An Officer from the Festivals Team will be present to discuss the Festivals and Events Consultation, particularly in relation to festivals in Castle Ward.
Minutes:
Mike Candler, Cultural Quarter Project Director,was present to discuss the Festivals and Events Consultation, which would conclude on 26th July 2012, at 6.00pm.
Mike reported that the Council were undertaking a review of all services provided by the Voluntary and Community sectors and/or grant aided/funded through the Council, to establish the extent to which the festivals and events delivered the city’s priorities and offered best value for money, how they contributed to culture and tourism, and brought communities together. The scope of the review was all festivals and events funded by the Council over £5,000. Mike reported that the consultation survey was available online, B Block Customer Services at New Walk Centre, in the Central Lending Library, and copies were brought to the meeting. Mike stated that where a particular festival or event was provided in a specific geographical location, Officers were consulting with the Ward, hence Castle Ward was being consulted on the proposal to cease to fund and organise several events which were held in the Ward, reported as follows:
· £18.5K - Daves Leicester Comedy Festival – the proposal was to maintain event with a three-year funding agreement, to allow the festival to plan longer-term.
· £9K - Spark Children’s Arts Festival – the proposal was to maintain event with a three-year funding agreement, to allow the festival to plan longer-term.
· £30K - Belgrave Mela – the proposal was to maintain the funding. Retailers reported a 63% increase in till receipts on the day.
· £5K - Leicester International Music Festival – the proposal was to maintain funding with a one-year funding agreement. The festival attracted weekend visitors to the city.
· £10.3K - St George’s Day – the proposal was to maintain the funding, but tender out the delivery of the event, effective from April 2013.
· £100K - Leicester Caribbean Carnival – a support model was adopted in 2011, and there would be no city centre parade. Support would be £100K (2012), 80K (2013), 60K (2014).
· £11K - Castle Park Festival – the funding was 72% of the total cost. The proposal was to cease funding, but seek a new two-day festival in the Arts around the area.
Residents asked if there was anything possible that could be done so that different communities’ events could overlap and be more inclusive. Mike stated that he was picking up the same message from the consultation feedback. He reported that there were festivals that were inclusive, and that the new Heritage and Arts Festival was intended for all to celebrate the city’s heritage. A resident stated that the International Music Festival was not representative of the international structure of city residents, though it was a gem of chamber music.
Residents then discussed issues that arose when festivals were taking place in particular areas, such as litter and noise. One example was the increased number of vehicles that appeared, for example, in Clarendon Park when events took place on Victoria Park. Residents reported having garage entrances blocked, and being unable to park near to their homes. The Chair suggested that there needed to be better co-ordination between Vinci Parking and the Police when events took place and would take the point back to officers, though he believed that Victoria Park was one of the most suitable venues in the city due to its locality and public transport links. It was agreed that festivals organisers should take into account the impact on an area where they were based.
A resident asked if costs per head varied for each event, what other factors were taken into consideration when deciding on funding. Mike reported that, amongst other things, cultural value, the impact on social cohesion and strategic priorities were taken into consideration, though there were different values for different events.
Mike stated that a decision would not be made on any of the funding until after the consultation period, and he urged people to go online or write to him, and put their comments in writing. He informed the meeting that he had noted the comments made and would raise the issues with colleagues.