Agenda item

The Leader of the Council provided sight of the Grantham Town Centre Events report that had previously been presented to the Finance Economic Overview and Scrutiny Committee due to it being funded by the Future High Street Fund.

The report outlined different events scheduled for the Town throughout the year, up until November 2025.

The events programme was endorsed by the Finance Economic Overview and Scrutiny Committee and approved by Cabinet in January 2025.

Concern was raised over the Friday ‘Whale event’ where school visits would take place and it was noted that school children would not bring economy to the local businesses. It was suggested that the location of the Whale would have been preferred in a park for the Friday.

The Assistant Director of Culture, Leisure and Place clarified the Council were following the successful pattern at the Whale events in Bourne, Stamford and Deepings in having Friday for school visits. The Whale itself does attract visitors, and this was seen in the other three Towns.

The £10,500 of UKSPF money was originally for two events in Grantham and Deepings. However, following discussion at the UKSPF Board, they requested Officer’s explore delivery of the event in the other two Towns.

The Future High Street Board requested the event be held in Marketplace and therefore the event was removed from the UKSPF funding and was being funded by The Future High Street Fund instead.

The final cost for the Whale event was approximately £5,700 and the cost for the event in Grantham would be similar, however, the uplift would occur due to road closures, staff and security.

A query was raised on whether the £10,500 of UKSPF money was increased to ensure the Whale event could take place in Bourne, Deepings and Stamford.

It was confirmed the £10,500 of UKSPF money was increased in order for the third performance to take place and was captured in a further Officer Delegated Decision.

One Member provided feedback received from location businesses, they were pleased not all events were due to take place on a Saturday.

It was queried what the current plans for Lincolnshire Day celebrations were, as unfortunately, Lincolnshire Day celebrations in 2024 were impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The Lincolnshire Day celebration in 2025 would coincide with the Saturday market with food and drink available. It was hoped the celebrations would be more successful this year.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure shared that Lincolnshire Day events held in St Wulfram’s Church, Grantham last year had a higher uptake, due to adverse weather conditions.

It was questioned whether other Towns would be celebrating Lincolnshire Day.

The Assistant Director for Culture, Leisure and Place noted that these types of events should be organised at a Town or Parish Council level.

Concern was raised of the Council’s small budget for Lincolnshire Day celebrations and whether the farming community could become involved in the future.

One Member suggested an event be held in the marketplace for Diwali and requested whether a small event could be organised by the Council to celebrate the cultural side of Grantham.

The Leader of the Council had already offered a modest budget for an event for Diwali. However, if any further funding was required, the community would have to raise funds.

One Member noted that many other faiths, religions and communities resided in the District and the Council should be wary of holding events for one type of community.

It was noted that the Earlesfield Community Centre was previously offered to the Nepalese and Indian communities for celebrations, however, the two communities could not agree to work together.

Concern was raised that there were no events scheduled relating Isaac Newton and science.

The Assistant Director of Culture, Leisure and Place clarified that the programme of events in the marketplace was for events funded by the Future High Streets Fund and did not cover the wider events discussed e.g. Margaret Thatcher and Isaac Newton. A similar approach would be taken on the Newton anniversary, where stakeholders would be sought to form a joint approach to promoting events and celebrations in 2027 relating to Newton.

It was queried whether there was any scope to restore Grantham Carnival.

The Leader of the Council confirmed that events such as the Grantham Carnival were organised and ran by volunteers and community groups. It was suggested that the Town or Parish Council collate a cost proposal for a Carnival, the Council would see if they could assist with funding in any way.

One Member stated that Grantham Carnival abolished due to the cost of insurance which was around £7,500-£13,000.