The Royal National Mòd
Perth and Kinross Council · 29 June 2022
Back to Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee — 29 June 2022 and its agenda
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee 29 June 2022 THE ROYAL NATIONAL MÒD 2022 Report by Head of Culture & Communities Service (Report No 22/150) . 1. PURPOSE 1.1 This report updates the Committee on the extensive planning underway for The Royal National Mòd 2022, anticipated outcomes of the event and the financial implications of hosting the event. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that Committee: • notes the resourcing and delivery arrangements for Mòd Pheairt 2022 • requests a further report is brought back to Committee on the impact on Mòd Pheairt in due course. 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: • Section 4: Background • Section 5: Proposals • Appendix 4. BACKGROUND / MAIN ISSUES 4.1 The Royal National Mòd is taking place in Perth from the 14-22October 2022. This will be the first time the event has taken place in the area since 2004 and the 11th time the event has taken place in Perth and Kinross. 4.2 The Royal National Mòd, known as The Mòd is an eight-day festival celebrating Gaelic language and culture organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach. It is held annually in a different Scottish town/city and celebrates Gaelic language and culture. There are over 200 competitions throughout the event ranging from traditional instruments like accordion, fiddle, piping, to solo Gaelic singing, storytelling, poetry, sport and choir competitions. The first half of the week is dedicated to children’s competitions, while the second half is for adults. It draws in fluent and learner Gaelic speakers alike, with a host of other interested attendees. Page 1 of 6
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4.3 It is estimated that the Mòd could attract more than 7,500 visitors to Perth generating direct and indirect expenditure in the city of around £1M. Assuming total previously approved investment by Perth and Kinross Council of £216,000, every £1 invested by the Council should generate a further £5. 4.4 In addition to the direct economic impacts, the event enhances the profile and reputation of the area through substantial press and media coverage reaching around 9M viewers in the past. The BBC will host a number of programmes from Perth during the Mod and will use the lecture theatre at Perth Museum and Art Gallery as their studio. We are aiming to develop a media partnership with a local newspaper to host information about the Mòd. 5. PROPOSALS 5.1 An Event Planning Group led by Perth & Kinross Council and An Comunn Gàidhealach is engaging with key partners including The Gaelic Society of Perth, Horsecross Arts, Culture Perth & Kinross and Live Active Leisure to deliver the Mòd. 5.2 A local voluntary support committee was established in March 2022 to support the delivery of the Mòd. This group is responsible for finding local volunteers, programming a series of local events and relaying information to the Gaelic community in Perth and Kinross. 5.3 An Comunn Gàidhealach, who organise the Mòd will be funded by the Council to cover venue hire, accommodation, live streaming, production team, event equipment, chairperson fees, an evaluation report and media support. 5.4 The Mòd will be taking place in the following venues across Perth; Perth Concert Hall, Perth Theatre, St John’s Kirk, St Matthew’s Church, North Inch Community Campus, Bells Sport Centre, Perth Museum & Art Gallery. 5.5 A school engagement programme began in April 2022 which will include 10 primary schools and will be managed by Education and Children’s Services officers. There will be Gaelic language sheets and awareness raising of the Mòd within schools. 5.6 The Mòd Fringe is under development with involvement from many of our cultural partners. We will launch an Open Call in June 2022 to anyone who wants to be part of the Mod Fringe programme with a funding pot of £5000 which local businesses can apply to (to a max of £500) to help them put on Mòd related activity during the Mòd. Several businesses have already planned activity including music, exhibitions and whisky tasting. Page 2 of 6
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5.7 Engagement with the local business sector has included the delivery of a Business Engagement Webinar on 23 March with case studies of business success from the most recent Mod in Inverness. We provided attendees with information on how they could get involved in the Mòd and the economic benefits the Mòd will bring to the area. We are developing a Gaelic Language Tourism Toolkit which will give businesses the knowledge to meet and greet visitors in Gaelic. 5.8 There will continue to be engagement both with the Gaelic community and non-gaelic speaking community through a series of public events, press and social media. 5.9 Shinty will be played in Perth for the first time in 11 years. The Mòd Shinty Cup featuring Tayforth Camanachd and Aberdour Shinty Club will take place on Pitch Number 5 of the North Inch on Saturday 15 October, ensuring there is a mix of events for people to get involved in. 5.10 There will be a wider programme of events across the whole of Perth and Kinross including Pitlochry, Aberfeldy and Birnam and will be marketed as part of our destination promotion of the area to key visitor markets. Authors Name Designation Contact Details Anna Day Fiona Robertson Service Manager – Public Programming Head of Culture & Communities Service 01738 475000 ComCommitteeReports@pkc.gov.uk Approved Name Designation Date Barbara Renton Executive Director (Communities) 15 June 2022 • Appendix - None Page 3 of 6
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ANNEX 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes / None Community Plan Yes Corporate Plan Yes Resource Implications Financial Yes Workforce No Asset Management (land, property, IST) None Assessments Equality Impact Assessment None Strategic Environmental Assessment None Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) Yes Legal and Governance None Risk None Consultation Internal Yes External None Communication Communications Plan None 1. Strategic Implications Community Plan 1.1 This section should set out how the proposals relate to the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Community Plan in terms of the following priorities: (i) Giving every child the best start in life (ii) Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens (iii) Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy (iv) Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives (v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations 1.2 This report relates to Objective No (ii) and (iii). Page 4 of 6
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Corporate Plan 1.3 This section should set out how the proposals relate to the achievement of the Council’s Corporate Plan Priorities: (i) Giving every child the best start in life; (ii) Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens; (iii) Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy; (iv) Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives; and (v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations. 1.4 This report relates to Objective No (ii) and (iii). 1.5 This report also links to the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan 2018-2023. 2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 We have £216k earmarked in our accounts and available to support the MOD from 2022/23. This will be the Council’s direct contribution and will include a payment to An Comunn Gàidhealach of £190,000 to support the core activity of the Mód including venue hire, tech hire, infrastructure and staffing. A full breakdown of expenditure by An Comunn Gàidhealach is being prepared – the majority of the cost will be spent on venue hire. The remaining £20,000 will be spent on the fund for fringe activity, infrastructure costs (such as road closures), marketing and street dressing. 3. Assessments Equality Impact Assessment 3.1 Under the Equality Act 2010, the Council is required to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between equality groups. An equality impact assessment needs to be carried out for functions, policies, procedures or strategies in relation to race, gender and disability and other relevant protected characteristics. This supports the Council’s legal requirement to comply with the duty to assess and consult on relevant new and existing policies. Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.2 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to identify and assess the environmental consequences of its proposals. No further action is required as it does not qualify as a PPS as defined by the Act and is therefore exempt. Page 5 of 6
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Sustainability 3.3 Under the provisions of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 the Council has to discharge its duties in a way which contributes to the achievement of sustainable development. Under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 the Council also has a duty relating to climate change and, in exercising its functions must act: • in the way best calculated to delivery of the Act’s emissions reduction targets; • in the way best calculated to deliver any statutory adaptation programmes; and • in a way that it considers most sustainable. 3.4 The activities in this report will contribute towards sustainable economic development in Perth and Kinross. Legal and Governance 3.5 The consideration of the report is in line with the Council’s Scheme of Administration and specifically the role of the Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee in developing measures to support and promote economic activity and to plan key infrastructure. Risk 3.6 Risks and the controls required to mitigate any risks will be reported through the Council’s risk management process where the Council is the lead on individual projects. 4. Consultation Internal 4.1 The Head of Finance has been consulted. External 4.2 An Comunn Gàidhealach. 5. Communication 5.1 The Council Communication’s team have developed a logo for Mòd Pheairt 2022 and will provide an email signature. A press plan is being developed. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS Mod 2022 (October 2021). Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail 2021 – The Bid for Perth (June 2017). Perthshire Mòd Feasibilty Assessment- Final Report (January 2014). Page 6 of 6