Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on the work carried out to invite proposals from external organisations to support and fund an Air Festival and recommends a way forward in relation to the future delivery of the Air Festival.

It is RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)            Agrees to Option 2 to take forward further exploration work on the feasibility of providing a 10-year agreement with the potential operator for 2026 onwards.

(b)           Agrees to taking forward Option 4 to seek to source sponsorship for the funding gap for 2026 onwards.

(c)            Notes the financial implications detailed in the summary of financial implications.

(d)           Notes the requirement for event team staff and other council teams for contract management and sponsorship work; and

(e)            Delegates to the Director of Commercial Operations in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations, the implementation of these decisions with a report to come back to Cabinet at an appropriate time.

Voting: 9:1

Portfolio Holder: Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations

Reason

To enable the ongoing delivery of a destination event to achieve the corporate strategy of supporting local areas to thrive, and creating opportunities for the local area, recognising the value of the event to the local economy whilst also acknowledging the council’s current and future financial position.

The Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'H' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report provided an update on the work carried out to invite proposals from external organisations to support and fund an Air Festival and recommends a way forward in relation to the future delivery of the Air Festival.

Members addressed the Cabinet addressing concern with regards to the length of the 10-year commitment and the ability to commercialise the beachfront.

Cabinet discussed the report highlighting the hidden costs of the event and the misinformation within the public in terms of the amount of money that the council has made from the air festival.

Cabinet spoke in support of the airshow and of events for people to enjoy and to bring trade into the town.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: - 

(a)           Agrees to Option 2 to take forward further exploration work on the feasibility of providing a 10-year agreement with the potential operator for 2026 onwards.

(b)           Agrees to taking forward Option 4 to seek to source sponsorship for the funding gap for 2026 onwards.

(c)           Notes the financial implications detailed in the summary of financial implications.

(d)           Notes the requirement for event team staff and other council teams for contract management and sponsorship work.

(e)           Delegates to the Director of Commercial Operations in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations, the implementation of these decisions with a report to come back to Cabinet at an appropriate time.

Voting: For:9 Against:1

Portfolio Holder: Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations

Reason

To enable the ongoing delivery of a destination event to achieve the corporate strategy of supporting local areas to thrive, and creating opportunities for the local area, recognising the value of the event to the local economy whilst also acknowledging the council’s current and future financial position.

Councillor Andy Hadley left the meeting at 1.30 pm at the conclusion of this item.