Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       This report details a proposal to deliver four outdoor events, delivered by the Belfast International Arts Festival, in partnership with Council.  Each event will require closure of a substantial portion of CS Lewis Square.

1.2       The dates proposed are 1st and 2nd October or 15th and 16th October 2022 with performance times daily at 1pm and 3pm. The organisers also propose to deliver facilitation of movement and acrobatic workshops to the public. 

1.3       The report also seeks approval for the Council to continue to provide financial support to the Belfast International Arts Festival, of £20,000, given the positive economic impact it has for the City, improved good relations and attractiveness of the Council assets. 

2.0       Recommendations

               The Committee is asked to:

·        Approve this proposal from Belfast International Arts Festival to deliver four performances in CS Lewis Square in October 2022. 

·        To provide financial support for this event of £20,000 given the positive economic impact they have for the city, improved good relations and attractiveness of the Council assets.

·        Agree for officers to consider how the financial investment strands for this event can be streamlined and aligned under the Cultural Strategy, via the Economic Development Unit and the Core Multi annual grant (CMAG).

·        Agree that the appropriate legal agreements for the events, including bond arrangements are prepared to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.

·        Agree that event organisers are required to meet all statutory requirements and responsibilities including Public Liability Insurance cover, Health and Safety, Food Safety and licensing.

·        Agree that the event organisers shall consult with public bodies and local communities as necessary.

2.2       Please note that the above recommendations are taken as pre-policy position, in advance of the Council agreeing a more structure framework and policy for ‘Events’, which is currently being taken forward in conjunction with the Councils Commercial team.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       Over the past number of years, the Council has established a successful partnership with Belfast International Arts Festival. These types of event are well-received by audiences and significantly add to the attractiveness of the Council’s parks and open spaces.

3.2       The partnership has delivered a diverse range of events which has had wide appeal for local communities as well as attracting significant numbers of tourists and visitors to the city.

3.3       This year the Arts festival intend to use CS Lewis Square on either 01st and 02nd October or 15th and 16th October 2022.

3.4       Members will be aware that in previous years the Council has provided financial support to the event of £20,000. As a condition to the funding, Belfast International Arts Festival are required to build an audience from across the city. Past successful BIAF / BCC events have been held at Botanic Gardens, CS Lewis Square and Falls Park.

3.5       The proposed 2022 events include a mixture of theatrical performances and interactive workshops. Cristal Palace is an outdoor theatrical spectacular featuring a local community cast. Taroo - Said Mouhssine is a Moroccan circus and movement artist and Roll Model – Simple Cypher fuses hip hop and circus to create dynamic, uplifting performances. All performances and workshops will be free to the public.

3.6       The events will require the closure of all or a substantial proportion of the facility for the event set up and derig.

3.7       Consultation by Belfast International Arts Festival will be undertaken with other local stakeholders such as Connswater Community Greenway and Eastside Arts

3.8       The Belfast Agenda sets out our joint city vision and long-term ambitions and outcomes as well as outlining priorities for action every four years. The development of a ‘Transformational Places’ approach across the city offers real opportunity to highlight proximity to key transport links, Connswater cycle path and arterial routes.

3.9       The application will be supported by an event management plan and will be subject to the organisers liaising with Council officers and meeting all statutory, legal and health and safety requirements.

            Financial and Human Resource Implications

3.10      The people and Communities Committee on 3 December 2019, were informed that the financial support to this event was via several different funding streams such as core annual funding, community festivals fund and C&NS department. Each is managed by separate funding agreements and monitored independently. To maximise outcomes on investment it is recommended that officers consider how these arrangements can be streamlined for future funding and aligned under the Cultural Strategy, via the Economic Development Unit.  

3.11      £20,000 is contained within existing revenue estimates for 2022.

            Asset and Other Implications

3.12      There are no asset or other implications with this report

            Equality or Good Relations Implications/

            Rural Needs Assessment

3.13      There are no known implications.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations as outlined at section 2.0 of the report.