(i)         that the Grinagog Festival 2019 be supported and go ahead with the event being funded from proceeds raised from ticket income, sponsorship, and other income so that the event is delivered without any direct funding from the Council; and

(ii)        that new opportunities be explored to deliver a long-term sustainable version of Grinagog Festival from 2020 without any direct financial support from the Council.

The proposals contained within the submitted report were intended to reduce the financial commitment of the Council for the running of Grinagog Festival by scaling back the offer in 2019 to a much smaller event on Torre Abbey site, mainly centred around the Spanish Barn, whereby the income from ticket sales, sponsorship and stallholders easily outstrips the expenditure on infrastructure and acts.

Alternative options were set out in the submitted report.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on 16 November 2018 unless the call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

The submitted report provided an update about Grinagog Festival and recommended that the Council should proceed with a scaled back version of the festival in 2019, at zero cost to the Council.  Options should be explored for a long-term self-sustaining model from 2020.

Grinagog Festival presents a unique cultural offer for Torbay and is a key element of the Cultural Strategy for the area.  The event provides a strong eclectic music event for residents and for tourists visiting the area, and is a clear example of the new breed of good quality contemporary cultural events and activities for local people and visitors to engage with that are being developed across Torbay.

The Elected Mayor considered the recommendations of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Operations Team) at the meeting on 5 November 2018 and his decision is set out above.

None