Threat to Bristol Harbour Festival as council cash cuts hit

By The Post | Saturday, August 06, 2011, 07:00

A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of one of Bristol's premier events because of council budget cuts.

Bristol Harbour Festival

The Bristol Harbour Festival, which last week celebrated its 40th birthday and attracted record crowds estimated at more 250,000, is in danger of being scrapped.

Half of the 20-strong team that organised the event are being made redundant as part of the council's cuts in its arts and culture department.

The loss of the ten staff will save the council about £320,000 a year.

Former Lord Mayor Colin Smith said he would be "extremely disappointed" if the event was lost because it brought so much prestige to the city and did so much to help the economy.

He said: "It's a jewel in the crown as far as major events in the city are concerned and it's gone from strength to strength each year.

"It's a chance for families and people of all ages to have a lot of fun in complete safety and it would be such a shame if the event was lost."

Mr Smith (Labour, Bedminster) paid tribute to the staff who had worked so hard to make the event such a success, year after year. He said: "They are a very professional team and have worked extremely hard and to a high standard and they have now found themselves victims of Government cuts. They will be sadly missed."

The event used to be sponsored by EDF Energy which gave £100,000 towards the costs but they pulled out three years ago.

Since then, the council has reduced the operating costs but still had to spend about £160,000 a year of council taxpayers' money to pay for the event.

In all, the total cost of the event is £400,000 but the income generated is about £240,000.

Smaller sponsors raise about £30,000 while a further £21,000 was saved by scrapping an annual fireworks display on the Downs.

It is estimated the festival brings in about £10 million to the local economy which helps local traders during these lean times of the recession.

In an online survey, the council is now asking how it can raise income from visitors and attract sponsors. Council spokesman Peter Holt said he was optimistic that sponsors could be found so that the event could go ahead next year. He said: "We are issuing what is really a rallying call because we regard the festival as a premier event for the city and one which we don't want to lose.

"We've got 11-and-a-half months until next year's Harbour Festival so we're very confident we'll be able to find a way through."

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Comments

I cant help but think that the council are using the cuts as a reason to warrant cuts. if the event generates that much money for the city then it has to be worth it.

By Trucks79 at 08:11 on 11/08/11
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This is just so typical of people just making cuts for the sake of it without doing the maths.

Surely, the 160k shortfall is justified if 10 million pounds is generated for the local economy? It should be part of the council remit to stimulate activity that will generate inward investment in Bristol?! Only an ineptily run council with no idea about economics would scrap an event that brings in thousands of visitors to the city?!

By JohnnoW at 22:56 on 08/08/11
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But Mr Smith are they victims of government cuts? Surely the council decides where it must make savings, not the government. And local councillors do like to make political points when it comes to cuts, whether they're making the cuts or just criticising them! And we poor taxpayers are the pawns.

By Gambit72 at 18:34 on 08/08/11
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Going to be even harder to run if Prince Street bridge is given over to bendy buses.

By Brizz_Tony at 14:36 on 08/08/11
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£10 million is unpaid every year in council tax and business rates to BCC.

Invest £400,000 in building a new division called the "don't mess with BCC because we will break into your house and take your belongings division". That's 1 manager on £50,000, 3 admin staff on £25,000, 6 heavies on £25,000 (including pension, benefits etc) and a new van for £40,000. Next, spend £20,000 on training and management consultancy to establish a procedure of how to deal with unpaid debts. This leaves just over £60,000 for equipment, further training, sundries etc. Contract an aggressive, private legal firm with a generous 25% commission agreement.

So the total budget could be £400,000 with the intention of raising £10 million and paying £2.5 million in commission.

Obviously this is an ideal scenario, so lets say they manage to recoup 40% of outstanding debts. That's £4 million, minus £1 million legal fees and £400,000 setup and ongoing costs. This leaves £2.6 million in additional income. That could finance this stupid, over-priced, waste of time and excuse to get drunk 'festival' 6 times over and employ 10 council staff as well as however many private sector staff via the legal firm.

The council of course would rather stay at home on their 35 days annual holiday and not bother. It's too much effort.

By Balcrog at 14:19 on 08/08/11
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