Agenda item

Report of the Cultural Services Team Manager

The Cultural Services Team Manager presented the report to Members and provided an update on each event.

Proms/Picnic in the Park

The two day event took place in Coalville on 11 and 12 June.  It was very successful with lots of local entertainment and activities.  The Cultural Services Team Manager referred to the positive feedback received which was detailed within the report.

Councillor J Legrys referred to the giant art boards from local schools that were on display and asked if photographs had been taken as they were very good.  The Cultural Services Team Manager explained that as the art boards were going back to the schools, photographs were taken to be kept as part of a record of the event.  He also thanked Angela Bexton and Julia Harley for their hard work undertaken on the event.

In response to a question from Councillor M Specht, the Cultural Services Team Manager reported that there were more stalls at the event than previous years as the layout plan had been changed to accommodate more.  Councillor M Specht felt that despite the weather it was a good event with a very good turn out from local people.

 Councillor M B Wyatt reported that he had received mostly positive comments for the event.  The only criticism being the positioning of the stage was not as good as previous years.  He added that he attended and he believed it was a good and well organised event.

Councillor J Legrys praised both days of the event and reported that he had received no negative comments.  He felt it was a great event and congratulated officers.

Councillor R Adams commented that he thoroughly enjoyed the event but there was some confusion with the signage on the gates.   The Cultural Services Team Manager agreed that there was some confusion but the mistake had been realised quickly in the morning and rectified.  Officers had learnt from it for future years.

The Chairman asked if the event had come under budget.  The Cultural Services Team Manager responded that he was still working on the figures and it would be reported at the next meeting.

Coalville by the Sea

The popular event will take place at Needhams Walk grassed area on 19 August and would be complimented by a children’s fairground.  Other events including a petting zoo and two smaller events would be taking place on Fridays in August also.

Remembrance Day 2016

As an update to the report, Members were informed that the remembrance event would be held on 13 November.

Christmas Lights Switch On

Cabinet supported the group’s proposal to move the event on to 3 December and to compliment it with free parking on all Saturdays in December.

In response to a question from Councillor M B Wyatt, the Cultural Services Team Manager confirmed that there would be a Christmas tree erected again at Marlborough Square and it was included within the budget.

Councillor M Specht asked on behalf of Councillor P Purver if there could be more small external Christmas trees with lights outside the shops in Coalville.  The Head of Community Services responded that it was something that the Business Focus Team was working on currently; he would get an update for the next meeting.  The Chairman commented that he was aware that some of the tree brackets on the buildings were no longer fit for purpose and requested a costing for new brackets as well as the fitting of the trees, broken down to a price per unit due to not all businesses wanting a tree. The Head of Community Services agreed.  Councillor M B Wyatt commented that not all of the businesses on High Street were invited to apply for a tree which was why there were shops without one last year.  He requested that the contractors contact all business owners.  The Cultural Services Team Manager explained that this costing had been undertaken in the past and it was approximately £8,000.  The Head of Community Services agreed to provide an update at the next meeting.

Councillor J Legrys commented that he believed the Coalville Project Team were currently looking into this and they had money in the budget, he asked for this to be checked as he was concerned that work would be duplicated unnecessarily.

Councillor M B Wyatt reported that residents had requested more visible lights on the clock tower, similar to the ones outside the Council Offices which wrap around horizontally rather than hang vertically.  The Head of Community Services explained that there was a contractor that dealt with the lights and each year more lights could be added to the current stock.  He agreed to speak to the contractors to gain some ideas for the clock tower and he would report back to the next meeting.  The Chairman agreed that as it had been identified as an improvement he would like it to be looked into.

RESOLVED THAT:

The progress update on 2016/17 events be noted.