Agenda item - Pride 2022-2026 inclusive

Report of the Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture (Copy attached)

RESOLVED – that Committee:

1.    Gave consent to the Brighton Pride Community Interest Company to stage the Pride Parade through the City and a fenced and ticketed Pride Festival in Preston Park and Pride Village Party in the St James’ Street area for the years 2021 – 2026 and granted delegated authority to the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture to agree the terms of the annual licences save that if it is proposed that there is a material change to the terms (other than those relating to cost sharing which were dealt with at 2.2) compared to previous years, the lead members of the committee shall be consulted.

2.    Recognised that given that Pride 2020 has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, that current projection models for Pride at the time of writing may well be unreliable. Therefore the Committee agreed:

-       To delay the decision to reach an agreement for cost sharing until after Pride 2021 has taken place, when both Pride CIC and the council will have a clearer and more realistic financial position, from which to review and decide on the matter going forward.

-       That the matter also be brought back to TECC in September 2021, for Councillors to review.

8.1       The Committee considered a report of the Interim Executive Director Housing, Neighbourhood which sought to provide an update on the status of Pride 2022-2026. The report was provided by the Head of Safer Communities.

8.2       The Assistant Director Culture Tourism & Sport stated that Pride was the city’s largest annual outdoor festival and pride had 3 financially successful years, it was noted that a cost sharing agreement would be entered in to with Pride CIC.

8.3       Councillor Powell presented an amendment on behalf of the Green Party as shown below in bold italics and strokethrough:

2.1       That the Committee gives consent to the Brighton Pride Community Interest Company to stage the Pride Parade through the city and a fenced and ticketed Pride Festival in Preston Park and Pride Village Party in the St James’ Street area for the years 2021 – 2026 and grants delegated authority to the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture to agree the terms of the annual licences save that if it is proposed that there is a material change to the terms (other than those relating to cost sharing which are dealt with at 2.2) compared to previous years, the lead members of this committee shall be consulted.

2.2       That the Committee grants delegated authority to the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture to reach agreement with BPCIC regarding cost sharing over a four year period 2021-2024 with the aim that full cost sharing, as set out in the report, is reached by 2024.

2.2       That the Committee recognises that given that Pride 2020 has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, that current projection models for Pride at the time of writing may well be unreliable. Therefore the Committee agrees: - to delay the decision to reach an agreement for cost sharing until after Pride 2021 has taken place, when both Pride CIC and the council will have a clearer and more realistic financial position, from which to review and decide on the matter going forward. - that this matter is also brought back to TECC in September 2021, for councillors to review.

8.4       Councillor MacCafferty formally seconded the amendment.

8.5       Councillor Simson noted the Pride should only pay some of the cost as it benefitted the city largely. Further clarification was sought regarding 3.10 as to whether if this was in reference to other funding raised or commercial. Further request was sought for the costings at the Old Steine. Finally a further enquiry was made as to the figure of recovery and whether this was broken down annually.

8.6       The Assistant Director Culture Tourism & Sport stated that all current events paid for parking bay suspensions and if any event used parking bays in the city, generally BHCC covered the cost.

8.7       The Head of Safer Communities stated that with regard to Licensing, this was in relation to the number of people in Preston Park for Pride. It was further stated that charities rates were for national charities, further information in writing was offered to Councillor Simson.

8.8       Councillor Simson enquired if Pride was classed as a community or charity.

8.9       The Assistant Director Culture Tourism & Sport confirmed that pride was classed as a community.

8.10    A vote was taken on the Amendment which passed.

8.11    RESOLVED – that Committee:

1.    Gave consent to the Brighton Pride Community Interest Company to stage the Pride Parade through the City and a fenced and ticketed Pride Festival in Preston Park and Pride Village Party in the St James’ Street area for the years 2021 – 2026 and granted delegated authority to the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture to agree the terms of the annual licences save that if it is proposed that there is a material change to the terms (other than those relating to cost sharing which were dealt with at 2.2) compared to previous years, the lead members of the committee shall be consulted.

2.    Recognised that given that Pride 2020 has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, that current projection models for Pride at the time of writing may well be unreliable. Therefore the Committee agreed:

-       To delay the decision to reach an agreement for cost sharing until after Pride 2021 has taken place, when both Pride CIC and the council will have a clearer and more realistic financial position, from which to review and decide on the matter going forward.

-       That the matter also be brought back to TECC in September 2021, for Councillors to review.