Agenda item

A report of the Head of Leisure and Culture.

Key Decision

Considered, a report of the Head of Leisure and Culture to consider options for 2020 Loughborough events (Covid-19) (item 7 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Councillor Seaton, Chair of the Scrutiny Commission, presented a report setting out the Commission’s pre-decision scrutiny of the matter and recommendation (copy filed with these minutes).

The Head of Leisure and Culture assisted with consideration of the report.  In response to a suggestion from Councillor Mercer, she agreed to look into whether the Loughborough Christmas Lights switch on might be filmed and made available online.

The Cabinet Lead Member for Loughborough wished to thank the Head of Leisure and Culture for her work in identifying, where possible, alternatives to the Loughborough events that could not take place in 2020 due to the pandemic. 

RESOLVED

1.      that the delivery of Loughborough Fair in its current format should not proceed for 2020;

2.      that the 799th year of the Royal Charter Fair will be celebrated with a few children’s rides and food stalls along with an opening ceremony, commissioned in a Covid-secure manner, to reflect the importance and history of the Royal Charter Fair;

3.      that the Loughborough Remembrance Day event should go ahead without a parade and in a revised format with additional social media/virtual elements;

4.      that the Loughborough Christmas Lights switch on event be cancelled but the usual Christmas lights display be erected alongside a Special Christmas Market;

5.      that the Town Hall Pantomime be cancelled and rebooked for 2021;

6.      that alternative uses for the Town Hall auditorium be considered for the 2020 pantomime season;

7.      that the report of the Scrutiny Commission be noted.

Reasons 

1.      The safety, economics and management issues are too great to make Loughborough Fair viable or safe in its current format.

2.      To uphold the Royal Charter Fair by staging an alternative and appropriate event to celebrate its rich history and heritage.

3.      The management of large numbers of people attending a parade, many of whom will be from more vulnerable groups, means safety cannot be ensured. A small service, with social media support, will enable the event to go ahead in a different format.

4.      To avoid a large number of people coming together at a specific time (lights switch on).  A Christmas market, lit by the festive lights, will provide an alternative option with visitors and activity spread across several days.

5.      It takes months rather than weeks to organise the Town Hall Pantomime, preparations made to date will contribute to the delivery of next year’s pantomime. A decision to cancel the Pantomime in August will prevent any further expenditure being committed in the next few months.

6.      With the seating retracted the space in the auditorium can support a range of financially viable shows and events that are in line with Government guidance.

7.      To acknowledge the work undertaken by and the views of the Scrutiny Commission.

Note: In all cases the Council was considering these options with regards to its ability to meet the Covid Secure Guidance relative to the event or activity under consideration.