Agenda item

10.1

Members considered a report of the Executive Director, City Futures seeking  approval for the development of a new major events plan.

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Economic Development and Skills Policy Committee:-

1.    Note the current events programme (including the wider economic impact of events in Sheffield) and sets out the need for a proactive major events plan that contributes to the Council’s strategic aims, including Destination Management Plan and the Culture Strategy set out in this report

2.    Note the interim position on how events are commissioned and how they are funded.

3.    Approve the development of a new major events plan.

4.    Note that future updates and decisions will be brought back to this committee as required.

5.    Request that officers examine and report back on the potential for enhancing and developing the Major Events Plan, what costs would be associated with this, and how it this could be delivered.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

With events becoming central to many of our city strategies it is necessary and timely to;

·       Note the impact of the current major events programme

·       Note the challenges versus our aspirations in this space

·       Consider the opportunities for us to ‘do events better’

·       Support the considered interim position on principles of which events we support and how we finance them as compiled by the City Events Group led by Kate Martin Support/Commission a fully costed and resourced events plan to inform our future work on events.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Continuing as we are would likely see costs spiralling, opportunities needing short term emergency budgets and other longer term opportunities to capitalise on events lost.

We could focus only on ‘no cost events’ but this would remove Sheffield’s ability to bid for significant national and international events.

10.1.1

Members considered a report of the Executive Director, City Futures seeking  approval for the development of a new major events plan.

10.1.2

The Director of Economy, Skills and Culture gave an overview of the current events programme, its economic impact, and its brand and reputational benefits. The fragmented budgets for events were noted, as well as resource pressures faced by the team. The committee heard that more could be done to maximise investment and have a greater impact such as the creation of an events commissioning function and financial backing for event bids.

10.1.3

It was moved by Cllr Smith and seconded by Cllr Moynahan, as an amendment,

that the recommendations submitted be amended by the addition of a recommendation with the wording “Request that officers examine and report back on the potential for enhancing and developing the Major Events Plan, what costs would be associated with this, and how it this could be delivered”.

The amendment was put to the vote and carried.

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR – 9 Members; AGAINST – 0 Members;

ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members.)

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Economic Development and Skills Policy Committee:-

1.    Note the current events programme (including the wider economic impact of events in Sheffield) and sets out the need for a proactive major events plan that contributes to the Council’s strategic aims, including Destination Management Plan and the Culture Strategy set out in this report

2.    Note the interim position on how events are commissioned and how they are funded.

3.    Approve the development of a new major events plan.

4.    Note that future updates and decisions will be brought back to this committee as required.

5.    Request that officers examine and report back on the potential for enhancing and developing the Major Events Plan, what costs would be associated with this, and how it this could be delivered.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

With events becoming central to many of our city strategies it is necessary and timely to;

·       Note the impact of the current major events programme

·       Note the challenges versus our aspirations in this space

·       Consider the opportunities for us to ‘do events better’

·       Support the considered interim position on principles of which events we support and how we finance them as compiled by the City Events Group led by Kate Martin Support/Commission a fully costed and resourced events plan to inform our future work on events.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Continuing as we are would likely see costs spiralling, opportunities needing short term emergency budgets and other longer term opportunities to capitalise on events lost.

We could focus only on ‘no cost events’ but this would remove Sheffield’s ability to bid for significant national and international events.