Issue - meetings

Performance Focus

Meeting: 30/11/2017 - Overview and Scrutiny Performance Panel (Item 45)

Report of the Director of Policy and Governance (enclosed).

Minutes:

The Performance Panel received a report from the Director of Policy and Governance which provided information on the events being delivered by the Council’s Communications and Events Team.

The Council’s events programme aims to –

· Bring people together

· Increase the borough’s profile locally and nationally

· Encourage people to live and work in the borough

· Provide engaging activities for residents improve and /promote health and wellbeing (Chorley Grand Prix)

· support local businesses

It was reported that Chorley Council had gained an excellent reputation for organising and delivering events. Since 2009, the Council’s events delivery had significantly increased from two annual events (Picnic in the Park and the Christmas lights switch on), to a yearlong programme of activities designed for people of all ages.

As part of their work, the Communications and Events Team was also responsible for internal and external communications including press enquires, social media, branding and website development.

Events delivered in 2016/17

Members of the Performance Panel were presented with the following table which outlined information on events delivered over 2016 and 2017. It also provided attendance figures for each event, the amount of income generated were applicable, and the net cost.

Year	Month	Event	Last attendance figures	Income	Net cost (after income)
2017	April	What’s your story, Chorley?	1, 500		5,400
	April	Chorley Grand Prix	2,000+	£4,000	£36,000
	Summer months	Theatre in the Park x2	1,000	£5,000	£2,000
	June	Picnic in the Park	8,000		£15,000
	June	Taste of Chorley	1,000		£2,000
	October	Chorley Live	10,000	£15,000	£0

2016	July	Chorley Flower Show*	13,000	£62,108	£67,000
	November	Astley Park Bonfire and Fireworks*	5,000	£3,000	£14,000
	November	Christmas lights switch on	5,000	£3,000	£14,000
	November	Christmas pantomime	400	£900	£600
	December	Chorley’s Santa Express	2,400	£17,000	£2,000
	December (throughout the month)	Christmas attraction	15,000	£40,000	£5,000
	Total		61,300	£147,508	£161,337**

*2017 figures yet to be confirmed

**Not reflective of total cost of 2017/18 events

It was reported that the Chorley Flower Show was the highest costing event held across the year, with the 2016 show costing in the region of £67,000 (net). Chorley Live was delivered at no net cost to the Council in 2017 due to the income generated from this event covering the outgoing cost of organising the event.

With regards to value for money or cost per attendance –

· Chorley Live shows the best value for money in terms of attendances at nil cost per visitor;

· Chorley Grand Prix was the highest cost event per attendee. However, it was difficult to quantify attendances for this event due to its nature, and the layout of the course. It was therefore considered that the actual attendance at the event held in 2017 was much higher than 2,000 people recorded in the table;

· Chorley Flower Show generated the highest income in 2016, of around £62,000.

Evaluation

Following the delivery of events, customers are asked to complete a satisfaction survey.

The purpose of the evaluation is to gather information on the economic and social impact the event had on the borough ... view the full minutes text for item 45