Currently the Council’s organises Family Fun Days, Strawberry Fair,

Lighting Up Brentwood and Shenfield Christmas Fayre. The planned events programme for 2018/19 is before Members today in Appendix A, which will be subject to Members agreement and also subject to the annual budget setting process.

The Chair, expressed concerns about the financial cost of the events, especially relating to the income gap relating to Lighting up Brentwood and

Shenfield Christmas Fayre.

Shenfield Christmas Fayre Event this year, was on some date as the Billericay Christmas Event, would this event be more successful if on an alternative date.

Cllr Cloke, Ingatestone were unable to have their Christmas Fayre this year, due to funding.  He requested that financial support be made available for all Wards wishing to have a Christmas Event in the Borough.

Cllr Wiles, request clarification on the figures in Appendix A and asked Mrs Anderson, to confirm that Lighting up Brentwood is likely to be in deficit and that the other events are due to make a profit, subject to sponsorship and stallhollder income. This was confirmed by the Officer, who clarified that all events are covered under Event Cancellation insurance, but also by the amount of stallholder and sponsorship income received. There is an allocated budget to hold these events, but there are additional costs implications for the events such as overtime, depot services which also contribute to the overall costs of the events.

The Chair, requested a review of cost for events going forward and which maybe could be included in the Leisure Strategy.  Views on sponsorship and the option of outside provider were also discussed.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Poppy to approve the recommendations in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED that:

1.    That Members agree to the Event Plan for 2018/19 as set out in

Appendix A, subject to the annual budget setting process.

Reasons for Recommendation

The Community events programme provides a platform for all service areas across the Council to promote new initiatives, projects or as a means of consultation with the public. The Council will work with the local business clusters, community groups and voluntary sector organisations to develop the community events so that will enhance and support the support the local community.