To update Members on the progress on the recommendations of the Festival Review.

Councillor H. Bramer, having declared a prejudicial interest as a voting member of the Ross-on-Wye Festival Board of Trustees, left the meeting for the duration of this item.  Councillor A.C.R. Chappell declared a personal interest as a Friend of the Ross Festival.

The Committee was updated on the progress made following the recommendations of the Festivals Review Group approved on 27thNovember 2003.

The Cultural Services Manager briefly brought the Committee up to date on actions taken following the recommendations of the Festivals Review.  Members were told that at the time of the Festivals’ Review the Ross Festival had been in crisis.  That crisis had now stabilised following the provision of an interest free loan from the Council; receipt of half of next year’s Service Level Agreement (SLA) payment; plus additional funding from Ross-on-Wye Town Council.  As a result of the SLA Performance Indicators had been adopted which had originally been created for the revised Cultural Strategy.  The Festivals Review has also resulted in greater co-operation between festivals in the County concerning: marketing, box office arrangements, administration, and in the exchange of ideas and good practice.  Members were also informed of the wider impact of festivals, principally concerning the economic benefits to the County but also concerning the needs of the festivals in relation to matters such as transport and signage.

The Festival Director (Ross-on-Wye International Festival) informed Members how, since the time of the Festivals Review, changes had taken place regarding a revised business plan.  Staffing levels had been reviewed in order to cut costs due to the burden of debt.  That debt had now been removed due to financial support from Herefordshire Council, the Arts Council, and Ross-on-Wye Town Council. The Festival Director (Ross) also reported that the festival was working in partnership with the Courtyard sharing box office arrangements, and had increased its promotions mailing list by 20%.  In relation to Performance Indicators post-festival market research was to be completed in order to quantify the festival success.

The Festival Director (Ledbury Poetry Festival) informed Members that enquiries for the Ledbury Poetry Festival were exceeding expectations with record box office receipts for the opening week.  Members were reminded that the festival was more than just an annual event with events taking place throughout the year, principally through local schools.  The Festival Director (Ledbury) assured Members of the strength of the festival and indicated that an SLA would enable the festival to achieve further success and financial security.

The Director of Policy and Community informed the Committee that whilst there was sympathy for a SLA for the Ledbury Poetry Festival, any decision regarding the allocation of a SLA would have to await the conclusions of the Review of Council Support to the Voluntary Sector which was expected later in the year.

The Chairman invited the Festival Directors to attend a future meeting of the Committee to inform Members how the festivals had progressed. 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and a progress report be presented to the Committee after the festival period.