 1: Approve proposal as outlined |
Option 2: Do not approve proposal as outlined |
Option 3: Approve part of proposal as outlined |
|
Advantages |
The torch is a once in a lifetime event. It will generate excitement, community spirit, pride and new or renewed interest in sport, health and wellbeing, as well as new interest in our district as a destination. The budget will enable a safe and successful event |
Risk to the ability to host the event |
Risk to the ability to benefit more fully from the event |
|
Disadvantages |
Money not used for other purposes |
District does not benefit fully from the opportunities such an event presents |
District does not fully benefit from the event opportunities |
|
Risks |
The budget includes some estimates, although they err on the side of caution. Sponsorship, which is currently assumed to balance the budget, may not be forthcoming. |
The event is not properly resourced, a lack of confidence from outside agencies, potential reputation issues with the public, fail to capitalise on benefits event can bring as outlined in advantages section of option 1 |
As with option 2 |
Option 1 was the officer preferred option. The torch was a once in a lifetime event. It will generate excitement, community spirit, pride and new or renewed interest in sport, health and wellbeing, as well as new interest in our district as a destination. The budget will enable a safe and successful event.
Councillor Sands proposed, seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox:-
“(1) That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”
Councillors then voted:-
Resolved unanimously:
(1) That the plans and budget information be noted and approved.
(2) That the 2012/13 General Fund Revenue Budget be updated to reflect the use of the approved ‘Olympic Torch Appeal’ Reserve.
Officers responsible for effecting the decision:
Head of Community Engagement
Head of Financial Services
Reasons for making the decision:
The decision fits with the corporate plan priorities:
§ Economic Regeneration – Visitor Economy
The torch was a once in a lifetime event which would generate excitement, community spirit, pride and new or renewed interest in sport, health and wellbeing, as well as new interest in our district as a destination. The budget would enable a safe and successful event. Whilst the currently estimated cost of the programme exceeded the £40,000 sum set aside in the reserve it was recognised that balancing the budget was partly dependent on securing sponsorship. The decision would enable officers to seek and secure early and firm commitment to sponsorship and progress with, and any significant changes to, the proposed programme would be reported via the established performance management channels.