Agenda item

Report of the Cultural Services Team Manager

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

St George’s Day

The Cultural Services Team Manager reported that the flags had been flying around Coalville but had noticed that those at the Clock Tower were in poor condition and had therefore arranged for them to be replaced immediately.  Councillor M B Wyatt requested a larger flag for the top of the Clock Tower to make it more visible.  The Cultural Services Team Manager agreed and confirmed it was currently being considered.  In response to a question from Councillor J Legrys, the Cultural Services Team Manager confirmed that the scheduled works to the Clock Tower would result in the removal of the flag pole.  She added that a bracket would also be installed to allow a temporary flag pole to be erected on certain occasions.

Music and Picnic in the Park

The Cultural Services Team Manager reported that the event was currently on schedule with all elements booked and local people engaged.  She also informed Members that ‘Art in the Park’ would return, whereby Coalville schools would decorate boards which would be displayed in the park for the weekend.  These would then be displayed in the community garden area through the summer months.

Coalville by the Sea

The Cultural Services Team Manager reported that the event was scheduled for Friday 3 and Saturday 4 August which had been extended to cover two days based on feedback regarding the popularity of the event.

Christmas in Coalville

The Cultural Services Team Manager reported that planning for the event had commenced and was currently ahead of schedule with key elements in place.  She announced that the next meeting of the Events Sub Group was to be held on 25 September and would be heavily focused on the Christmas events.

In response to a question from Councillor J Legrys, the Cultural Services Team Manager stated that the new Coalville events poster was currently being worked on and would be distributed to shops in May.

Coalville Commemorates

The Cultural Services Team Manager informed Members that an artist had been appointed and the concept sketches as at appendix 2 of the report had been shared prior to the meeting.  She added that the planning application would be submitted by the end of the week and a meeting had been scheduled with the Whitwick branch of the Royal British Legion to discuss the plans.

With the outcome of the funding application to Bardon Hill Quarry Community Fund not known until 31 May 2018, the Cultural Services Team Manager asked the working party if they would consider allocating up to £8,000 from balances if required to ensure that the project could be progressed to meet the completion deadline.  It was moved by Councillor N Clarke, seconded by Councillor J Geary and 

RESOLVED THAT:

Up to £8,000 from balances be allocated to cover the shortfall in budget to progress the project to meet the completion deadline.

Councillor J Legrys commented on the amount of equipment that would be on memorial square during the maintenance work on the Clock Tower and stressed the importance of making sure plans were managed to avoid clashes with events.  The Cultural Services Team Manager assured Councillor J Legrys that officers were very mindful of the schedule of works and it was being very closely managed.  Councillor J Legrys asked that this information be passed onto the veterans to ease their concerns.

It was moved by Councillor J Legrys, seconded by Councillor N Clarke and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)         The progress update be noted.

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