Agenda item

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 to increase the budget so that it could be achieved as hopefully Marlborough Square would be available.

The Cultural Services Team Manager reminded Members that the events sub group meeting was on the 13 February and hoped that all Members would contribute.

Councillor J Geary felt that some valued points had been raised. In relation to the Remembrance Service, he stated that it had been a good day and had been well attended, however due to the service at the church over running organisers then had to play catch up. In relation to the Christmas celebrations, he stated that Members had been elected to oversee the events, however following previous events a meeting had been arranged with traders on the high street who wanted input but the meeting was very poorly attended.

Councillor M B Wyatt requested a review through a questionnaire that could then be reported back to the working party to consider the findings and if required allocate funds.

It was agreed that a questionnaire be produced to seek the views of local businesses on Christmas in Coalville 2019. A letter should be sent to town centre businesses (draft to be approved by Councillors J Geary and M B Wyatt) to inform them of the council’s intent to engage with them regarding Christmas in Coalville 2019 and invite them to attend a meeting in the near future to seek their views.  A questionnaire will also be prepared and distributed to town centre businesses.

Councillor M Specht agreed that the views of the traders within the town centre should then be sought and that it was a good idea. He suggested that the Business Portfolio Holder, along with officers could speak to them. He felt the remembrance day service had been very well attended but the delays to the timings had not been in the hands of the Council’s officers.

Members agreed that the Business Portfolio Holder be involved in talking to the traders.

Councillor J Legrys stated that he was in favour of a survey and felt that the amount that was contributed from the precept should be included so that residents could see what they were repaying for. He stated that he had raised the issue surrounding the fireworks before and suggested that, like surrounding towns, local businesses be asked to contribute financially to the event.

Councillor N Clarke stated that the working party had set a budget for the event and had delivered within that budget. He advised that he had received positive feedback on the event and that it had been very well attended. He felt that it was value for money and that it had worked well keeping the event to one area of the town. He congratulated officers for delivering the event.

Councillor M B Wyatt disagreed that the event was value for money.

Members agreed to recommend that the date for the Christmas in Coalville event should be Saturday, 23 November 2019.

In response to a question from Councillor J Geary, the Cultural Services Team Manager advised that there was one year remaining on the Christmas Lights Contract and officers were looking at the procurement process thereafter.

It was moved by Councillor J Legrys, seconded by Councillor R Adams and 

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The progress update on 2018/19 events be noted.

2. The progress update on 2019/20 events be noted.

3. The progress on the Commemorative Artwork for the Centenary of the end of WW1 be noted.

RECOMMENDED THAT:

The date for Christmas in Coalville 2019 event be confirmed as 23 November 2019.