Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 86 KBVenue: Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham.
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Apologies for Absence Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Dawn Topliss, Julie Roberts and Jane Sinclair. |
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Minutes of previous meeting held on 26th October, 2006 Minutes: Agreed:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of this Group held on 26th October, 2006 be received as a correct record. |
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Matters Arising Minutes: Lions Club
Due to logistical problems with regard to timings on switch on evening, it was noted with regret that it had not been possible to include the Lions Club in Christmas Parade activities this year.
Christmas Carols
The programme for transmission of Christmas Carols in Effingham Square was working well.
Bernadette Burbridge, Town Centre Management Team, was presently filming Christmas events as part of the Festivities Programme for transmission through The Big Screen. This was working well.
In addition, BBC Christmas films would be transmitted through The Big Screen late next week.
The Mayor reported that he had met with Bernadette to record a Christmas Message and had extended her an invitation to accompany him on any events in local schools/churches as part of his Mayoral duties in order to accumulate Christmas viewing footage for The Big Screen.
Lights Installation
Marie Hayes, Commercial and Promotional Services Manager, reported some problems caused to Christmas lights due to high winds.
These were being addressed immediately.
Lighting Engineers had managed to fix the “Merry Christmas” light in situ which had not necessitated the unit being sent away.
Town Centre Activities
Dawn Runciman, Events and Promotions Officer reported that the following events had yet to take place in the countdown to Christmas:-
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Scrutiny Review - Christmas Lights Minutes: Marie Hayes, Commercial and Promotional Services Manager, reported on the recommendations of a Scrutiny Review of Christmas Illuminations commissioned by the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee to the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel.
This followed a ‘call-in’ of Minute No. 33 of a meeting of the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure held on 22nd August, 2006.
The Scrutiny Review Group had looked at the current service provision for Christmas Lights and Trees, both in Rotherham Town Centre and in the Districts.
The recommendations had been discussed by both the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure and Economic Development Services and further clarification was being sought on a number of recommendations of the Scrutiny Review. The template was being considered at the next meeting of PSOC. A report would then be submitted to Cabinet from which it is hoped to receive clear guidance on a way forward for next year.
In the interim period awaiting a Christmas Illuminations Strategy, a decision has been taken by the Cabinet Member, Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure to extend the current contract for the provision of town centre Christmas lights with Blachere Illuminations UK for a further year.
The outcome of the Review will determine the future of the Christmas Carnival Co-ordinating Group. |
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Switch on Evening - Debriefing Session Minutes: Marie Hayes, Commercial and Promotional Services Manager, submitted a de-briefing note following a meeting of Officers on 1st December, 2006 convened to discuss the Christmas Carnival.
Bernadette Burbridge, Town Centre Management Team would be submitting a de-briefing note to Marie Hayes after this meeting.
The Police had raised concerns regarding the overcrowding of All Saints Square on switch on evening.
However, the Council’s Health and Safety Section had not been overly concerned.
It was reported that there had been no problems on switch on evening.
Officers had agreed the need to plan each year on its own merits depending on who the star act from Hallam FM would be, in terms of crowd management and anticipated numbers.
The only other issues were (a) the size of illuminated lanterns for the lighting parade. These had been too large for the younger children (b) the designated area for children being picked up.
The Mayor agreed the switch on evening had been a well organised event and thanked all concerned for their hard work.
Ideas for next year were discussed. These included:-
- two illuminated parades with split age groups - the route of the parade - use of artwork/sculptures - improved torches to light lanterns |