Agenda item

Development of the 2015/16 Festival Programme

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)

 

Report of Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

Minutes:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Sands)

 

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning) which sought a decision as to whether to submit applications for external funding for the Light Up Lancaster and Vintage by the Sea Festivals.

 

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

 

 

Option 1: Seek and accept external funding for both festivals

Option 2: Do not seek external funding for either festival

Advantages

Opportunity to secure funding for one or both major festivals for 2015/16 and potential to enter into a ‘Northern Lights’ partnership to develop funding bids for Light up Lancaster from 2016/17 onwards

 

Enhancing the district’s festival programme and significantly contribute to the visitor and night time economy

 

The proposed ‘signature’ events would fit and raise the profile of the new approved destination brands developed for Lancaster and Morecambe Bay

 

Fits well with the emerging arts strategy for the district

and the aims of Marketing Lancashire

 

The ‘Northern Lights’ partnership should result in raising Lancaster’s profile regionally, nationally and internationally as a key visitor destination and lead to an increase in visitor numbers 

No officer time required to seek, secure and manage external funding

 

 

No need to redirect the entire arts development budget, therefore a number of smaller arts projects could be delivered in 2015/16, or savings could be taken`

 

No requirement to undertake the role of accountable body for external funding

 

 

Disadvantages

Officer time is required to seek, secure and manage external funding

 

Council would be required to provide match funding at the same levels as 2014/15

 

Redirection of Council resources from the arts development budget in its entirety for 2015/16 to deliver Light up Lancaster

 

 

Without external funding the festivals would have to be significantly scaled down

 

Reduction in visitor numbers and visitor spend from scaled down festivals

 

Might not achieve aims of arts strategy or Marketing Lancashire in terms of promoting the District as a key visitor destination

 

Might prevent the Council from being involved in the ‘Northern Lights’ partnership and gaining numerous benefits including longer term funding for a Lancaster based event

Risks

The Council would be the accountable body for some or all external funding

Significant lack of additional economic impact from scaled down festivals

 

 

Councillor Sands proposed, seconded by Councillor David Smith:-

 

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

 

Councillors then voted:-

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

(1)             That Cabinet gives delegated authority to relevant Chief Officers to bid for external funds (where relevant) for the Light up Lancaster and Vintage by the Sea Festivals, to take place in 2015/16, subject to them being within the Budget and Policy Framework.

(2)             That, subject to (1) above being successful in securing funding, the Council acts as accountable body where necessary, subject to being within the Budget and Policy Framework.

(3)             That Cabinet notes that due to urgent timescales a bid for £18,000 has already been submitted to Morecambe Town Council for the Vintage by the Sea Festival and has been successful. The City Council will be expected to take on the role of accountable body for this funding should they accept this offer of funding. 

(4)             That delegated authority be given to the Chief Officer (Resources) to update the General Fund Revenue Budget in 2015/16 as and when funding offers are accepted, subject to there being no additional call on City Council resources.

(5)             That Cabinet gives officers delegated authority to research and develop proposals for a ‘Northern Lights’ partnership, with the aim of seeking funding from the Arts Council Strategic Touring Fund for 2016/17 onwards, and with any proposals being brought back to Cabinet for consideration as part of the 2016/17 budget prior to any such funding bids being submitted.

 

 

 

 

 

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

 

Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

Chief Officer (Resources)

 

Reasons for making the decision:

 

The decision provides officers with a clear indication of which option to proceed with given the timescales involved with applying for external funding and subsequent planning time required to arrange the festivals themselves.  It is consistent with the following Council priority: Sustainable Economic Growth and the following success measures: Economic Impact of the Arts in the District will be measured with the City Council moving towards an ensuring role to support a range of delivery partners; visitor numbers and spend will be increased and cultural, retail and tourism offer will be improved. It also contributes to the Council’s Heritage Strategy and Arts Framework.

 

 

Supporting documents: