The Festival and Events Officer presented the report which reported applications and events funded from the Event Fund during 2016/17 and also reported quarter four data in this period.  The grants made were approved by the Divisional Director Sports, Leisure, Culture & Youth under delegated powers.

Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee and Members of Grants Determination Sub-Committee broadly supported the operation of the fund, noting that there were some matters to address around effective advertising to the local community and a reduction in applications following the move towards on-line applications.  The Mayor asked that work to address the communications issues highlighted be taken forward.

DECISION

1.         That the annual report of Event Fund grant applications submitted for Quarter 4 and the year as a whole from April 1^st 2016 to March 31^st 2017, and awards approved by the Divisional Director, Sports, Leisure, Culture & Youth be noted.

2.         That work to address communications issues identified by Grants Scrutiny Sub Committee be taken forward.

The Festival and Events Officer presented the report which reported applications and events funded from the Event Fund during 2016/17 and also reported quarter four data in this period.  The grants made were approved by the Divisional Director Sports, Leisure, Culture & Youth under delegated powers.  During the latter part of the year on line applications had been introduced and it had been observed that applications had reduced.  It was thought that this might be due to the appearance of the web form.

The Chair of Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee provided comments on behalf of its Sub-Committee members.  They supported the aims of the fund and by way of scrutiny had examined the delivery of one event.  They found that the event had not been well promoted in the community, there being evidence of its promotion only at Area and Tower Hamlets Homes offices and came to a view that better/wider publicity would have attracted engagement from a greater proportion of the target audience.  The Festival and Events Officer noted the views expressed. She advised that there was a framework of council locations through which organisers were required to publicise their events.  However it was agreed that options to achieve a broader reach into the community would need to be looked into.

Members of Grants Determination Sub-Committee considered the report and indicated that while they broadly supported the operation of the fund, there were some matters to address around effective advertising to the local community and the reduction in applications upon moving to on-line applications.  The Mayor asked that work to address the communications issues highlighted be taken forward.

RESOLVED

1.         That the annual report of Event Fund grant applications submitted for Quarter 4 and the year as a whole from April 1^st 2016 to March 31^st 2017, and awards approved by the Divisional Director, Sports, Leisure, Culture & Youth be noted.

2.         That work to address communications issues identified by Grants Scrutiny Sub Committee be taken forward.