Agenda item

Consideration was given to the findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Review Group, who had looked at the current service provision for Christmas lights and trees, as reported to the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee on 10^th November, 2006.

The Review had recommended that a Christmas Illuminations Strategy be produced and submitted to the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel in March, 2007.  However, this did not coincide with the timetable for going out to tender as the existing Town Centre illuminations contract expired at the end of the financial year.  A solution would be to temporarily extend the existing contract for 1 year for the Town Centre and thereby give time to develop a Strategy. 

A meeting was to be held on 14^th November between officers in Culture and Leisure Services and Economic and Development Services to further discuss the options available.

Resolved:-  (1)  That a report be submitted to the Cabinet Member meeting on 28^th November, 2006.

(2)  That the above report clarify the recommendation regarding a single Special Events budget for Christmas trees, illuminations, events and activities.