FOI - New Year's Eve 2023-24 [Jan 2024]

Your request 

As part of the New Years Eve fireworks on 31 December 2023/1 January 2024 a set of lights appeared at the start of the display with the words ‘the mayor of London presents’ In respect of these particular lights please provide the following information:

1. the cost of these particular lights (the ones with ‘the mayor of London presents’ on it (an estimate will do))
2. copies of any internal documents e.g. meeting minutes showing the origin of this particular idea to have these words in lights
3. the purpose of having a set of lights spelling out ‘the mayor of London presents’
4. please provide information about whether the BBC or other networks were asked/told/suggested to zoom in on or provide specific coverage of the words ‘the mayor of London presents’
5. Big Ben bonged despite 2 seconds remaining on the lights counting down to midnight. What was the cause of the mistiming of these lights?

Our response

1. The impressive drone fleet was included within the creative elements for the overall show. The pre-show display referencing the office of the Mayor of London was delivered with no additional cost
2. We do not hold information relating to this request
3. We do not hold information relating to this request 
4. The BBC were not instructed to provide specific coverage of this element.
5. Detailed debriefing is underway following the show and no specific information relating to timing of show elements is held at this time