Agenda item

Festivals and Events

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Clifford)

 

Report of Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

 

Minutes:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Clifford)

 

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning) which provided information for Cabinet on the impact of budget reductions to Light Up Lancaster, Vintage by the Sea and Brass Bands and clarified the Council’s overall role in respect to festivals and events in the district

 

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

 

 

Option 1: Develop income generation opportunities to improve the longer term sustainability of the Vintage by the Sea and Light Up Lancaster

Option 2: Withdraw Council funding and delivery support from Light Up Lancaster and Vintage by the Sea

Advantages

Delivers additional income to reduce the overall costs of Light Up Lancaster and Vintage by the Sea to the Council

 

Economic impact of Light Up and Vintage can be maintained and developed

 

Opportunity to continue to develop and promote Light Up Lancaster and Vintage by the Sea as part of the district’s Place Offer and the Lancaster and Morecambe Bay destinations

 

Maintains the district’s two ‘signature’ events for local communities and visitors

 

Fits well with the district’s Arts Strategy, Cultural Heritage Strategy and the Lancashire Visitor Economy Strategy

 

Attracts significant match funding/ investment into the District and protects existing match funding to these two events.

 

Creates an opportunity for the Council take a cohesive, cross service approach to income generation.

 

Creates further potential savings of around £40k

for the Council in addition to the planned reductions of £22.7k

 

Removes the need for in-kind support required from the Council

 

Disadvantages

Existing resources still required to deliver Vintage by the Sea and Light Up Lancaster

 

 

Loss of considerable economic impact from Vintage by the Sea and Light Up Lancaster

 

Significant loss of visitor profile for the district and the Lancaster and Morecambe Bay destinations

 

Significant reduction in visitor numbers to Lancaster and Morecambe

 

Loss of match funding and investment into the District

 

Loss of Vintage by the Sea and the Light Up Lancaster could give rise to concerns from the local community

 

Lost opportunity to generate income for the Council from Light Up Lancaster and Vintage by the Sea (the Platform, the Storey, Williamson’s Park, car parking)

 

Risks

Income generation can be affected by external factors that cannot be controlled but reduce audience sizes, such as weather and traffic conditions. Mitigation, for example, the mix of event activities, strong traffic management and communications can reduce risks.

 

Quality of products/ services, understanding of audiences and good marketing and presentation can positively affect income.

 

Potential loss of support from key funders and strategic partners, towards long term objectives and outcomes

 

Possible reputational risk and potential complaints to the Council from members of the public and local businesses regarding the loss of two major local events

 

 

 

Whilst the report covers a number of aspects of the Council’s role in relation to festivals and events in the district, specific, more detailed consideration has been given to the means by which budget reductions, as a result of the 2016/17 budget process, can be absorbed from 2017/18 onwards. The option to develop income streams builds on the scale and reputation of Light Up Lancaster and Vintage by the Sea, in particular, but establishes principles that work in a range of other situations.  Increasing the use of the property assets, facilities and amenities for which the Council is responsible can increase public access in a positive way and help to generate income as a means of safeguarding them for the future. 

 

Councillor Clifford proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

 

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

 

Councillors then voted:-

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

(1)          That a reduction in the brass bands programme is implemented from 2017/18 onwards, to accommodate budget reductions.

 

(2)          That potential for income generation is developed as a means of absorbing budget reductions from 2017/18 onwards for the Vintage by the Sea and Light Up Lancaster festivals.

 

(3)          That the Council continues to act as a delivery partner and as accountable body, as required, to enable Light Up Lancaster and Vintage by the Sea to access external funds.

 

(4)          That the Council continues to support the diverse events programme in the district through making its own land available as a venue (subject to meeting current booking requirements), to support the work of the Events Safety Advisory Group and to provide information and advice to support delivery of local events.

 

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

 

Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

 

Reasons for making the decision:

 

The decision is consistent with the Council’s Priority of Sustainable Economic Growth and the following Corporate Outcomes:

·         Sustainable economic growth and jobs will be created in key sectors including the visitor economy.

·         The attractiveness and offer of the district as a place to visit or invest will be improved.

·         Lancaster and Morecambe Bay will be recognised as important visitor destinations.

Supporting documents: