Agenda item

12.1

A grant agreement has been in place for the last 3 editions of the Sheffield International Documentary Festival (DocFest). This expires following the delivery of the event in 2022.

This report proposes extending the current grant agreement with DocFest for a further year (22/23) to support the delivery of the 2023 event which will be the 30th anniversary. This would give us the opportunity to explore a longer-term arrangement between SCC and DocFest is for the 2024 event and beyond whilst ensuring DocFest is able to continue for 2023. This work is in line with the work of the Strategic Events Group regarding SCC’s future support of major events

12.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Finance Sub-Committee approve a one-year extension to the existing Grant Agreement SCC has with DocFest in the sum of £100K drawn from the Strategic Major Events Fund to support the delivery of DocFest in June 2023.

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

Providing a one-year extension whilst a longer-term agreement is reached ensures stability and viability for Sheffield DocFest whilst they continue to recover from the pandemic (and whilst international travel recovers globally) It ensures that the festival organisers are in a position to plan ahead and develop the festival whilst DocFest recruit and develop their senior team for the years ahead. It ensures Sheffield continues to benefit from the economic impact the festival delivers to our various organisations and businesses (including struggling sectors such as hospitality) The Council will also be able to review its position in 2023 and decide how best to continue any further sponsorship to Doc/Fest.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

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 £1,400,000 (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.

12.4.2

It is worth noting again here that we have reduced the suggested contribution from £150K to 100K.

12.1

The Executive Director, City Futures submitted a report providing details of the  grant agreement that has been in place for the last 3 editions of the Sheffield International Documentary Festival (DocFest). It was reported that this expires following the delivery of the event in 2022.

The report proposes extending the current grant agreement with DocFest for a further year (22/23) to support the delivery of the 2023 event which will be the 30th anniversary. This would give us the opportunity to explore a longer-term arrangement between SCC and DocFest is for the 2024 event and beyond whilst ensuring DocFest is able to continue for 2023. This work is in line with the work of the Strategic Events Group regarding SCC’s future support of major events

12.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Finance Sub-Committee approve a one-year extension to the existing Grant Agreement SCC has with DocFest in the sum of £100K drawn from the Strategic Major Events Fund to support the delivery of DocFest in June 2023.

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

Providing a one-year extension whilst a longer-term agreement is reached ensures stability and viability for Sheffield DocFest whilst they continue to recover from the pandemic (and whilst international travel recovers globally) It ensures that the festival organisers are in a position to plan ahead and develop the festival whilst DocFest recruit and develop their senior team for the years ahead. It ensures Sheffield continues to benefit from the economic impact the festival delivers to our various organisations and businesses (including struggling sectors such as hospitality) The Council will also be able to review its position in 2023 and decide how best to continue any further sponsorship to Doc/Fest.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

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 £1,400,000 (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.

12.4.2

It is worth noting again here that we have reduced the suggested contribution from £150K to 100K.