Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Director of Service Delivery providing an update on the Crouch Valley Festival of Food and Drink 2019 and seeking Members’ support for continuation of this event.

Members noted the success of the Crouch Valley Festival of Food and Drink in 2019.  In response to a number of questions raised, the Commercial Manager, provided the Committee with the following information:

·                 In addition to staff costs, costs relating to social media, installation of toilets and waste, security, first aid, marquees, staging etc. made up the other costs of £12,800 detailed in the report.

·                 Officers would be looking to identify sponsorship at the same level as 2019 ensuring the event would break even or generate a surplus and at this point Members were also reminded of the risks identified with running such an event.

·                 Any capital costs such as website etc. for 2019 would, where possible be reused from 2019 and therefore reduce costs further.

·                 The figures in terms of risk to the Council related to holding one event, if two events were to be agreed Officers would hope, for example, to reduce costs through negotiations with vendors etc.

Officers were requested to ensure that when bringing forward any future such events that along with accurate figures they were supported by a cost benefit analysis.

Councillor A S Fluker commented on the success of the recent Festival of Food and drink.  In response to comments regarding a second festival in Maldon he proposed that recommendation (iv) be amended to request that Officers bring back to this Committee, as a matter of urgency, a business plan that clearly presented the fully costed figures proposed.  This was duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)              That the post event summary report attached as Appendix A to the report be noted;

(ii)            That the total risk exposure to Maldon District Council for a future event of £16,201 (made up staff costs £3,399 + Other costs £12,802), this is subject to supplementary funding request (growth bid), be noted;

(iii)          That subject to (ii) above the continuation of the Crouch Valley Festival in 2020 be supported;

(iv)           That Members agree to officers exploring a similar food and drink event to be hosted in Maldon’s Promenade Park and that Officers bring back to this Committee, as a matter of urgency, a business plan that clearly presents the fully costed figures proposed.