Agenda item

Consider report by Director, Resilient Communities. (To follow.)

5.1       With reference to paragraph x of the Minute of the Meeting held on 7 December 2021, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Director, Resilient Communities which provided a refreshed Strategic Events Plan for the Scottish Borders over a five year period between 2022 and 2027.  The report outlined the significant impact events had on the region and also the supporting role Scottish Borders Council had in the delivery of those events.  The report explained that the Council successfully facilitated and supported a wide range of regional, national and international events, which in turn delivered a significant economic impact to the local economy.  The refreshed events plan took into account the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the events sector, and placed an emphasis on sustainability, the environment and local communities.  An operations Plan supported the strategy document and set out how the various strategic actions would be delivered.   The report reflected the high level of ambition in the Scottish Borders in relation to the delivery of strategic events.  That ambition would help secure further growth within the events sector, broaden the base and help attract more visitors to the area. The Chief Officer – Economic Development, Samantha Smith presented the report and highlighted that the Plan sought to provide a balance between financial and staffing support. 

5.2       Members welcomed the report and expressed their optimism that the Plan would benefit the whole of the region. Ms Smith agreed to provide a briefing to all Elected Members.  In response to a question regarding staffing arrangements and contract durations, Ms Smith explained that the desire was to recruit two full time members of staff for 18 months in order to focus on delivery.  In response to a question regarding the use of suggestions rather than requirements in the report in the context of environmental issues, Ms Smith explained that the sustainability elements in the report were taken extremely seriously, that a balanced approach had been sought to promote constructive outcomes and undertook to assess the language used in the future.  Regarding the allocation of profit to a private individual or company that did not directly result in community/social benefits to the Scottish Borders, the Chief Officer explained that a balance had to be reached between community led and business led events as both had positive impacts on the region.  Events that were privately operated would potentially have their profits capped in accordance with subsidy controls, and was a key part of delivering benefits to the region, ensuring that events took place, and that money was not invested where it was not required.  In response from a question from the Chairman regarding sporting development and the legacy rebound, Ms Smith explained that work was ongoing with a range of partners and that with more staffing further benefits could be achieved.  

DECISION

AGREED to:

(a)        approve the Scottish Borders Strategic Events Plan identified in Appendix A of the report; and

(b)       approve the Scottish Borders Operational Plan identified in Appendix B to the report.