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Executive (I)
Friday, 30th August, 2013

REPORT TO:10
DECISION NUMBER:PH/91/2013
EARLIEST DATE FOR DECISION:30th August 2013

SWITCH ON 2013
Matter for Consideration:
To consider making a payment to William Morris Entertainments Ltd on behalf of the Blackpool Marketing Company.
Information:
The Blackpool Marketing Company had secured the headline act of ‘The Script’ for the Illuminations Switch-On 2013 concert on the evening of Friday 30th August 2013. However, on the evening of Wednesday 28th August the band withdrew due to a serious family illness.

Take That's Gary Barlow offered via Twitter to step in if organisers made a donation to Children in Need and covered the band’s costs. One condition was that the payment was made to William Morris Entertainments Ltd by 12 noon on Friday 30th August. The prior payment to management of the cancelling act was in the process of being repaid and was a contractual obligation but this had not been cleared. The Council was asked to make the payment on behalf of its company and when the repayment transaction was complete then the Council would be repaid in full.

Does the information submitted include any exempt information?NO
Legal Considerations:
The payment is necessary to ensure the headline act (Gary Barlow) performed at the Switch On 2013. It was part of the contractual arrangement. It was also agreed that the figure remain exempt information.
Personnel Considerations:
Not applicable.
Financial Considerations:
This payment will be repaid in full by the Blackpool Marketing Company and is merely to assist in cash flow whilst the pre payment to the cancelled act is transacted.
Performance Management Considerations:
Not applicable.
Risk Management Considerations:
The risk to the Council is minimal as the repayment from the cancelled act is a contractual obligation and is purely to assist in cash flow and meet an agreed deadline.
Relevant Officer:
Alan Cavill, Assistant Chief Executive - Regeneration, Tourism and Culture.
Relevant Cabinet Member:
Councillor S. Blackburn
Consultation Undertaken:
Consultation has taken place with the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee as this was required as an urgent decision.
Background Papers:
None
Is this a key decision?YES
Forward Plan Ref. No:NOT INCLUDED ON THE FORWARD PLAN
Is the decision required in less than 5 days?YES
Reasons for urgency: To enable a payment to be made to William Morris Ents Ltd, on behalf of Blackpool Marketing Company, due to the company not yet having received its repayment from ‘The Script’. The decision is an exemption from Section 9 of Part 3 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) Regulations 2012 as the situation could not have been foreseen in advance and the payment was required immediately.
Recommendations:
To agree as an URGENT decision that a payment be made to William Morris Entertainments Ltd on behalf of Blackpool Marketing Company to enable the deadline to be met prior to the Switch On Ceremony. To note that this money will be repaid in full by the Blackpool Marketing Company when their contractual repayment from the cancelled act has been transacted.
Reasons for Recommendations:
To assist the Blackpool Marketing Company in securing a ‘headline’ act due to the withdrawal of ‘The Script’.
Is the recommendation contrary to a plan or strategy adopted or approved by the Council?NO
Is the recommendation in accordance with the Council’s approved Budget?YES
Other alternative options to be considered:
To transfer the money to the Blackpool Marketing Company, however it is envisaged that this would cause a delay which would mean the deadline is not met. To not make the payment by the deadline, however this would inevitably mean that the contract would be broken.
Policy, Overview, and Scrutiny Committee Chairman (where appropriate)
Date Informed: 30th August 2013
Date Approved: 30th August 2013
DECLARATION(S) OF INTEREST (if applicable)
None
Decision:
To agree as an URGENT decision that a payment be made to William Morris Ents Ltd on behalf of Blackpool Marketing Company to enable the deadline to be met prior to the Switch On Ceremony. To note that this money will be repaid in full by the Blackpool Marketing Company when their contractual repayment from the cancelled act has been transacted.
Date:30th August 2013
Reason for Decision:
To assist the Blackpool Marketing Company in securing a ‘headline’ act due to the withdrawal of ‘The Script’.

Date of Publication:		5th September 2013


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