Agenda item

To receive the Cabinet Member for Culture & Leisure‘s update on the 2021-22 Festivals & Events Programme.

9.1       The Cabinet Member for Culture & Leisure, Councillor Morgan introduced the report and highlighted key elements. He reminded Committee Members’ that this report was in draft form, and thus could be subject to revision as required, particularly in light of any changes to the COVID-19 guidelines. He added that a meeting had been set up between Council Officers and various stakeholders and partners on Wednesday 6^th of January 2020 to decide whether the Bright Nights Festival would proceed either in part or in full. Following this, further details would then be circulated.

9.2      Councillor Morgan then responded to Members’ questions as follows. In answer to Councillor Hilton he outlined that, on balance, the City Centre was considered the best location for the Gloucester Goes Retro event. Moreover, having a City Centre location for the event helped to raise the City ‘s profile and image. Regarding the Tall Ship Festival, he stated that the proposal was for this to go ahead during the May bank holiday weekend unless there were changes to the COVID-19 guidelines and if there was any evidence that it could not be held successfully in line with COVID-19 restrictions. He added that the Head of Cultural Services had in depth discussions with contractors to implement measures to ensure the event was held in line with COVID-19 restrictions. Both Councillor Morgan and the Head of Cultural Services reiterated that that the date of the event could be changed should there be any change to COVID-19 guidelines to this effect.

9.3      Councillor Hilton stated that whilst he supported Gloucester Goes Retro and wanted to see it continued, he remained concerned that it had a potential negative impact on trade in the City, and suggested that data could be collected for this year ‘s event to measure this. Councillor Organ responded to say that he was pleased to hear there was support for the event. However, in contrary to Councillor Hilton ‘s suggestion the event was designed to increase tourism and footfall in the City, and it had the benefit of bringing people to the doorsteps of the City ‘s businesses and organisations. He added that evidence suggested that the event actually increased revenues for businesses rather than the opposite. Further, he outlined that key businesses and organisations such as Gloucester BID supported the event. In terms of the location of the event, he stated that the use of the gate streets was important as they were closely linked to the City ‘s history and were part of the overall attraction of the event. Lastly, he explained that the event would only be success if businesses supported it and those who have supported the event in the past have themselves benefitted.

9.4.1    In response to Councillor Ryall ‘s query Councillor Morgan stated that firstly, 2020 had been a learning curve in terms of having to adapt to the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic. As such, some of the cultural events had been moved online and this was something which could be built upon in 2021. The Council was aiming to be flexible and this was reflected in the budget, with those in the creative industries being invited to submit ideas for events during this period with the Council providing funding. Secondly, in answer to Councillor Ryall ‘s question about events geared towards health and physical fitness, he outlined that Active Gloucestershire had provided funding towards some events which encouraged people to get outdoors such as Of Earth and Sky and Bright Nights Festival. He added that the Council placed importance on these types of events which encouraged physical activity and had thus been able to secure funding from Active Gloucestershire for example. Councillor Ryall stated that she would like to see more events focused on physical wellbeing, health and fitness.

9.5       Responding to Councillor Lewis, Councillor Morgan agreed that the City needed an event/s to bring interest and activity in Gloucester once the proposed lockdown restrictions had been lifted and if the COVID-19 guidelines at the time permitted such an event/s. He further outlined that he would like to see Gloucester Park utilised for this. Nonetheless, whilst there was funding in the budget available for this there was still a lot of uncertainty on the future landscape as a result of the pandemic. The Chair echoed the comments around the park being a good location for events.

9.6      With regard to questions raised by Councilor Pullen on the Tall Ships Festival, Councillor Morgan outlined that the Council ‘s investment and potential liability for the Tallships event was limited to £50,000. Further, the Gloucester Shanty Festival was an integral part of the TallShips Festival in 2020 and the City Council was in discussions to potentially hold this event again. In terms of ticket pricing of the TallShips festival, he advised that this would be decided with the events management company in conjunction with the City Council and Partners. The Head of Cultural Services added that the contract with Richmond Event Management Ltd  was for 2021 with the option to extend this for future years if it was mutually beneficial. As such, the Council was not at risk as it had not committed to the contract beyond 2021, and could terminate the contract following the 2021 festival if necessary. This provided flexibility for both parties, but also provided an opportunity for the company build on its work in future years. He added that there had been a robust procurement process with Richmond Management ultimately chosen.

9.7      Finally, Councillor Morgan responded to Councillor Pullen and Councillor Stephens as follows. In response to Councillor Pullen he stated that the City Council was working closely with Richmond Event Management Ltd  and it was not in anyone ‘s interests to outprice the City ‘s residents. Thus, any discussions would be mindful of this. Responding to Councillor Stephens’ query about charging at the fareground last year which was a part of the festival, he stated that he was not sure if there were plans for a fareground at this year ‘s festival,  but the Council and Richmond Event Management Ltd  were mindful of some of the lessons learnt from last year ‘s event. Overall, however, last year’s festival had been well-received.

9.8      RESOLVED that the Overview & Scrutiny Committee NOTES the report.