DATA LABEL: PUBLIC
COUNCIL EXECUTIVE
BRITISH PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013 to 2015
REPORT BY HEAD OF FINANCE AND ESTATES
A. PURPOSE OF REPORT
To advise the Council Executive of a request from West Lothian Highland Games Community Interest Company to call on the Council’s guarantee to financially underwrite a net loss of £24,273 arising from the staging of the event.
B. RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council Executive:
1. Notes the financial position of the organisation at 30 September 2015 following the staging of the British Pipe Band Championships 2013 to 2015, 2. Agrees to pay £24,273 to West Lothian Highland Games Community Interest Company to cover the net loss.
C. SUMMARY OF IMPLICATIONS
I Council Values Focusing on customers’ needs, being honest, open and accountable, making best use of resources, working in partnership.
II Policy and Legal (including The duty of Best Value is set out in the Local Strategic Environmental Government in Scotland Act 2003. Assessment, Equality Issues, Health or Risk Assessment)
III Implications for Scheme of None. Delegations to Officers
IV Impact on Performance Impact on tourism via indicators of increased visitor and Performance footfall and economic income. Indicators
V Relevance to Single Outcome 1 – we make West Lothian an attractive place Outcome Agreement to do business.
Outcome 2 – we realise our full economic potential with more and better employment opportunities for young people.
VI Resources – (Financial, A one-off cost of £24,273 to be met from the council’s Staffing and Property) insurance fund.
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VII Consideration at PDSP Previous consideration at Council Executive in December 2011, June 2011 and Culture and Leisure Policy, Development and Scrutiny Panel in June 2011.
VIII Details of Consultations Chief Executive’s Office, Area Services and Bathgate & West Lothian Highland Games Association.
D. TERMS OF REPORT
D.1 Background
On 13 December 2011 the Council Executive agreed the council would financially underwrite the British Pipe Band championships 2013 to 2015, capped at £30,000 per year for each of the three years 2013, 2014 and 2015 to cover any potential annual losses which directly resulted from staging the event and which could not be covered by the reserves of the Bathgate and West Lothian Highland Games Association.
D.2 Update
West Lothian Highland Games Community Interest Company has submitted a request to the council to consider the council’s guarantee to underwrite a net loss of £24,273 arising from the staging of the British Pipe Band Championships 2013 to 2015. Officers have scrutinised the audited accounts submitted to the period ending 30 September 2015 which substantiate the loss noted above which was after application of £36,854 funded from cash balances held by the company prior to the championships.
A financial loss had arisen due to the events attracting a lower paying public than had been anticipated in the original business case, despite active marketing and minimising expenditure.
E. CONCLUSION
Council Executive is asked to agree to make a payment to West Lothian Highland Games Community Interest Company for a sum of £24,273 from the council’s insurance fund to cover the loss directly resulting from the staging of the British Pipe Band championships 2013 to 2015, following the request by the Community Interest Company calling on the council to underwrite the net loss, as previously agreed by the Council Executive.
F. BACKGROUND REFERENCES
European Pipe Band Championship Report by Head of Area Services to Council Executive 13 December 2011 European Pipe Band Championship Report by Head of Area Services to Council Executive 14 June 2011 European Pipe Band Championship Report by Head of Area Services to Cultural & Leisure Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel 2 June 2011
Appendices/Attachments: None Contact Person: David Maule, Corporate Finance Manager [email protected] - Tel No. 01506 281320 Donald Forrest Head of Finance and Estates Date: 1 March 2016
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