Review of the Annual Civic Bonfire Event
Minutes:
The Chairman introduced this item and reminded Members that the topic had been re-visited on a number of previous occasions, and it was therefore important that some positive outcomes were put forward by Members.
Members received a presentation from the Head of Leisure and Cultural Services which provided a summary of the financial position relating to the Civic Bonfire Event. The Board discussed, with the Head of Leisure and Cultural Services, the following areas in more detail:
§ Access points to the event being reduced.
§ Weather conditions and the effect these had had on the event in the past.
§ Lessons Learnt (including timing of the Bonfire and procurement)
§ Car parking and the calculation of any increase in revenue
§ Pre-sale of tickets and increased sponsorship from local dealerships/newspapers (for example banners attached to the stall for the weeks leading up to the event)
§ Alternative arrangements (for example extending the Street Theatre programme as an alternative to holding the Bonfire.)
The Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Resources informed the Board that the funding was in place for this year’s event, however, Members would be given the opportunity in June 2011 to re-assess and prioritise services and options for future civic events, for consideration in the context of budget constraints.
Members asked if there was any mechanism in place which would determine which parts of the district attendees came from, as it was felt that not all of the district benefitted from the event. The Head of Leisure and Cultural Services confirmed that it would be possible, particularly with the pre-sale tickets to undertake a post code sampling survey. After further discussion it was
RECOMMENDED:
(a) that sponsorship of the Civic Bonfire Event be further investigated with a target of 50%, through the avenues referred to in the above pre-amble;
(b) that a postal code sampling survey be carried out at this year’s event; and
(c) that the holding of the Civic Bonfire Event in future years be reviewed in the context of budget constraints.