Decision details

9.1

The Executive Director, Place, submitted a report informing the Cabinet of the benefits of the Council’s continued sponsorship of Sheffield Doc/Fest (“Doc/Fest”), requesting approval for the continued sponsorship of Doc/Fest for a further three years in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and requesting delegated authority for the Director of City Growth, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance and the Director of Finance and Commercial Services, to enter into a grant agreement with Sheffield Doc/Fest.

9.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

approves the Council’s commitment to fund Sheffield Doc/Fest as outlined in the Financial Appendix attached to the report; and

(b)

delegates authority to the Director of City Growth, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance and the Director of Finance and Commercial Services to:

(i)

enter into a grant agreement with Sheffield Doc/Fest (including negotiation and agreement of the relevant contractual terms of the grant agreement); and

(ii)

take all other necessary steps not covered by existing delegations to achieve the outcomes outlined in the report.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

It is recommended that Sheffield Doc/Fest will be awarded a grant for three years, as outlined in the financial appendix and that the Director of City Growth, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance and the Director of Finance and Commercial Services, is granted delegated authority to enter into a grant agreement with Sheffield Doc/Fest.

9.3.2

Providing a three year fixed grant provides both Sheffield Doc/Fest and Marketing Sheffield with certainty that the festival can continue in Sheffield and develop its programme and reputation over the time period. It allows Sheffield to continue to benefit from the wide range of economic and other benefits described in section two of the report.

9.3.3

The proposed outcomes of the funding are to contribute to Sheffield’s economy and status as a cultural and conference destination through assisting Sheffield Doc/Fest in delivering its strategy to:

• Become a world leading A list documentary film festival known for all game-changing non-fiction, all durations, all platforms;

• Continue to grow the Doc/Fest film and alternative realities funding markets into the most successful in the world, with idea to screen tracking and messaging;

• Increase its general public audience to over 30,000, with a stand out reputation for inclusiveness and outreach;

• Discover, nurture and celebrate diverse new and emerging talent; and

• Continue to significantly contribute to the local economy, including creating further activities for delegates and public audiences to engage with business and cultural activities.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

Alternative option 1 – Do nothing.

Providing no sponsorship for Doc/Fest would be likely to result in the permanent withdrawal of Doc/Fest from Sheffield or, at best, a significant reduction in the quality and breadth of the event, risking its international reputation and/or future relocation to an alternative city. This would be likely to mean the approximate £1,749,342 (minimum) delegate spend per year would be lost to the city, and would also have the effect of reducing the city’s profile and reputation within the creative community inside and outside of Sheffield. As the conference is the city’s largest conference, maintaining presence and scale is important for PR purposes.

9.4.2

Alternative option 2 – Enter into a grant agreement for a period of one year

Annual grant arrangements would limit Sheffield Doc/Fest’s ability to develop their programme in line with their three year strategy. A single year agreement would be likely to require a higher level of grant funding to achieve the same outcomes and so a higher cost over the three year period. A single year grant arrangement would risk Sheffield’s opportunity to develop a long term plan for the festival.

9.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

9.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

9.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Laraine Manley, Executive Director, Place.

9.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing