E23/026 PRESENT

Councillors Hartley, Banks, Forrest, Russell, Watson and Wood

A Keppel-Green (Town Clerk)

 

E23/027 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllrs Coan and Lowe (personal business)

 

E23/028 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

No member declared an interest in any item under discussion.

 

E23/029 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

No members of the public were present.

 

E23/030 CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd October 2023.

 

E23/031 REVIEW OF YEAR TO DATE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

The committee income and expenditure year-to-date was noted.

 

E23/032 RECENT AND UPCOMING EVENTS

In respect of the Christmas events, it was suggested the band be slowed down for the Santa Parade and that officers explore how the parade could be made larger for 2025. In respect of the Pumpkin Path, the Town Clerk clarified that there is no charge for businesses to participate, it was agreed that more could potentially be raised by donations than charges and  noted that more card readers would be required for 2025.

In respect of the 2024 Music Festival it was agreed that greater variety of acts would be beneficial  which it was noted officers were looking into. It was suggested that the Clonter Opera be invited to showcase and that events for younger demographics would be nice.

 

E23/033 ARTS EVENT AND COMMUNITY FUN DAY

It was RESOLVED that arts elements be incorporated within the 2024 Music Festival as a trial, that £1,000 of the Arts Event budget be transferred to the Music Festival budget and that the balance be removed from the budget.

It was RESOLVED to proceed with a community fun day at the open space on Longridge/Boothfields noting the marketing of the event would be crucial for its success.

 

E23/034 STRATEGIC PLAN

The status of actions under the committee were noted.

Cllr Wood reported he was meeting with the organisers of the Yule Yomp in the new year to explore how it could deliver greater benefit to the town.

It was RESOLVED to approve the draft action plan for 2024/25 as presented.

 

E23/035 OUTSTANDING MATTERS LOG

It was noted that note there were no outstanding actions on the log.

 

E23/036 QUESTIONS TO THE TOWN CLERK

The Town Clerk responded to a question advising the Young Artist of the Year competition would be programmed now the decision on the arts event had been made.

 

E23/037  DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the next scheduled meeting would be held on 15th April 2024 at 6:30pm.