Agenda item

Report of the Cultural Services Team Manager

The Cultural Services Team Manager presented the report to Members.

He provided Members with an update on each event.

Coalville Food and Drink Festival and Christmas Lights Switch-On

The Council’s Christmas event took place on 22 November and was combined with the Town Team’s Food and Drink Festival for the first time. Highlights of the event included a world record attempt, a Santa’s Grotto with real life reindeer and a performance from Britain’s Got Talent stars Kieran and Sarah. It was estimated that around 3,000 people had attended the switch-on and firework finale. It was stated that feedback from social media on the event had been positive and that the Town Team had felt that both events complimented each other perfectly.

Councillor N Clarke thanked officers for having organised a fantastic event. He stated that the Christmas lights in Coalville were as good as anywhere in Leicestershire.

Councillor J Legrys also thanked the Cultural Services Team for their hard work. However, he stated that he had spoken to traders on the High Street who had suggested that they had seen no increase in footfall on the day. As such, he suggested that, next year, activities should take place to encourage activity specifically in that area.

Councillor J Geary agreed that it had been a great event and stated that the fireworks had been particularly impressive. He stated that his only concern was that fireworks were around half an hour late in being set off and that, consequently, a fair number of people had left to go home. He stated that he had also spoken to traders in the town centre who had reported that the Christmas event and the free parking had failed to increase footfall.

Councillor J Legrys stated that he had been approached by individuals who had not realised that there was free parking and had put money in the parking meters. The Head of Community Services stated that all parking meters had had the coin slots covered each Saturday morning during the period of free parking.

Councillor R Adams enquired whether there had been any complaints regarding the fireworks this year. The Cultural Services Team Manager stated that there had been a couple of complaints regarding the noise. It was also noted that residents in the locality of Coalville Park were informed of the fireworks display by letter.

Councillor J Geary commented that the removal of the 20 pence tariff at car parks had deterred many individuals from visiting the town centre, particularly if they only required one or two items.

The Head of Community Services relayed to the Working Party an email that he had received from Councillor M B Wyatt regarding the Christmas event. He stated that Councillor M B Wyatt had received feedback from traders saying that the lights switch-on and the food and drink festival should revert to being held separately.

It was stated that Councillor M B Wyatt had asked residents, via social media, what their views were regarding the location of the event and that the vast majority who had responded to him were in favour of the event being held at the Clock Tower with the High Street closed for stalls.

Councillor J Legrys stated that the cost of closing the High Street and Memorial Square area would be extremely prohibitive. He stated that the costs involved would make such an approach unviable unless either local traders were willing to cover the cost or the Council Tax precept was raised.

Councillor N Clarke stated that the debate regarding the location of the Christmas event took place every year. He stated that the suggestion that the event be held at Memorial Square appeared to be logistically unfeasible and that the public should be made aware of the prohibitive costs.

Coalville Christmas Decorations

The annual Christmas lights contract for 2014/2015 was £12,500 which included testing, minor repairs, energy consumption, storage and the erection and removals of the lights. An additional £2,500 is required from balances in 2014/2015 in order to remove the festoon lighting from the trees in the High Street as they had been in situ for a number of years.

It was confirmed that the current contract ends in March 2015 and that the Council would be undertaking a procurement process for the work going forward. A budget of £15,500 had been included to reflect any potential increased costs that resulted from the procurement process.

RESOLVED THAT:

the Working Party notes the report.