THIS REPORT RELATES COUNCIL TO ITEM 10 ON THE AGENDA

COMMUNITY PLANNING & ECONOMY, PLANNING & REGENERATION COMMITTEE REGULATION

25 SEPTEMBER 2014 NOT EXEMPT

STIRLING 2014 – PROGRESS REPORT

1 SUMMARY

1.1 This progress report provides an update on all aspects of the Stirling 2014 programme of events and associated activities.

2 OFFICER RECOMMENDATION(S)

2.1 The Community Planning & Regeneration Committee is asked to consider and note progress with the Stirling 2014 programme of events and associated activities.

3 CONSIDERATIONS

Stirling 2014 Programme of Key Events:

3.1 The Stirling 2014 programme of key events has been developed to provide a varied high-quality offering throughout the Second Year of Homecoming and provide economic benefits for the area.

3.2 Stirling 2014 events programme is split in three tiers:-

 Homecoming 2014 Signature Events;  Key Events; and  Community/Local Events.

3.3 The latest calendar of Stirling 2014 events is attached at Appendix 1.

3.4 The principal events are briefly updated as follows:

3.5 Events Held Since June 2014:

3.5.1 TOP Festival (14 June):

An arts and music festival was held across various venues around the Top of the Town for children and young people, which was well attended. The TOP Festival was organised by Stirling Council in partnership with a wide range of local organisations including Creative Stirling, ArtLink Central, Historic , The Smith Museum and Art Gallery and the macrobert.

3.5.2 The Longest Day (21 June):

A local community group organised a music, arts and cultural festival in Ladywell Park on the longest day. The event celebrated the modern and historical community of Bannockburn and was well- attended by local residents and visitors.

3.5.3 Bruce 700 (26 June):

Allan MacDonald, the internationally renowned composer and piper, worked with local school children and school pipe bands to produce a new piece of traditional music to commemorate the , called 'Bruce 700'. This commission culminated in a public performance at the Albert Halls.

3.5.4 Pipefest (27 June);

Over 1600 pipers, highland dancers and clan representatives from across the world, marched from Stirling Castle esplanade, through the City Centre to the King’s Knot. The event was well supported by spectators and provided an excellent start to the ‘Big Weekend’. The event was followed by a private, ticketed ceilidh at the Albert Halls attended by around 300 people.

3.5.5 Bannockburn Live (28 – 29 June):

Bannockburn Live was held over Saturday and Sunday (from 10.00am to 7.00pm). The event programme comprised a range of attractions including medieval encampments, clan village, food and drink village, ‘storyville’ stage, main stage with musical performances, and craft stalls and demonstrations. There were three battle re-enactment performances on each day. The event was a sell-out on both days, attracting an attendance of 20,000 over the weekend.

3.5.6 Armed Forces Day National Event 2014 (28 June):

The Armed Forces Day National Event commenced with a parade of 400 serving military personnel, 1200 veterans and 300 cadets, who marched from Stirling Castle esplanade, through the City Centre to the event field. The formal salute at the dais was taken by a number of dignitaries, including HRH the Princess Royal, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the First Minister, the Secretary of State for Scotland and senior military officers. Following the drumhead service, the event programme comprised of a range of military capability demonstrations, air displays, music from military bands and civilian acts, family entertainments and activities. The event was attended by around 35,000 spectators.

A full evaluation of the Armed Forces Day National Event is being prepared and will be reported to a future meeting of the Community Planning & Regeneration Committee.

3.5.7 Stirling’s Big Night Out – City Centre (28 June):

A full programme of indoor and outdoor entertainment was delivered within Stirling City Centre throughout the day and evening of 28 June, with a range of performance and activities to complement Armed Forces Day National Event 2014 and Bannockburn Live.

3.5.8 Queen’s Baton Relay (5 – 7 July):

The Queen’s Baton Relay visited the Stirling area across three days: - 5 July : and ; - 6 July : Stirling, , Thornhill, Aberfoyle, , , , , Blairdrummond, Bannockburn, Riverside and The Peak; and - 7 July : , , and .

Many of the rural communities organised local events at the scheduled community engagement stops. A well-attended event was held at The Peak on the afternoon and evening of Sunday 6 July. This family event was organised by Stirling Council and Active Stirling and offered a range of Commonwealth sports tasters as well as cultural entertainment and workshops. The finale of the event involved a performance by the Commonwealth Youth Circus and the official arrival of the baton.

3.5.9 Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games (23 July to 3 August):

Our second nations of Malta, Vanuatu and Zambia were officially welcomed at individual Village Welcome Ceremonies in the Athletes Village and presented with a Stirling plaque.

Three young people from Stirling schools were chosen to be part of the opening ceremony, watched by 8 million UK viewers.

3.5.10 Stirling International Angling Festival (9 – 10 August):

A cross-discipline, multi-venue angling event was successfully held in the Stirling area. The event, in its first year, attracted anglers from across the UK and beyond, and was delivered in partnership with a range of angling associations and neighbouring local authorities. The event ‘hub’ was held at the Stirling Agricultural Centre.

3.5.11 Crit Under the Castle Cycling Race (10 August):

A series of cycle races were held over the afternoon of Sunday 10 August in the City Centre. Races ranged from ‘Under 8’ categories up to top elite athletes. The closed road event used a City Centre route with the final elite race finishing at the Stirling Castle esplanade. The event was part of the National Criterium Cycling Championship.

3.5.12 Stirling Highland Games (16 August):

The new organisers of Stirling Highland Games held their first successful event at the Stirling Sports Village, attracting participants from across Scotland. The event was well attended by around 3000 visitors.

3.6 Forthcoming Events:

As Stirling is hosting a range of events during September, a communications campaign under the banner of ‘Super September in Stirling’ is being used to help promote the programme.

3.6.1 Doors Open Days (6 – 15 September and Archaeology Month):

Members of the public can explore many public buildings and archaeological sites and participate in a range of free events throughout the month. The theme for this year will be ‘Stirling anniversaries over the centuries’.

3.6.2 Off The Page (12 – 20 September):

The ninth year of this successful literary event organised by the Council’s Library Service. Highlights include talks from Sue Lawrence (Masterchef) and Stephen Jardine (broadcaster), and a full programme of activities in schools and libraries across the Stirling area.

3.6.3 Wha’s Like Us? (13 September):

A modern take on an ancestry event comprising a series of family history research workshops and guest speakers organised by the Council’s Archives, Libraries and Registrar’s Service and based at the Tolbooth. Close links to the Bloody Scotland crime-writing festival and the ‘Off the Page’ literary event, including a presentation on the secrets in the family tree of leading Scottish crime writer, Chris Brookmyre.

3.6.4 Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival (19 – 21 September):

Third year of this established crime-writing event, with Bloody Scotland 2014 with a prestigious line-up of international authors, including Kathy Reichs and Ian Rankin. The programme was launched in June and ticket sales have gone well. 3.6.5 Stirling Fringe Festival (19 – 28 September):

The organiser has extended this year’s Fringe Festival over more days, with an increased number of performances, and the event will run in parallel with Bloody Scotland and the Ryder Cup.

3.6.6 Race the Castles (12 October):

An urban orienteering event around Stirling City Centre and the Top of the Town. The races will start from the Castle Esplanade and involve around 500 athletes over a three-hour period. The races are staggered with no fixed route between checkpoints. The organisers plan to use various venues including the Old Town Jail, the Boys Club and Cowane’s Hospital. The Stirling event is part of a wider event involving Castle and Balmoral.

3.6.7 Takeover Youth Arts & Music Festival (24 – 25 October):

Stirling Council officers are working on plans for this youth music festival to be held at the Albert Halls.

3.6.8 The Scottish Paranormal Festival (31 October to 2 November):

A new, annual international festival of the paranormal, timed around Halloween is planned for various City Centre venues. Following the decision by the Community Planning & Regeneration Committee on 12 June 2014, officers are working with the event organiser and have provided appropriate financial and other support for the inaugural festival.

3.6.9 Christmas Light Switch On (16 November):

Plans are underway for this popular annual City Centre event to start the festive season in Stirling.

3.6.10 Stirling’s Hogmanay 2014 (31 December):

Planning is advanced to deliver the Hogmanay event at Stirling Castle Esplanade. Early bird tickets are expected to go on sale in late-September. Last year these tickets sold out in the first few hours.

3.7 Community and Local Events:

3.7.1 Communities:

Council officers continue to work with community councils and community trusts to support their engagement in 2014 activities and to develop a range of projects which both celebrate 2014 and leave a lasting legacy within communities.

Balfron community are delivering a programme of Balfron 2014 events, and received assistance from the Community Pride fund for their World War 1 commemoration event.

Callander community held a summer programme of events based around St. Kessog’s.

3.7.2 Young People - Education:

The project artist residences took place between April and June 2014 at Bannockburn High School (animation), Allan’s Primary School and Primary School (visual art and poetry), and Kippen Primary School (performance arts). Performance arts was also undertaken over the summer at Wallace High School. The residencies involved over 260 children and were fully funded by Creative Scotland. Stories towards the performance were submitted by nearly 300 children. This will lead to a performance in the Albert Halls on 22 October.

3.7.3 Physical Education, Sport and Physical Activity:

Services have progressed applications to the final round of Active Places Legacy 2014 funding, with grants of between £10,000 and £100,000 available for a wide range of community-led projects such as new bike or skate parks, outdoor adventure facilities, walking routes or new projects within school estates. Closing date for applications was 1 July 2014 and the outcome is awaited.

At the last round of applications, five physical activity projects in the Stirling area benefited from this funding, with a combined total of £124,301.

3.8 Other Events and Activities:

Ryder Cup 2014 (23 - 28 September):

Work on the extension to the Castleview Park & Ride for coach transfer to and from the Ryder Cup has been completed. A programme of community and business consultation regarding the Ryder Cup transport plan has been undertaken. Information on transport arrangements has been issued to occupants of the adjacent Castleview Business Park and to City Centre businesses.

Information about the economic opportunities of the Ryder Cup was also included in the business engagement briefings sessions, with restaurants, bars and other attractions making arrangements to welcome visitors who are staying in the Stirling area for the golf competition.

3.9 City Dressing:

The city dressing will continue to be monitored and maintained as appropriate through the Autumn months. Banners and vinyls will be removed as and when they are no longer appropriate or their condition deteriorates.

3.10 Business Engagement:

Business engagement on the Stirling 2014 programme of events and activities continues, to ensure the maximum local economic benefit is achieved.

3.11 Marketing & Communication:

3.11.1 A six-month rolling communications calendar for Stirling 2014 continues.

3.11.2 Destination Stirling, the local tourism marketing partnership, is promoting all aspects of Stirling 2014.

3.12 Monitoring and Evaluation:

A full assessment of the economic impact, promotional and associated longer- term benefits for the local area of the Stirling 2014 programme of key events will be undertaken and reported to the Community Planning & Regeneration Committee in early 2015.

4 POLICY/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS AND CONSULTATIONS

Policy Implications

Equality Impact Assessment No Strategic Environmental Assessment No Single Outcome Agreement Yes Diversity (age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation) No Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) Yes Effect on Council’s green house gas emissions No Effect Strategic/Service Plan Yes Existing Policy or Strategy Yes Risk Yes Resource Implications Financial Yes People Yes Land and Property or IT Systems Yes Consultations Internal or External Consultations Yes

Equality Impact Assessment

4.1 The matters presented in this report were considered under the Council’s Equalities Impact Assessment process and were assessed as not relevant for the purposes of Equality Impact Assessment.

Strategic Environmental Assessment

4.2 The matters presented in this report were considered under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 and a Strategic Environmental Assessment is not required.

Single Outcome Agreement

4.3 This report supports the outcomes of the Single Outcome Agreement. There is potential for Stirling’s economy to derive significant benefit from 2014, both in year and as a legacy in the longer term.

Other Policy Implications

4.4 This report accords with the key priorities of the Council’s Serving Stirling under Jobs & The Economy, through marketing and tourism; by marking the significance of 2014 in a way that leaves a lasting legacy, and provides local economic opportunities and benefits.

4.5 This report supports the principles of the Stirling’s Economic Strategy particularly in terms of business support and communicating confidence.

4.6 Opportunities for engagement and participation for individual residents, communities and local groups may offer mechanisms to deliver Council ambitions in relation to reinvigorated community engagement that is flexible and works for all of Stirling.

Resource Implications

4.7 Staff within Council Services have and continue to develop and support the delivery of the Stirling 2014 programme, including key events and other activities and projects, branding, marketing and communications.

4.8 The 2014/15 budget allocation for Stirling 2014, amounting to £175K, has been allocated to Services for delivery of events and associated activities. Further funding of £24K for community events and up to £75K for Stirling’s Hogmanay 2014 have also been allocated (as part of the Council’s 2014/15 revenue budget decision on 21 February 2014).

4.9 A breakdown of the current expenditure against the allocated Stirling 2014 budget is attached as Appendix 2.

Consultations

4.10 Elected members through the Stirling 2014 Short Life Working Group (and former Stirling 2014 Steering Group) have informed the development of all aspects of Stirling 2014 including the programme of events, community engagement, branding and marketing, city dressing, etc.

4.11 Officers from a range of Council Services have been involved in the planning, development and delivery of the Stirling 2014 programme and other activities and projects, and participated on the Stirling 2014 Co-ordination Group, and along with key partners on the Stirling 2014 Implementation Group.

4.12 External partners have been consulted on the Stirling 2014 programme through the Stirling 2014 External Partners Group, including the Scottish Government, EventScotland, VisitScotland, Destination Stirling, Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, National Trust for Scotland, Historic Scotland and the Ministry of Defence.

Tick ( ) to confirm

The appropriate Convener and Vice Convener have been CMcC consulted on this report ME MR The Chief Executive has been consulted on this report SC

5 BACKGROUND PAPERS

5.1 Report and decision notice – Community Planning & Regeneration Committee dated 12 June 2014 : Stirling 2014 – Progress Report.

5.2 Report and decision notice – Community Planning & Regeneration Committee dated 12 June 2014 : The Scottish Paranormal Festival.

5.3 Report and decision notice – Stirling Council dated 1 May 2014 : Stirling 2014 – Progress Report.

5.4 Report and decision notice – Stirling Council dated 1 May 2014 : Armed Forces Day National Event 2014 – Stirling.

5.5 Report and decision notice – Community Planning & Regeneration Committee dated 10 April 2014 : Stirling 2014 – Progress Report.

5.6 Report and decision notice – Stirling Council dated 27 February 2014 : Armed Forces Day National Event 2014 : Stirling.

5.7 Report and decision notice - Community Planning & Regeneration Committee dated 13 February 2013: Stirling 2014 – Progress Report.

5.8 Report and decision notice - Stirling Council dated 12 December 2013 : Stirling 2014 – Funding Requirements for 2014/15.

5.9 Report and decision notice – Community Planning & Regeneration Committee dated 28 November 2013 : Stirling 2014 – Progress Report.

5.10 Report and decision notice – Stirling Council dated 10 October 2013 : National Armed Forces Day 2014.

5.11 Report and decision notice – Community Planning & Regeneration Committee dated 26 September 2013 : Stirling 2014 – Progress Report.

5.12 Report and decision notice – Special Stirling Council dated 19 August 2014 : Stirling 2014 – Funding Requirements for 2013/2014.

5.13 Report and decision notice – Community Planning & Regeneration Committee dated 13 June 2013 : Stirling 2014 – Progress Report.

5.14 Report and decision notice – Community Planning & Regeneration Committee dated 2 May 2013 : Stirling 2014 – Progress Report. 5.15 Report and decision notice – Stirling Council dated 11 October 2012 : Stirling 2014 – Key Events.

5.16 Report and decision notice – Stirling Council dated 28 June 2012 : Stirling 2014 – Progress Report.

5.17 Report and decision notice – Stirling Council dated 1 March 2012 : Stirling 2014.

6 APPENDICES

6.1 Appendix 1: Stirling 2014 : Calendar of Events (as at 25 August 2014).

6.2 Appendix 2: Stirling 2014 : Allocated Budget and Expenditure by Service – 2014/15 (as at 25 August 2014).

Authors: Name Designation Telephone Number/E-mail

Tara Kildare Stirling 2014 Programme 01786-233161 Co-ordinator, [email protected] Economy Planning & Regulation

Deborah Murray Service Manager - Culture, Events and 01786–233158 Tourism, [email protected] Economy Planning & Regulation

Approved by: Name Designation Signature

Kevin Robertson Head of Economy, Planning & Regulation

Date: 8 September 2014 Service EPRREP0154CPRC(TK) Reference: