Agenda item

Agenda item

Events Update

Report of the Cultural Services Team Manager

Minutes:

The Cultural Services Team Manager presented the report to Members.

 

St Georges Day – 23 April 2019

The Cultural Services Team Manager asked Members to note the timings for the flag flying as printed within the report.

 

Music and Picnic in the Park – 22 and 23 June 2019

Planning for this event was well underway and ahead of schedule.  It was reported that a funding contribution had been secured for the main attraction, which supported the council’s priority ‘Recycle more….’  The attraction was an 18-metre giant inflatable whale, in which public could enter the attraction and watch a live performance highlighting the impact on plastics on the environment.  There would also be another ‘Art in the Park’, whereby art created by schools at the Timber Festival would be on display at the park.

 

Coalville by the Sea – 2 and 3 August 2019

It was reported that following comments from Members, donkey rides had been added to the event. 

 

Christmas in Coalville – 23 November 2019

It was noted that planning was in the early stages.

 

Coalville May Fair – 3-11 May 2019

It was noted that the event would now cover two weekends to have a greater impact on the town centre.

 

Councillor M Specht congratulated officers on the progress made with the events for the coming year.  He asked if the funding for music and picnic in the park was combined or whether a breakdown of costs was available.  The Cultural Services Team Manager explained that there was a number of shared costs, such as the fencing and the toilets but would circulate a breakdown to Members outside of the meeting.

 

Councillor M B Wyatt reported that he was aware of a biker group that had shown an interest in organising a Christmas drive through Coalville and would like some assistance from officers if possible.  It was agreed to pass on the contact details to the Cultural Services Team Manager.

 

The Cultural Services Team Manager reported that the Christmas in Coalville Business Survey had been sent out to all local businesses with a 3.6 percent return rate. It was therefore concluded that due to the low number of responses received that most town centre businesses were satisfied with the Christmas event as they had chosen to not take advantage of the opportunity to comment.  Further, the comments and suggestions made by the businesses that did respond were noted and where appropriate officers would liaise directly with the relevant business. Councillor M B Wyatt did not agree with the conclusion from the survey, as he was aware that a number of businesses had chosen not to return a response, as they did not believe it was worthwhile.  He would therefore be encouraging businesses to return the survey so that officers could have a more accurate response.  The Chairman was disappointed with the number of responses.  He referred Members to the suggestions made for more free parking and commented that if parking was free for the whole of December there would be a loss of income of approximately £23,000.

 

It was moved by Councillor J Legrys, seconded by Councillor M Specht and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

a)     The progress update be noted.

 

b)     The response to the Christmas in Coalvile 2018 Business Survey be noted.

 

Supporting documents: