Issue - meetings

The Report of the Head of Economic Regeneration.

The Head of Property and Regeneration presented the report and provided the meeting with an evaluation of the Events Programme which had concluded and confirmed that planning for the 2023 Events Programme and Christmas in Coalville Event would soon commence.

The cost of the events to the CSEWP was outlined, along with the objectives for these events. It was noted there had been evidence that these events were indeed proving successful in achieving the objectives set out.

The meeting was also informed that there had been evidence to indicate a correlation between the holding of events and increased footfall and also evidence to show that the council had successfully supported town centre retailers to begin to recover from the worst impacts of Covid-19.

A member asked that slide presentations also be provided in paper form or as an update sheet, officers agreed that this would be borne in mind for future meetings and agreed to circulate the slides following the meeting.

Officers provided information on Christmas in Coalville, which encompassed the Christmas lights and Christmas in Coalville event. The budget for these events was discussed and it was highlighted that the budget had faced a 40% budget reduction in real terms.

A member asked for clarification on figures for event expenditure and officers referred members to the appendices of the report, which showed the figures indicating how the calculation was arrived at. Members asked for a column to show total event expenditure in order to make it clearer to read at a glance and officers agreed that this would be incorporated in future reports.

The rationale for holding the Christmas in Coalville event in various locations was outlined along with an explanation of what the event comprised of. It was noted that members had recommended that the Council did not hold the firework finale and this had been carried by Cabinet. A member suggested that the space at Memorial Square could have been better utilised

The feedback which had been obtained from local residents who attended the Christmas in Coalville event was outlined, with lack of free parking being a common theme amongst the negative feedback. However it was suggested that this would not be something which the council could influence, as it does not own the majority of the car parking facilities in the town centre. A member suggested that a scheme be considered to offer traders to have a Christmas tree installed on their premises, at a fee, in order to promote a more decorative high street.

Officers proposed that members consider a review of what the “ideal” Christmas in Coalville would look like, in order that officers can provide information on costs and technical issues, so that members would be able to decide on what is practical and affordable.

In terms of planning for 2023, members were advised that officers wished to work closely with members in order to improve the event.

A member noted that the town appeared to be becoming increasingly busy and congratulated officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19