Agenda item

In 2022 there will be year long Platinum Jubilee celebrations throughout the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world as communities come together to celebrate The Queen’s historic reign.

There will be series of Beacon Lighting events across the country on the evening of Thursday, 2 June.  The Council’s Corporate Management Board proposed that the option of holding a beacon lighting event be given to the charter trustees of Poole

The Head of Destination and Events presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Charter Trustees were advised that throughout the year members of the Royal Family would be travelling around the Country to undertake various engagements and mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.  This will culminate in the Platinum Jubilee weekend in June with an extended Bank Holiday from 2-5 June 2022.  This provides the opportunity for communities and people throughout the UK to come together to celebrate this milestone.  The Head of Destination and Events reported that this would include events and community activities as well as national moments of reflection on the Queen’s 70 years of service.

The Charter Trustees were asked to consider whether they wish to take up the opportunity of holding a beacon lighting event for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee as part of the national beacon lighting event on 2 June 2022. The Council’s Corporate Management Board proposed that the option of holding a beacon lighting event be given to the Charter Trustees of Bournemouth, Poole and the Town Council of Christchurch.  The Head of Destination and Events reported that the management would be through the events team who would assist with the organisation with the responsibility for the purchase of the beacon to be funded by the Charter Trustees.  He explained that there was a beacon in Poole so there was no need to purchase one.  The Charter Trustees were advised that the location of the beacon was an important determinant of the success of the event.  The Charter Trustees were advised that the beacon event could be aligned with another event whilst the main focus was to have a network of beacons.  The Head of Destination and Events referred to the discussions at the Bournemouth Charter Trustees meeting held earlier in the week who had accepted a beacon lighting event and were looking at the potential for funding together with partnership investment from commercial operators a firework display at the same time as the beacon lighting ceremony.

The Deputy Mayor asked where the beacon would be located.  Councillor Stribley reported on her experience and referred to Sea View top of Evening Hill where the Purbecks could be viewed and outside the harbour entrance where a beacon could be seen along the coast.  The Mayor also referred to a beacon event that had been held at Baiter Park.  Councillor Trent commented on the report suggesting that the event should be undertaken in the most appropriate location and that there could be more than one beacon.  The Head of Destination and Events clarified that in the past beacon lighting had not been well attended not necessarily in Poole but in other areas so if the Charter Trustees wanted to do something associated with a specific event which was being held on 4 or 5 June then that may be an option for the lighting event.  However, the best option was for it to form part of the national event with the events team undertaking the primary arrangements.  Councillor Hadley acknowledging the role of the Charter Trustees in celebrating the history of Poole highlighted that the main purpose was for beacons to be seen and linked.  He asked if it was known what other parts of Dorset were doing. The Head of Destination and Events indicated that he was not aware of arrangements across Dorset, but he would check on the position. He also referred to the website where interest could be registered.   Councillor Butler suggested that Baiter Park would be an ideal site to encourage a community event with easy access and no direct health and safety issues.  The Charter Trustees commented on the locations that had been suggested and a potential to hold two events. 

Councillor Haines proposed that the Charter Trustees of Poole support the beacon lighting event and the details as to where the beacon should be located be developed by the Head of Destination and Events in consultation with the Mayor and the Sheriff and as part of the planning for the event it be co-ordinated possibly with a firework display and properly linked with the Bournemouth Charter Trustees event.   

The Head of Destination and Events reported that his team would not be in a position to organise two events. He also sought clarification on who to liaise with on the event. It was suggested that consultation should be undertake with the Civic Party as appropriate.

RESOLVED that the Charter Trustees support holding a Beacon lighting event for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the details as to where the beacon should be located be developed by the Head of Destination and Events in consultation with the Mayor and the Sheriff, and as part of the planning for the event it be co-ordinated possibly with a firework display and properly linked with the Bournemouth Charter Trustees event.   

Voting: Agreed