Decision details

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update in regard to Round 3 Strategic Events and Festivals Fund (SEF) for 2021/22 and which sought agreement to defer a decision in regard to any formal grant award for Strategic Events and Festivals (SEF) Round 3 to the May meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee in light of the current lockdown and difficult and challenging on going position that the events sector is still facing with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic.  The report also provided an update in regard to Strategic Events and Festivals (SEF) Round 2 events and associated grants.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee –

1.    Agreed that in light of the current National Lockdown and the significant uncertainty over if and when strategic events and festivals, classed as mass gatherings, will be able to take place in 2021, that the decision in regard to awarding of SEF Round 3 grants is deferred and the position reconsidered at the May Policy and Resources Committee when hopefully the situation regarding holding of mass gathering in 2021 will be clearer.

2.    Noted that none of the 9 SEF Round 2 grant supported events planned for 2020 have gone ahead in light of COVID-19 and the restriction preventing mass gathering being held.  8 have been formally cancelled and whilst Tiree Wave Classic have rescheduled their 2020 event to March 2021, it is now very unlikely this will go ahead.

3.    Noted that following agreement by members to the partial release of the SEF Round 2 grant (up to 75%of the SEF grant) to support the legitimate and eligible expenditure incurred in relation to cancelled events, only 3 of the event organisations have drawn down grant in regard to expenditure incurred in relation to 2020 cancelled events. Grant payments have been made to Mull of Kintyre Music Festival, Cowal Highland Gathering and Mull Rally.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 14 January 2021, submitted)