Issue - meetings

Report of the Cultural Services Team Manager

The Cultural Services Team Manager presented the report to Members and confirmed that all events for 2018/19 had been delivered.

Christmas in Coalville – 24 November 2018

The event had been delivered as planned with no health and safety issues. She advised that it had been well attended and supported. Looking forward to the following year’s event it was recommended that the date for the event be agreed as Saturday, 23 November 2019 to avoid a clash with Ashby’s. It was also noted that the ballet at the Century Theatre was sold out.

2019/20 Events Programme

The dates for the first four events had been approved and supported by Cabinet. The date for the Christmas event was outstanding. The first events sub group was scheduled for the 13 February 2019. The list of events for the forthcoming year was included but could expand as the year went on.

Christmas Lights

The Christmas lights were installed on schedule.

Coalville Commemorates

The artwork had been installed as scheduled. The Memorial Square works were progressing well and due to be completed 21 December 2019. The fencing would remain in place so the cement could set. Officers were working to agree a permanent display for the wreaths

Councillor M B Wyatt expressed concerns over the Remembrance service as letters had gone out with errors on and the minute silence was late. In relation to the Christmas event he stated that having talked to many traders and residents it was felt that it was the worst event ever and that the footfall went to only one area on the day. He asked that a full review of the event be carried out asking traders and residents on how they were effected and what they would like to see. He advised that some of the lights were not working and he had received complaints about the fireworks. He urged the committee to take responsibility for the event and ensure that the whole town was utilised not just one area.

The Cultural Services Team Manager advised that she was unable to comment on the Remembrance Service as the Council only supported the event.

Regarding Christmas in Coalville event, she drew Members attention to the feedback that was detailed in the report which reported a high level of satisfaction for the event from members of the public that had attended and detailed the very positive comments received.  The brief of the event was to deliver a Christmas in Coalville celebration for members of the public who wish to attend, the Cultural Services Team Manager believed that this brief had been met. She informed Members that if the Christmas event was spread too thin over the town centre then there would be a higher risk of not being able to deliver a safe event and the event having less impact as a whole.

Councillor M B Wyatt stated that the working party needed to consider what could be added to the event to make it better and look  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20