Agenda item

The Head of Paid Service presented a report to Members regarding the West Lindsey District Council and Invest Gainsborough business focussed hospitality event at Scampton Airshow 2017. Members were asked to agree that West Lindsey District Council would not lead the hosting of any further ‘hospitality’ type events at future Scampton Airshows, and to recommend to the Prosperous Communities Committee that they considered whether the Council should be represented at future events and undertook to explore alternative options for the Council to have a presence at the Scampton Airshow, if they considered it to be beneficial to the District.

A Member of Committee commented on the difference between the set up used for West Lindsey District Council at the Lincolnshire Show to that provided at the Scampton Airshow. It was highlighted that there was a considerable cost difference and that based on this, the presence of the Council at the airshow did not appear to offer value for money. Others agreed that, in comparison with the benefits of attending the Lincolnshire Show, there did not appear to have been the same benefits of attending the Scampton Airshow.

Members noted that it did not appear that the Council had had clear objectives as to what should be achieved from the presence at the Scampton Airshow and that any future involvement should be on the basis of having clear, measurable objectives. It was felt that without these objectives, it was difficult to ascertain whether the event had been worthwhile or offered value for money. The Head of Paid Service highlighted that the report suggested that, if West Lindsey District Council were to be involved again, it would be undertaken in a different way. It was noted that there was evidence of new investment in Gainsborough as a result of the involvement at the airshow, for example confirmed backing for Gainsborough College and the creation of several new apprenticeships.

Members expressed their support for the Scampton Airshow as a charity fundraising event but felt that the organisers needed to give greater consideration to the impact on the local communities. It was noted that traffic, parking and public transport had all been severely disrupted and it would have been beneficial for the Council to have liaised with other organisations to ensure minimum disruption.

It was also considered that Members had not had sufficient input into the event and that, in consideration of the aim to bring more business investment into the District, it would have been more worthwhile to involve Members.

The Chairman asked Committee to consider the recommendations on the report and several Members felt that the wording of the first recommendation was confusing. In light of discussions with Officers at Committee, Members felt that it did not appear Officers had been overly involved in the event. It was felt that West Lindsey had not led on the project and as such, Committee could not recommend that the Council would not lead on any like future event. Therefore, it was proposed to change the first recommendation to read:

“That in light of the feedback received, Members agree that West Lindsey District Council could lead the hosting of any further hospitality type events at future Scampton Airshows, subject to them providing value for money.”

With regards to the second recommendation, it was considered that the Council should look to be involved in such events where possible, but that there should be considerable Member input in terms of how the event would be marketed and what the objectives would be. It was therefore proposed that the second recommendation be amended to read:

“That the Challenge and Improvement Committee recommend to the Prosperous Communities Committee that they consider, via a Member Working Group or Steering Group, whether the Council should be represented at future events and undertake to explore alternative options for the Council to have a presence at the Scampton Airshow if they consider that to be beneficial to the District.”

The proposed amendments were moved and seconded.

            RESOLVED that the recommendations be amended as detailed above.

The Head of Paid Service confirmed that, based on the comments of the Committee, the report would be amended prior to presentation at the Prosperous Communities Committee.

The Chairman asked Committee for any further comments prior to voting on the updated recommendations. It was also noted that the Chairman of the Prosperous Communities Committee was present as a visiting Member and as such was aware of the comments and suggestions from the Committee.

            RESOLVED that, as per detailed amendments,

a)    in light of the feedback received, Members agree that West Lindsey District Council could lead the hosting of any further hospitality type events at future Scampton Airshows, subject to them providing value for money; and

b)    it be RECOMMENDED to the Prosperous Communities Committee that they consider, via a Member Working Group or Steering Group, whether the Council should be represented at future events and undertake to explore alternative options, as suggested within the report, for the Council to have a presence at the Scampton Airshow, if they consider that to be beneficial to the District