Issue - meetings
City Music Festival
Meeting: 04/07/2022 - Place Scrutiny Committee (Item 82)
82 City Music Festival PDF 527 KB
Referred direct by Cabinet
Additional documents:
- Appendix 1 Southend City Festival - Financial Forecast , View reasons restricted (82/2)
- Webcast for City Music Festival
Minutes:
The Committee considered Minute 67 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 1 July 2022, which had been referred directly to the Committee for scrutiny, together with a report of the Executive Director (Adults and Communities) that sought approval for, and for the Council to partially underwrite, a major music festival to be held in Southend as part of its city year celebrations. The Committee also had before it a confidential financial forecast for the event.
In response to questions raised by members of the Committee, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Tourism undertook to provide details of the highway management and public transport arrangements for the proposed music festival to all members of the Committee, at such time as these had been finalised with the organisers of the festival.
Resolved:
That the following decisions of the Cabinet be noted:
“1. That a proposed major festival with world class artists be supported to lever in significant benefits to the Southend community.
2. That it be noted that commercial sponsorship has already been secured for the festival.
3. That the Council underwrites the cost base of the festival by £125,000 and if required will be funded by the Council’s event budget.
4. That the Director of Culture and Tourism, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture & Tourism, be authorised to agree the final arrangements and continue negotiations with partners on further sponsorship.”
Note: This is an Executive Function
Cabinet Member: Councillor C Mulroney
Meeting: 01/07/2022 - Cabinet (Item 67)
67 City Music Festival PDF 527 KB
Additional documents:
- Appendix 1 Southend City Festival - Financial Forecast , View reasons restricted (67/2)
- Webcast for City Music Festival
Minutes:
The Cabinet received a report of the Executive Director (Adults and Communities) that sought approval for, and for the Council to partially underwrite, Southend hosting a major music festival as part of its city year celebrations. The Cabinet also had before it a confidential financial forecast for the event.
Resolved:
1. That a proposed major festival with world class artists be supported to lever in significant benefits to the Southend community.
2. That it be noted that commercial sponsorship has already been secured for the festival.
3. That the Council underwrites the cost base of the festival by £125,000 and if required will be funded by the Council’s event budget;
4. That the Director of Culture and Tourism, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture & Tourism, be authorised to agree the final arrangements and continue negotiations with partners on further sponsorship.
Reasons for Decisions
The City year is a unique opportunity for Southend to present its capabilities on an increased level of profile. The proposed venue and type of festival can create change in perceptions of place and support local skills infrastructure in event delivery and aligns with several long-term objectives. Feedback from residents on several occasions including 2050 and culture vision surveys has been to develop more major music festival activity. City year would be an ideal opportunity to implement this change. The potential of setting a precedent for bigger events and interest in the festival community in Southend after this first year would be transformational.
Other Options
The event programme could continue with lower profile activity but would not have the step change around Southend’s festival capability in this inaugural City year.
Note: This is an Executive function
Referred direct to Place Scrutiny Committee for consideration
Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney