Issue - meetings

To seek approval for the programme of events to be delivered in the Borough by Liberty Leisure Limited for the year 2022-23.

The Committee considered the proposed options for the delivery of events for the year 2022-23.

Liberty Leisure Limited had adopted the Council’s Broxtowe Events Strategy’, 2015 and beyond as agreed in the Management Agreement between Local Authority Trading Company and the Council. The strategy influenced the annual programme of events delivered by the company from 2017-21.

Suggestions for the events programme for 2022-23 included Hemlock Happening, Play days, Christmas Lights Switch on, Beeston Beach, Cinema, 1940’s event, DHL Festival, Kimberley Christmas Lights and Eastwood Fireworks with three options to deliver the programme.

The Appendix of the report highlighted in a table the different options available between Option A, B and C and associated costs.  It was noted that staffing and event infrastructure costs increased year on year and were expected to increase further in 2022. This meant the Company would be able to deliver less event services within the same budget.

·         Option A Increased the number of Play Days and financial costs would be contained within the Liberty Leisure Ltd events budget requiring no further management fee to the Company.

·         Option B Increased staffing levels and would provide a similar programme to 2019-20 along with a Council funded Events Officer Post and the cost adding to the management fee for 2022-23

·         Option C would increase Planning, delivery and budget management of Civic events to be undertaken by Liberty Leisure Events including Remembrance Parade, Mayors Ball and Freedom Parade and would have required £60,934 in addition to the management fee to cover an additional 1.5 full time equivalent Event Officer post and increased base budget incorporating existing Council events.

Discussions ensued regarding the events chosen, location and lack of consultation. Members would have liked to have had a greater input into the events programme. An explanation on Play days and Cinema events was provided.

RESOLVED that Option C in appendix 1 that will require £60,934 in addition to the management fee to cover additional 1.5 FTE event officers posts and increased base budget incorporating existing council events be approved.

RECOMMENDED to the Council that the chosen option carries a ring-fenced event delivery budget, separate to the operational and staffing budgets of the local authority trading company.