Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure seeking approval for the proposed events, support and associated budgets during 2017/18 which will see a mix of community, and brand building events across the City that are aligned with City council strategies and which will be co-ordinated by Marketing Gloucester Ltd and others.

RESOLVED:

1.    The 2017/18 programme of Council funded and supported events as set out in Section 3 of the report be approved.

2.    The criteria set out in paragraph 5.3 of the report are still relevant and should continue to form the basis of any strategic decision making when planning future events and festivals.

Councillor James declared a personal interest in the agenda item as Chairman of the Board of Marketing Gloucester Limited (MGL) and withdrew from the meeting.

Councillor Watkins chaired the meeting during the discussion on this item.

Council considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure which sought approval for the proposed events, support and associated budgets during 2017/18.

Councillor Noakes outlined key areas of the report, noting that the City’s events were gathering increasing number of visitors. She commented that events were most successful when in collaboration with partners and stakeholders noting that it was not solely the responsibility of the Council to hold events within the City. She encouraged Members to promote participation from individual and community groups within their wards, stating there was funding that could be accessed to organise events.

She explained that MGL had been tasked with undertaking a strategic impact assessment of events organised in 2016/17 to provide a qualitative valuation of the impact of holding such event and to assist in the consideration of the following year’s events. She concluded by reporting that funding provided to MGL had been reduced in 2017/18, reflecting Council-wide pressures and the organisation had been tasked with thinking creatively to encourage external investment and sponsorship.

Cabinet Members expressed support for the proposals, welcoming the addition of the strategic impact assessments to ensure value for money. Councillor Organ (Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning) thanked volunteers, community groups and officers for taking part and assisting with the organisation of events around the City and in particular the Gloucester Goes Retro Festival.

RESOLVED:

1.    The 2017/18 programme of Council funded and supported events as set out in Section 3 of the report be approved.

2.    The criteria set out in paragraph 5.3 of the report are still relevant and should continue to form the basis of any strategic decision making when planning future events and festivals.