Issue - items at meetings - Eco Technology Show 2013

Report of the Strategic Director, Place (copy attached).

1.        Agrees that the Council will provide up to £10,000 from the Place revenue budget for 2013-14 to enable the conference to be staged.

2.         Instructs the Strategic Director Place to negotiate with Partner organisations to see if further contributions can be identified to support a successful event.

23.1               The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place that requested support for the organisers of the Eco technology Show 2013. The report was supplemented with a presentation from a representative from South Downs Solar.

23.2               Councillor Janio stated his agreement in supporting the Show as represented a growing area of industry. He noted a discrepancy in the report regarding whether the authority would contribute up to £10,000 or a minimum of £10,000. He asked for clarification on this point.

23.3               Councillor West stated that the recommendation which stated that the contribution would up to £10,000 was the correct account.

23.4               Councillor Wakefield asked if more college and school children would be encouraged to attend the Show.

23.5               The representative from South Downs Solar clarified that engagement with youth organisations was a key part of the Show. Last year, the organisers had engaged with the 10:10 project and Albion in the Community. This year they would be extending that engagement to local primary and secondary schools.

23.6               Councillor Mitchell stated that she agreed with the aims and purpose of the Show but believed in the current financial circumstances, the Show should be self-financing. She therefore would not be supporting the provision of £10,000 from the authority.

23.7               Councillor West stated that he found Councillor Mitchell’s decision regrettable. The Eco Technology market was a fledging area with huge potential. Furthermore, it would be held in the Brighton Centre so local people could visit. Councillor West supplemented that he hoped the Show would become self-financing in future years.

23.8               Councillor Janio stated that he agreed with Councillor West. The Show would bring money in to the City and represented a booming industry.

23.9               Councillor Theobald stated that he was also in agreement as the Council had a responsibility to support local businesses.

23.10          RESOLVED- That the Committee:

1.        Agrees that the Council will provide up to £10,000 from the Place revenue budget for 2013-14 to enable the conference to be staged.

2.         Instructs the Strategic Director Place to negotiate with Partner organisations to see if further contributions can be identified to support a successful event.