Issue - meetings

(Briefing note attached and presentation to be received at the meeting)

The Chairman reminded the Board that this item had arisen from the completion of an Overview and Scrutiny Proposal form, which had been considered at the meeting on 25th February 2010.  The Head of Leisure and Cultural Services gave a presentation on the Civic Bonfire Event and covered the following areas:

• The history of the event
• Aims and Objectives
• An overview of the 2009 event
• Comparison between the 2008 and 2009 event including ticket sales, marketing, promotion and impact of the weather.
• The infrastructure and external partners
• Key considerations including layout and position of event activities and cash auditing requirements
• A review of the 2009 event and lessons learnt
• Plans for 2010 event

The Head of Leisure and Cultural Services also answered Members enquiries in respect of the potential for increased sponsorship, the involvement of the Primrose Hospice, the maximum attendance figure, and a longer term plan in order to mitigate the effects of bad weather.  The Board also considered alternative ways to increase revenue and minimise losses.

The Board also discussed an alternative event being held in the summer and asked if any arrangements had been made for events to be held to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2011 and the Olympics in 2012.  The Head of Leisure and Cultural Services advised Members that the Events Team were looking at holding events at the Dolphin Centre and Ryland Centre in conjunction with the Olympics in 2012, and would report back to Members in respect of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  Members were reminded that there was a limited budget available and therefore it was difficult to add additional events without jeopardising existing services. 

The Chairman thanked the Head of Leisure and Cultural Services for providing such a comprehensive report and it was

RESOLVED that the Civic Bonfire Event be referred for inclusion in the work programme for 2010/11 for consideration and review after the 2010 event had taken place.