Report for: CONSULTATIONFO RMAT

Item Number: 11

Contains Private and YES/ Confidential Information NO

The London Mela and Title Ealing Summer Classical Concert Julian Rudd, Events Manager Responsible Officer(s) Praveen Bahl, Head of Halls, Sports, Events and Registrars. Julian Rudd, Events Manager 0208 825 8827 Author(s) 07973 551148 [email protected] Community Safety, Leisure and Learning, Portfolio(s) Environmental Management. For Consideration By Ealing Area Committee, Acton Area Committee Date to be Considered 3rd June 2003 and 2nd June 2003 Ealing Common, Heathfield, Northfield and wards within Affected Wards Hounslow Area Committees Acton, Ealing

Keywords/Index Mela, Events, Gunnersbury

Abstract: The Events Team have developed two new events to be staged at Gunnersbury Park, as part of this year’s summer programme. The London Mela, to be produced in partnership with the Greater London Authority and CiP/Hounslow, and the Ealing Summer Classical concert, featuring the English Chamber Orchestra. This report seeks the views of the Ealing and Acton Area Committees on these new events.

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1. Recommended Actions

It is recommended that the Area Committee

 notes the introduction of the two new events and offers its views on these.

2. Key-points

2.1 Financial

2.1.1 The Mayor’s London Mela

The project will benefit from a minimum of £120,000 funding from the Greater London Authority. In addition sponsorship and trading income will be substantial, and has been budgeted at £73,000. Active Ealing and the Arts and Cultural Service are using the project as an opportunity to engage with the Asian communities in Ealing, and their contribution is valued at £20,000. It is anticipated that the project will break even.

2.1.2 Ealing Summer Classical Concert

This project will be funded solely from ticket sales, sponsorship and trading income. There is a risk of a shortfall, particularly in its first year.

2.1.3 Risk Analysis

With robust budget control the Councils exposure to risk can be minimised. There is a high likelihood that both projects will break even, however, there is still a possible loss scenario.

The classical show would sell less well in the event of sustained bad weather immediately prior to the event, whilst the Mela may incur increased costs due to unforeseen infrastructure expenditure.

In this eventuality it has been agreed that the Environment Group would guarantee the risk, as a group, through efficiency savings from existing budgets of up to £20,000 across both shows.

2.2 Legal

A contract will be negotiated between the GLA and Ealing Council for the Mela. Agreements will be made with CiP regarding the use of Gunnersbury Park for both events.

2.3 Staffing

The events will be organised by the Events Team.

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2.4 Corporate Priorities

 Customer Engagement – The start of a new, positive and creative engagement with the Asian communities in Ealing.  Work in partnership with community and business organisations to promote safe, sustainable and culturally relevant events with scope for partnering with neighboring boroughs and the GLA.

2.5 Environmental Impact

Possible damage to the site. Restitution has been budgeted in the event of inclement weather.

2.6 Consultation & Community Involvement

Local organisations likely to be affected by these events will and are being consulted.

A public consultation meeting was held at Gunnersbury Park on April 30th 2003. All parties found the meeting constructive and useful. A further public meeting is planned for Monday 23rd June.

In addition residents will be informed of plans by letter, with the opportunity to comment by post. A second letter, close to the time of the events, will confirm the final traffic plan and remind residents of the date and times of the event. Residents in “residents only” roads will be issued with a letter which will allow them access.

The Cabinet decision to go ahead with the events was called into Scrutiny Committee by the Shadow Cabinet on 7th May. Following a comprehensive and wide ranging discussion, it was agreed that the event should go ahead on condition that consultation continued with Members and residents groups in the run up to the events.

3. Detailed Section

3.1 The London Mela

The intention is to use the London Mela to kick start an annual or bi- annual Mela event that actively engages Asian arts, cultural, social and sports groups from within Ealing and West London as a whole, the aim being to make the event self financing.

The event will celebrate the rich cultural heritage and influence of London’s Asian communities. The program includes a Main Stage with popular artists, including an appearance from performers from the hit Lloyd Webber musical Bollywood Dreams. A Heritage Pavilion with involvement from the V & A, Gunnersbury Museum and other leading

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institutions, a classical stage featuring leading Asian players, a community stage, kids area, funfair and markets. It is anticipated that people from all backgrounds will attend the event.

The event will be free to attend.

3.2 The Ealing Summer Classical Concert

Previous classical concerts staged as part of the Summer Festival were popular elements of the programme - they were discontinued because the event infrastructure and environs at Walpole Park did not allow the concerts to develop in the same way as comparable concerts at Kenwood or Hampton Court. Gunnersbury Park has the potential to be a sustainable venue for this type of event.

We have now confirmed the Ealing Chamber Orchestra will be appearing. The programme will include Bach, Mozart and culminate to Handel’s Fireworks Music accompanied by spectacular fireworks.

Waitrose and GSK have confirmed sponsorship support for the event. Entrance will be by ticket only.

3.3 Managing the Events

3.3.1 The London Mela event itself will be a large-scale production attracting a large audience. Logistically there will be substantial issues around car parking, traffic management, litter, noise and security, which will need to be well managed so that any disturbance to the community is minimised.

3.3.2 The Events Team has considerable experience of managing large scale events, such as the Ealing Summer Festival and the Queens visit. The Events Manager had responsibility for organising the multi stage Croydon Mela for three years before taking up the post in Ealing in 2002. The Events Team has employed freelance experts in the field, Ajay Chhabra and Nick Green, Mela Director and Production Manager respectively, who organised the successful East London Mela in 2000.

3.3.3 Given the long term strategic importance of these events the Events Team is committed to managing the process robustly so that both events are sustainable. We hope to stage both events in 2004.

3.4 Dates and times

The confirmed date for the Classical Concert is 9th August, doors will open at 6.30pm. The English Chamber Orchestra will perform from 8.30pm until 10.30pm with a single half-hour interval.

The London Mela is to be staged on the 17th August 2003, the event will start at 12 noon and finish at 8pm. 4

3.5 Public Transport

One of the advantages of the site is its proximity to good transport links at Acton Town. There are additionally a number of national rail and tube connections available a short walk from the site.

3.6 Security and Policing

The Events Team is liasing closely with the local Police and Scotland Yard, to ensure they have a presence on site for the events. Discussions have already reached an advanced stage, with both Scotland Yard and Hounslow Police attending upcoming scheduled meetings in June, July and early August. In addition the Events Team have appointed a firm of professional security consultants, Show and Event Security, to secure the event sites.

3.7 Car Parking

Gunnersbury Park has ample space to park cars on site.

3.8 Traffic Management

The Events Team has regular scheduled operational meetings with Ealing Council’s and Hounslow Council’s Traffic and Parking Managers, Police Services, CO11 (Scotland Yard) and Show and Event Security Consultants. Resident’s views have been incorporated into the traffic plan when deemed appropriate.

4 Background information

Environment Group Files.

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