Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Venue & Events Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Venue & Events Officer.

The Committee was pleased to see the events being planned, including the direct management of the monthly comedy night at the Corn Exchange; the success of the event would be monitored in the coming months. Officers advised wedding packages would also be presented at the next Committee meeting.

Members were presented with a proposal from the promoter of the “Over the Hill” festival, which was being held on the August Bank Holiday, as noted in the report.

Members were happy to hear of alternative approaches which would potentially encourage acts and promoters to use the venue however, wanted clarification on the request of this particular ticket sales split.  Members asked that Officers review it with the promoter so that the agreement was clear and speak to a previous venue that hosted the event for feedback.

All Members, excluding Councillor Collins, agreed that the decision be delegated to the Head of Estates & Operations to agree the level of remuneration the Council would receive.

A Member expressed their pride with the presentation of the Corn Exchange for the recent Civic Reception; it was shown at its best and provided a great advertisement for its use as a versatile event venue.

The Deputy Town Clerk provided details of a request from Thames Valley Police for subsidised letting to hold the launch of a new initiative “Through Their Eyes” which would educate secondary school pupils on the effects of crime on the police and community, this would be held in the Corn Exchange on 26^th March 2024.

Resolved:

1.      That, the report be noted and,

2.      That, delegation be given to Officers to investigate the proposal for the “Over the Hill” event further and agree the level of remuneration and,

3.      That, the request from Thames Valley Police be approved for the subsidised let of the Corn Exchange Main Hall for the “through their eyes” event, at a cost of £175.