Cost of hosting Tall Ships in May 2018

Dear B Green

Thank you for your recent Freedom of Information request.  Wirral Council
can advise the following information in response to the queries raised.

The total contribution made by Wirral Borough Council to host the Tall
Ships event in May 2018

Wirral Council was a partner in the Three Festivals Tall Ships Regatta
event working closely with Liverpool as the host port. As part of this
joint working, Wirral Council submitted a funding application to Arts
Council England which was successful and resulted in the Council receiving
a grant of £77,000 to deliver a programme of arts and entertainment. The
Council’s financial contribution to the event has been mainly in respect
of meeting our responsibilities around ensuring the safety and wellbeing
of the public (e.g. traffic management, security, medical provision and
toilets).  The Council also took steps to generate income during the
weekend specifically in relation to food and drink concessions at the
events held in New Brighton and Hamilton Square, Birkenhead.

Breakdown of costs associated with hosting the event

We are currently reviewing expenditure and income in line with the
estimated budget prepared in advance of the event.  As a result, we are
unable at this time to provide a breakdown of costs.

The procurement process to select suppliers for the event

All expenditure has been undertaken with due regard to the Council’s
procurement guidelines.  The programme of arts and entertainment has been
commissioned in line with the application made to Arts Council England
which required the Council to specify as far as possible the artists with
which the Council would be working or how individual commissioning
elements would be taken forward.  This included, for example, inviting
local performers and musicians to take part in the event.

The method by which you chose to financially support this event rather
than smaller community events

As indicated above, Liverpool was the host port for the Three Festivals
Tall Ships Regatta as part of a Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
funded project.  Taking into account experience of similar major events
linked to the River Mersey, the local authority has a responsibility to
ensure public safety and wellbeing where there is a likelihood that crowds
will gather for the waterfront views offered in Wirral.  Over and above
this, the event was identified as a key opportunity to promote the Borough
and deliver outcomes as identified in Wirral’s Culture Strategy.  The
programme of arts and entertainment funded by Arts Council England
provided an opportunity for local groups and communities to participate,
both in terms of performing as part of the event programme and in terms of
increasing participation in cultural events.  The event attracted an
audience of tens of thousands and will have achieved a significant
economic impact for the Borough.  A full evaluation of the event is
currently being prepared. 

This event is part of the wider Imagine Wirral initiative which brings
together the delivery of major events in Wirral with a focus on support
and facilitating smaller community events.  Further information is
available at [1]www.imaginewirral.com

We trust this information is of interest to you.

Yours sincerely

Lynette Paterson

Principal Information Management Officer

Business Management - Digital

Treasury Building

Argyle Street
Birkenhead
Wirral
CH41 1AH

[2]Tel: 0151 691 8201

[3][Wirral Borough Council request email]

[4]LGC Awards15_Winner_MIP

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