Key information
Decision type: Director
Reference code: DD2090
Date signed:
Decision by: Martin Clarke, Executive Director of Resources
Executive summary
This request for a Director’s decision seeks approval of the funding of a free cultural event on Trafalgar Square, which includes a screening of The Salesman, an Iranian-French drama film. The event will be part of the “#LondonIsOpen” campaign. This event aligns with the Mayor’s manifesto commitments to continue to back major cultural festivals to celebrate London’s religious and racial diversity and support access to the arts for all.
Decision
That the Executive Director of Resources approves the allocation and expenditure of up to £75,000 as a contribution to the costs of the delivery and production of a free cultural event on Trafalgar Square including the screening of the film “The Salesman”.
Part 1: Non-confidential facts and advice
1.1 It is proposed that a cultural event on Trafalgar Square will take place on Sunday 26 February inviting Londoners to a free screening of the Oscar nominated film ‘The Salesman’.
1.2 The GLA’s principle purposes include the promotion of economic and social development in Greater London. Events have a profound potential to bring economic and social benefits to London, in particular raise the city’s profile, presenting a positive image to the world’s media, encouraging travel to and through and both economic and cultural investment in London.
1.3 Free events in particular, celebrate the city’s diversity as its core asset, bringing a variety of people together in shared experiences and providing opportunities for great social integration, ultimately bringing positive economic and social benefits to London. Culture also enriches people’s lives, improving their quality of life and general well-being. Free events also provide Londoners access to arts and entertainment which they may otherwise not be able to experience.
1.4 The organiser of this event is Face Events Limited.
1.5 The total cost of the event is £115,000 and it is proposed that the GLA make a contribution of up to £75,000 of Face Events Limited’s costs. This GLA contribution is comparable to our other cultural events held on Trafalgar Square. Face Events Limited will be responsible for the remaining event costs.
1.6 It is also proposed that free access to and use of Trafalgar Square is provided.
2.1 To support an event on Trafalgar Square where the content and activity aligns with the Mayor’s #LondonIsOpen campaign.
2.2 To provide Londoners free engagement with high quality cultural activity which supports the Mayor’s manifesto commitment to provide access to the arts for all and to continue to back major cultural festivals to celebrate London’s religious and racial diversity.
Additional benefits
2.3 Whilst difficult to measure, there are a number of additional benefits that we are actively trying to foster through staging the event, including:
• Increased positive global reputation of London.
• Positive profile for London, encouraging economic investment.
• Education and increased awareness of other communities in London encouraging social integration and cohesion.
• Encouraging a sense of pride in Londoners for the city they live.
• Enjoyment and satisfaction to support the well-being of Londoners and improving their health and wellbeing and quality of life (particularly where Londoners disposable income is limited and free events offer access to arts and entertainment which they may otherwise not be able to experience.
3.1 The event is planned to be inclusive and aimed at all Londoners, culturally and socially, achieved through the programme content, the broad and targeted approach of marketing channels, and access facilities at the event. This event is about bringing different communities together, sharing cultures and supporting social integration.
4.1 Key risks and issues
4.2 Links to Mayoral strategies and priorities
4.2.1 In approving this event, this directly links to:
• Manifesto Commitment – Access to the Arts: Continue to back major cultural festivals to celebrate London’s religious and racial diversity.
• City for all Londoners: Making London a fairer and more tolerant city open and accessible to all, and one in which we can all live and prosper free from prejudice. Enabling all Londoners to benefit from the city’s fantastic arts and culture.
4.3 Impact assessments and consultation
4.3.1 The impact assessment of the event will be carried out through the multi-agency planning process (Licensing Operational Safety Planning Groups), including Westminster City Council, MPS, TfL, LAS, LFB and other key stakeholders to the specific event. This is an essential part of the Premise Licence process.
4.3.2 Neighbours on Trafalgar Square will also be consulted.
5.1 The gross cost of this event is up to £115,000 and the net cost to the GLA will be up to £75,000. The event organiser, Face Events Limited, would be responsible for covering the remaining event costs of £40,000.
5.2 The GLA contribution of up to £75,000 will be governed via a funding agreement with Face Events Limited and will be funded from the Events for London Programme budget for 2016-17. In addition to the GLA’s cash contribution to the event, the GLA will also support the event via officer time and waiving the fee for the use of Trafalgar Square. It should be noted that waiving the fee for the use of Trafalgar Square will not have a detrimental effect on the Authority’s Squares income target as this income budget is forecast to overachieve by the end of March 2017.
6.1 The foregoing sections of this report indicate that:
6.1.1 the decisions requested of the director concern the exercise of the GLA’s general powers, falling within the GLA’s statutory powers to do such things considered to further or which are facilitative of, conducive or incidental to the promotion of economic and social development in Greater London: and
6.1.2 in formulating the proposals in respect of which a decision is ought officers have complied with the GLA’s related statutory duties to:
(a) pay due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people;
(b) consider how the proposals will promote the improvement of health of persons, health inequalities between persons and to contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom; and
(c) consult with appropriate bodies.
6.2 In taking the decisions requested, the director must have due regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty; namely the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010, and to advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic (race, disability, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity and gender reassignment) and persons who do not share it and foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it (section 149 of the Equality Act 2010). To this end, the director should have particular regard to section 3 (above) of this report.
6.3 Officers have indicated in section 1 (above) of this report that that the proposed contribution of up to £75,000 amounts to the provision of grant funding and not payment for services. Officers must ensure that:
6.3.1 the funding is distributed fairly, transparently, in accordance with the GLA’s equalities and in manner which affords value for money in accordance with the Contracts and Funding Code; and
6.3.2 appropriate funding documentation is put in place between and executed by the GLA and recipients of such funding before any commitment to fund is made.
6.4 Officers must liaise with the GLA’s facilities management team and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that:
6.4.1 all necessary consents and permissions are obtained for the lawful and efficient management of the use of Trafalgar Square;
6.4.2 all arrangements are put in place necessary to ensure the protection of the fabric of the square, the upkeep and maintenance of which is the GLA’s statutory responsibility and compliance with applicable byelaws any licensing or conditions of use in accordance with the GLA’s facilities management team’s protocols in this regard.
Signed decision document
DD2090 Cultural Event - The Salesman Screening (signed)