Strategic Events and Festivals Fund - Round 7 2025-26
Argyll and Bute Council · 20 February 2025
Back to Policy and Resources Committee — 20 February 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 The purpose of this report is to update Members on Round 7 (2025/26) of the Council’s Strategic Events and Festivals Fund (SEF). The report provides details of the applications submitted and the applications recommended to receive funding. The report seeks Members’ agreement to allocate a minimum of £90,000 funding to allow for a SEF Round 8 in 2026/27. 1.2 At the 22nd February 2024 Council budget meeting, the Council agreed funding of £90,000 for SEF Round 7, to be augmented by any underspend in Round 5 (2023-2024). This has taken the total budget available for SEF Round 7 to £106,560. 1.3 SEF Round 7 opened on 7th October 2024 and closed on 18th November 2024. A total of 22 applications were received and amounted to a total eligible request of £162,736. Following assessment and scoring against agreed criteria, 12 applications are recommended for approval and are listed in Table 1 at Appendix 1. Two applicants withdrew their applications as they were ineligible, and eight applications are not being recommended to receive funding. 1.4 It is recognised that all events and festivals are important, however as the SEF fund is oversubscribed, only applicants that represent viable events, best meet all the criteria, and have a clear need for SEF funding have been recommended for an award. All events and festivals not in receipt of an award will be signposted to information and resources to help them to identify alternative funding. 1.5 The fund aims to support event organisers to enhance and grow their events with the result that more visitors are attracted to Argyll and Bute, providing substantial economic benefit. The economic impact of the applications received in SEF Round 7 is approximately £15 million. 1.6 RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that Members of the Policy and Resources Committee: ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 20 FEBRUARY 2025 STRATEGIC EVENTS AND FESTIVALS FUND – ROUND 7 2025/2026
Page 2
I. Agree to the award of eligible SEF Round 7 grants amounting to £106,036 as detailed in Table 1. II. Agree that any SEF Round 7 grant offer be formally issued upon confirmation from the event organisation that the event is confirmed as going ahead, match funding is in place and the event still meets the SEF Round 7 criteria. III. Agree to continue delegation of powers to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth to allow any subsequent amendment to existing grant requests due to changes to the event/event budget. Any amendment to a current grant request/offer would only be considered if the amendment related to either the same level or a reduction in the request and constitute up to 75% of legitimate and eligible expenditure. Similarly, if there was a reduction in the final event costs that would result in delivery of a profit more than £10,000 (all of which must be reinvested to future events) to the organisation and that this was sustained over a 3-year period, the final retention (10%) would not be paid out on the third year of the grant. IV. Agree to recommend to Council that as part of the budget in February 2025, that they agree a minimum of £90,000 base funding for Strategic Events and Festivals in order that the application process can commence for Round 8 (2026/27). V. Agree and recommend to Council that any underspend from SEF Round 6 (2024/25) is earmarked and used to augment a future SEF round.
Page 3
ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 20 FEBRUARY 2025 STRATEGIC EVENTS AND FESTIVALS FUND – ROUND 7 - 2025/26 FUND 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 The purpose of this report is to update Members on Round 7 of the Council’s Strategic Events and Festivals Fund (SEF). The report provides details of the applications submitted, and the applications recommended to receive grant funding. 2.2 In recognition of the importance of the events sector to the economy of Argyll and Bute, the SEF Fund was agreed by Council and first taken forward as a competitive fund in 2019/20. A critical element of the application requirement is that the event or festival be held in Argyll and Bute and be of a strategic nature, i.e. having the capacity to attract people from out with the area, with a focus on national and international visitors, and generate significant economic benefits for the local community. To illustrate this, the economic impact in the area from the funded events and festivals in SEF Rounds 5 and 5.2 (2023/24) was approximately £13 million. 2.3 The total value of grant funding requested from the applications received significantly exceeds the budget available. The budget available for SEF Round 7 (2025/26) is £106,560 and a total of 22 applications were received amounting to a total request of £162,736. Out of these 22 applications, two were withdrawn by the applicants as ineligible and 12 are recommended for funding and can be viewed in Table 1. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that Members of the Policy and Resources Committee: I. Agree to the award of eligible SEF Round 7 grants amounting to £106,036 as detailed in Table 1. II. Agree that any SEF Round 7 grant offer be formally issued upon confirmation from the event organisation that the event is confirmed as going ahead, match funding is in place and the event still meets the SEF Round 7 criteria. III. Agree to continue delegation of powers to the Executive Director with
Page 4
responsibility for Development and Economic Growth to allow any subsequent amendment to existing grant requests due to changes to the event/event budget. Any amendment to a current grant request/offer would only be considered if the amendment related to either the same level or a reduction in the request and constitute up to 75% of legitimate and eligible expenditure. Similarly, if there was a reduction in the final event costs that would result in delivery of a profit more than £10,000 (all of which must be reinvested to future events) to the organisation and that this was sustained over a 3-year period, the final retention (10%) would not be paid out on the third year of the grant. IV. Agree to recommend to Council that as part of the budget in February 2025, that they agree a minimum of £90,000 base funding for Strategic Events and Festivals in order that the application process can commence for Round 8 (2026/27). VI. Agree and recommend to Council that any underspend from SEF Round 6 (2024/25) is earmarked and used to augment a future SEF round. 4.0 DETAIL 4.1 The overarching aim of the Strategic Events and Festivals Fund is to support event organisers to enhance and grow their events with the result that more visitors are attracted to Argyll and Bute, providing substantial economic benefit. It is recognised that the strategic events and festivals sector is still facing challenging circumstances brought about as a result of changes in individuals’ habits and the cost-of-living crisis. This has put a strain on the financial stability of many of the organisations, however the outlook is improving, and the Council’s SEF fund continues to be of strategic importance to the events industry in Argyll and Bute. The fund provides critical support in the economic recovery of the area and will hopefully allow events to continue to grow and may prevent organisations and events from ceasing to operate. 4.2 SEF Round 7 opened on 7th October 2024 and closed on 18th November 2024. A total of 22 applications were received, however two withdrew as they did not meet the criteria of SEF, leaving a total eligible request of £162,736. The SEF budget available for Round 7 is £106,560 and therefore the fund is oversubscribed by £56,176. From the 20 eligible applications, 12 applications are recommended and can be viewed at Appendix 1. These demonstrate a variety of events and festivals from across the area that deliver a wide range of event types, from sport to music and dance which have a forecast economic impact of approximately £15 million. 4.3 The importance of all the events to the applicants and communities is recognised, however the fund has been oversubscribed and not all applications can be supported. Officers performed a detailed assessment based on the information submitted and assessed eligibility, the viability of the event, how well the events fit the SEF criteria and could demonstrate a clear need for SEF funding, as well as the necessary financial and due diligence
Page 5
checks. Given the number of applications and the pressure on the fund, a reduction in the funding requested has been applied to: I. Mull Rally of £7K, bringing their recommended award to £18K which is the same as their previous Round 6 award and II. Argyllshire Gathering of £7K, bringing their recommended award to £5K in line with their Round 4.2 grant request. 4.4 This has enabled an increased number of the highest scoring events and festivals to be awarded a grant. It should be noted that many of the applications are good quality, however several applications would benefit from more thought and time being taken to ensure that they are as robust as possible, especially given how competitive the fund now is. 4.5 The loss of any event to the area is likely to have a significant impact on the local economy, especially those events which are long standing. The impact of SEF Round 7 funding and future SEF round funding is recognised in assisting the sustainability of the events and the event organisations, many of whom are third sector organisations. The Council previously agreed to earmark underspend to augment future rounds up to Round 7 (2025/26) however the Council still requires to agree to allocate a baseline budget to allow a SEF Round 8 (2026/27). Members are therefore asked to consider and agree to a minimum of £90,000 for Round 8, allowing there to be certainty for the events industry that there will be future funding beyond 2025/2026. 4.7 Event Scotland continue to support events through industry support funds and fully recognises the fragility of the sector. Council officers are in regular discussion with Event Scotland to ensure that funding awarded is complimentary and does not duplicate Council funding. 4.8 In addition, officers continue to liaise with event organisers who have applied to previous rounds to provide information and support where appropriate. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 The Round 7 SEF application and assessment process has been completed as per the guidance. A budget of £106,560 is available under Round 7, and a total of 22 applications were received with a total request of £162,736. The Strategic Events and Festivals Fund aims to support events and festivals which are of strategic importance to Argyll and Bute, which will provide a meaningful economic impact of approximately £15 million and attract a wide range of visitors from outside the area. As such, there are 12 applications (see Table 1) recommended to receive funding. The total grant request in Table 1 is £106,036. 5.2 It is requested that the Policy and Resources Committee recommend to Council that as part of the February 2025 budget, a minimum baseline budget of £90,000 be allocated to allow a SEF Round 8 (2026/27) to be held.
Page 6
5.3 Whilst the events sector is fragile due to rising costs and challenges associated with the cost-of-living crisis, it is hoped that it will continue to build resilience and sustainability. There is no doubt that the continued support to the sector via future SEF funding will play a key part. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy - The Council’s Economic Strategy supports the value of events and festivals for their positive impact on the economy and supporting the hospitality and tourism sectors. 6.2 Financial - SEF Round 7 2025/26 budget is £106,036. Applications totaling £162,736 were received. 6.3 Legal - Award letters and grant contracts will be issued as and when a decision is made, and confirmation has been received that the event will go ahead. 6.4 HR - Resourced from existing staff. 6.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: 6.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – None. 6.5.2 Socio-economic Duty - The Fund seeks to support the economic growth of areas including a positive contribution to areas of disadvantage. 6.5.3 Islands - The Fund seeks to support island economies by supporting increased levels of visitors. 6.6 Climate Change - As part of the application process events must submit an Environmental Management Policy and this is part of the scoring process. 6.7 Risk – Events not supported may be at risk of not continuing. All events not recommended for funding will be signposted to information and resources to help identify other funding opportunities. 6.8 Customer Service – None. 6.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – None. Kirsty Flanagan, Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess, Policy Lead for Business Development
Page 7
6 December 2024 For further information contact: Fergus Murray, Head of Service for Development and Economic Growth Tel: 01546 604293 Kirsty Durrant, Economic Regeneration Officer, Transformational Projects and Regeneration, Tel: 01436 657635 APPENDICES Appendix 1 - SEF Round 7 Recommended Grant Applications
Page 8
APPENDIX 1 - SEF ROUND 7 RECOMMENDED GRANT APPLICATIONS Table 1 – SEF Round 7 Recommended Grant Applications Event Funding Request Recommended Funding Award £2,500 - £5,000 Fund Argyllshire Gathering 12,000 5,000 Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival 5,000 5,000 Helensburgh Christmas Lights Switch On and Festival of Light 5,000 5,000 Helensburgh Winter Festival 5,000 5,000 Islay Jazz Festival 4,536 4,536 Jura Music Festival 5,000 5,000 Oban Winter Festival 5,000 5,000 Tarbert Seafood Festival 2,500 2,500 Subtotal 44,036 37,036 £5,001 - £15,000 Fund Mull of Kintyre Music and Arts Festival 11,000 11,000 Tiree Wave Classic - 2025 - Year 41 10,000 10,000 Subtotal 21,000 21,000 £15,001 and Over Fund Cowal Highland Gathering 30,000 30,000 Mull Rally 2025 25,000 18,000 Subtotal 55,000 48,000 Total SEF Round 7 120,036 106,036