Agenda item

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure which sought approval for a revised City Events programme for 2011/2012 following a reduction in budget of £198,000, and support of the transfer of the 50+ City Events Officer from the City Events Team to the Social Care and Wellbeing Service.

The report advised that the events detailed in the programme contributed to the Common Good of the city, were all-inclusive, maintained and developed the city’s continued civic pride and showcasedAberdeen’s ability to attract and host major cultural and sporting events. 

With regards financing of the events, it was highlighted that in order to address the reduction in funding in 2011/12, City Events Officers would look to develop a suitable charging regime for each event in an effort to gradually reduce the cost of delivering future events to the Council.  The team would also explore ways to maximise income through sponsorship and the recovery of fees for advice and consultancy time allocated to support external event organisers who ran commercial activities in the city.

The proposed City Events programme for 2011/2012, which totalled a budget of £360,000, was attached as appendix 1 to the report.

In relation to the structure of the City Events Team, it was advised that at present the 50+ programme of activities had been undertaken by the City Events Team, in partnership with the team in Social Care and Wellbeing relating to the older population in Aberdeen.  However, following positive discussions with the service it had been agreed that approval would be sought to transfer the post of 50+ City Events Officer from the City Events Team within Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure to Social Care and Wellbeing by 1 April, 2011.  All costs for the programme and the salary had been approved by the Common Good Fund for the financial year 2011/2012. 

Finally, it was advised that during the recent restructuring of Economic and Business Development Team, it was decided that the activities associated with the Council’s Twinning responsibilities would be aligned with the work of the City Events Team.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee -

(a)       support the revised City Events programme due to a budgetary reduction of £198,000; and

(b)       support the transfer of the 50+ City Events Officer from the City Events Team located in Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure to Social Care and Wellbeing; 

The Convener, seconded by the Vice-Convener, moved:-

that the recommendations be approved and that officers explore:- (1) the possibility of asking city centre businesses to contribute towards fireworks for Hogmanay; and (2) introducing volunteer groups to assist with festive weekend events across the city.

As an amendment, Councillor Crockett, seconded by Councillor Boulton, moved:-

that officers encourage businesses to support the Hogmanay fireworks financially and that the Council start the contribution to the required funding through ceasing the Tartan day and Wallace celebrations and allocating the £28,000 to the Hogmanay fireworks.

On a division, there voted:-  for the motion (10) – the Convener;  the Vice-Convener;  and Councillors Cormie, Greig, Jaffrey, McCaig, Milne, Penny,  Robertson and Wendy Stuart;  for the amendment (4) – Councillors Adam, Boulton, Crockett and Young.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the motion.