Agenda item

Report of the Cultural Services Team Manager

The Cultural Services Team Manager presented the report to Members, highlighting upcoming events and allocated budgets.

Music and Picnic in the Park

The Cultural Services Team Manager reported that all plans were in place for the event which was taking place at the weekend and all costs were within budget.  She drew Members attention to a clash with a charity event at the Coalville Rugby Club which may affect footfall, she believed the event was planned at short notice and therefore could not be avoided.  She also pointed out that there was an England football match taking place on Sunday.  Discussions were had regarding the possibility of incorporating the football into the event but all agreed it would not be suitable as it would change the dynamics of the event.  The Head of Community Services suggested that the celebration of sporting events be looked at in the future when areas such as Marlborough Square would be available.

Coalville by the Sea

The Cultural Services Team Manager reported that detailed planning was underway and the supply of sand had been secured from P&R Building Supplies Limited.

Christmas in Coalville

The Cultural Services Team Manager reported that work was ongoing but there was nothing further to report on the planning.  She informed Members that work on Marlborough Square had been delayed until the Autumn and therefore the area would not be used for Christmas events in 2018.  Members were also informed that the proposal was to halt the works at Marlborough Square for four weeks over the Christmas period to avoid any disruption in the town over a very busy time.  Members agreed that the proposal was appropriate.

Councillor M B Wyatt asked if Memorial Square would be incorporated into the event as Marlborough Square was not available.  The Cultural Services Team Manager confirmed that the use of Memorial Square formed part of the plans.  The Chairman suggested that Councillor M B Wyatt send any ideas for the event to the Cultural Services Team Manager for consideration.  Councillor M B Wyatt stated that he had made suggestions in the past for Memorial Square and the area was never fully utilised.  He felt that the use of Memorial Square was inadequate in previous years.

The Chairman raised concerns regarding the use of Memorial Square during hours of darkness as it could be dangerous due to the busy crossroads, he felt it was important to fully assess the area.  He reaffirmed that the Cultural Services Team Manager was open to ideas and invited Members to put suggestions forward.

A lengthy discussion was had regarding the use of the Christmas tree brackets and lights on High Street.  As Members felt that similar discussions had been held in the past and no further information received, it was agreed that a report be considered at the next meeting to include the following information:

-       Who installed Christmas tree brackets above each of the units on High Street and who was responsible for them if they needed replacing.

-       An assessment of the Christmas tree brackets to ascertain if they were still fit for purpose.

-       A costing to run lights along the buildings where the tree brackets were to match the other side of High Street rather than Christmas trees.

-       Cost effective alternatives to the Christmas trees.

The Cultural Services Team Manager reminded Members that the budget for Christmas lights was tied up in the current contract and there was no additional budget available at this time.  She agreed to look into the points raised by Members and would report back to the Events Sub Group on 25 September and then onto the Coalville Special Expenses Working Party in October.

Coalville May Fair

The Cultural Services Team Manager reported that the event was very successful and discussions were ongoing regarding the return of the fair for the same weekend in 2019 in the same position.  Councillor M B Wyatt felt it was a good event and the feedback he had received was great.  However, he believed that it should be a bigger event next year with more utilisation of the town centre, for example using High Street for the fair.  He added that the Chief Executive was very supportive of increasing the size of the event.  The Cultural Services Team Manager advised Members that caution was required as the event would be very different if highways were utilised.  She explained that fairs in other towns, such as Ashby, were supported by statutes.  Councillor M B Wyatt stressed the importance of bringing the fair into the centre of town for local businesses and was strongly against the use of car parks.  He would be happy to propose the allocation of funding to the event as he believed it was worth it.

Councillor M Specht agreed that it was a very successful event and felt the expansion of the event should be investigated.

It was moved by the Chairman and seconded by Councillor P Purver that officers consult with emergency services regarding the feasibility of closing High Street.  It was agreed.

Music and Picnic in the Park 2019

Members were happy with the proposed dates of Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June for the event in 2019 to allow for early planning.

Coalville Events

The Cultural Services Team Manager referred Members to the poster of events at appendix 2.

Councillor M Specht requested a number of colour copies of the poster to put on his parish notice boards.  The Cultural Services Team Manager reported that posters were sent to every parish to be displayed and would look into why Coleorton Parish Council had not received them.  She agreed to provide copies for Councillor M Specht.

Coalville Commemorates

The Cultural Services Team Manager reported that work was progressing well.  A meeting had been held with the Whitwick Branch of the Royal British Legion and the initiative was fully supported by the committee members.  Since the report had been written, the Cultural Services Team Manager had been informed that unfortunately the application to the Bardon Community Fund had been unsuccessful.  However, as Cabinet had allocated funding to cover a shortfall if the application was unsuccessful, the project would be able to progress.

It was moved by Councillor J Legrys, seconded by Councillor P Purver and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)     The progress update on 2018/19 events be noted.

b)     The progress update of the commemorative artwork for the centenary of the end of World War 1 be noted.

c)     A report on the Christmas tree brackets and lights on High Street be considered at the next meeting.

RECOMMENDED THAT:

The dates of the Music in the Park event for 2019 be confirmed as Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June.