ECONOMIC REGENERATION & LEISURE POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE |
7 March 2023 |
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2023/24 Events Plan |
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Will this be a Key Decision? |
No |
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Urgency |
Not Applicable |
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Final Decision-Maker |
Not Applicable – report for noting by the Economic Regeneration & Leisure Policy Advisory Committee |
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Lead Head of Service |
Mark Green, Director of Finance, Resources & Business Improvement |
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Lead Officer and Report Author |
Ann-Marie Langley, Arts & Culture Officer |
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Classification |
Public |
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Wards affected |
All |
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Purpose of Report
This report sets out the 2023/24 Events Plan.
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This report makes the following recommendation to the Economic Regeneration & Leisure Policy Advisory Committee:
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1. That the report be noted.
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2023/24 Events Plan |
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1. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS
Issue |
Implications |
Sign-off |
Impact on Corporate Priorities |
The Events Plan will materially improve the Council’s ability to achieve ‘A Thriving Place’ through delivering a variety of high quality arts and cultural events. |
Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement |
Cross Cutting Objectives |
The report recommendation supports the achievement of the ‘Heritage is Respected’ cross-cutting objective by raising awareness of the town’s history and heritage through specific events. The report recommendation supports the achievement of the ‘Health Inequalities are Addressed and Reduced’ cross-cutting objective by helping to reduce social isolation and delivering improvements in physical and mental health for target groups through participation in arts events and activities. |
Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement |
Risk Management |
Risks associated with individual events will be addressed as part of Council procedures. |
Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement
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Financial |
The Plan can be delivered within existing budgets.
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Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement
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Staffing |
No specific implications.
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Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement
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Legal |
No specific implications.
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Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement
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Information Governance |
No specific implications.
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Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement
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Equalities |
No specific implications.
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Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement
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Public Health
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Participating in events is generally likely to have a generally positive implication for population health.
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Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement
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Crime and Disorder |
No specific implications.
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Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement
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Procurement |
No specific implications.
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Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement
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Biodiversity and Climate Change |
It has been noted that action should be taken to ensure events are plastic free and minimise single use products, utilise sustainable vendors, consider public transportation options to access events, and encourage recycling and reuse. |
Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement
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2. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
2.1 As part of the Council’s strategic priority to make Maidstone a thriving place, an annual events programme has been developed, comprising both events run by the Council itself and those where the Council partners with other organisations.
2.2 A programme of events has been planned for the 2023-24 financial year, as outlined in the appendices to this report. There are two categories of event, those being fully funded by MBC and those being funded through other sources but where MBC officers are providing support.
Enc.1 lists only events being planned or supported by MBC
Enc.2 lists all known events being planned in the borough, including those being delivered by third parties/commercial
The following paragraphs provide more detail about some of the main events.
2.3 Medieval Fayre, 8th April, Brenchley Gardens
This will include a variety of re-enactors demonstrating traditional crafts and skills, alongside knight and princess training, puppet shows, medieval music and crime and punishment. A mechanical dragon will roam around the High Street to promote the event on the day.
2.4 Arts Carnival, 15th
July, Lockmeadow – Brenchley Gardens
Emergency Exit Arts have been appointed to deliver the project and are working
with a steering group of local artists and creatives/stakeholders to produce
and direct the event. The title is ‘Wild About Maidstone’ to celebrate
our local wildlife and habitats. Local schools and community groups are being
invited to take part in the parade and there will be entertainment at the start
and end locations. The parade will travel from Lockmeadow via Week Street and
finish in Brenchley Gardens.
2.5 River Festival, 29th July
Following a successful resumption of the annual River Festival in 2022, the event will be community and family focussed, with various zoned areas including a charity area, children’s activities and a music stage at Lockmeadow. MBC is supporting the event with a creative community grant, £3,000 contribution from the Lockmeadow marketing budget and the use of the town square, market hall and the under croft. The carriage museum will be open on the day as it was last year.
2.6 Brenchley Concerts, 8 July – 10 September
There will be 9 concerts this year, 3 on Saturday afternoons and the rest on Sundays. All bands for the Sunday performances are now confirmed:
Jon Hamilton Big Band
Invicta Jazz Orchestra
BAE Systems Brass Band
Sevenoaks & Tonbridge Band
Pete’s Korner Band, Netherlands
East Peckham Silver Band
2.7 Outdoor Theatre, 12 – 20 August
The Hazlitt Theatre will be delivering an outdoor production of ‘Treasure Island’ with more venues added to the tour this year: Amphitheatre, Cobtree Manor Park, Little Fant Farm, Bearsted Green, Marden*, Lenham* and Staplehurst* (*exact locations to be confirmed).
2.8 At this relatively early stage, events continue to be developed, so further events are likely to be added to the programme shown in the appendices.
3. AVAILABLE OPTIONS
3.1 That Members note the report.
4. RISK
4.1 Risks associated with individual events will be addressed as part of Council procedures.
5. NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION
5.1 The events will be publicised widely via social media, broadcasting and print channels etc.
6. REPORT APPENDICES
Enc.1 Events being planned or supported by MBC
Enc.2 All known events being planned in the borough, including those being delivered by third parties/commercial
7. BACKGROUND PAPERS
7.1 None.