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Details
Business Item
First Light Festival 2022
Date of Decision
Tue 7 Sep 2021
Description
Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Development, and the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Communities, Leisure and Tourism
Matter for Decision (to consider...)
1. That Cabinet notes the significant positive impact of the First Light Festival to the local economy and communities and the positive response to the Longest Days of Summer 2021.
2. That Cabinet agrees to support the 2022 First Light Festival with a grant of £200,000 comprising the already allocated £114,277 from the Business Rate Pilot Reserve and a further £85,723 growth to the General Fund in 2022/23.
Service Area 2
Economic Development & Regeneration
Background Papers:
See attached report.
Is Decision District Wide
No
Decision Made
1.That the significant positive impact of the First Light Festival to the local economy and communities and the positive response to the Longest Days of Summer 2021 be noted.
2. That the 2022 First Light Festival with a grant of £200,000 comprising the already allocated £114,277 from the Business Rate Pilot Reserve and a further £85,723 growth to the General Fund in 2022/23, be supported.
Reason for Decision
The FLF has proven that when a full festival programme is delivered it achieves substantial economic, social and community outputs and outcomes, including raising pride and aspiration, job creation, volunteering opportunities and increased direct and indirect spend. In addition, it has demonstrated the ability to attract visitors from beyond the usual tourist catchment areas. The hugely positive profile of this event also mitigates some of the more negative perceptions of the town and combined with the massive business and infrastructure investment taking place highlights Lowestoft as a growing, dynamic and exciting place to be.
ESC has recently submitted a joint expression of interest with Great Yarmouth BC to become the UK City of Culture 2025. If successful, this will create a step change in investment in the local cultural and creative sector and put Lowestoft (and ES) on the map at a national and international level. The First Light Festival is a significant cultural event which has strengthened the bid and a decision to not fund a full programme could damage the outcome of the bid. If the bid is successful however, this has the potential to substantially increase the scale and ambition of future festivals.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected
Not to financially support the festival in 2022, which will cut the budget by 50% and will significantly impact on the delivery, scale and ambition.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared
None.
Any Dispensation Granted
None.
Decision Criteria
This Decision does not contain any decision criteria records.
Wards
Kirkley and Pakefield
Topics
This Decision does not contain any Topic records
Overview and Scrutiny
This Decision does not contain any Overview and Scrutiny records.
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Decision History
08/09/2021 12:28:53 | Karen Cook | General Details Edited | |
09/09/2021 08:58:27 | Karen Cook | General Details Edited | |
20/09/2021 13:06:44 | Maxine Green | Status Changed | Implemented [7] |
20/09/2021 13:06:44 | Maxine Green | Status Changed | Implemented [7] |
22/10/2021 11:34:45 | Matt Makin | Status Changed | Implemented [7] |
03/11/2021 16:43:23 | Maxine Green | Status Changed | Implemented [7] |
Approval/Comments
No history found.