Decision details

As part of the Council’s Back to Business agenda, a District wide ‘Octopus Ahoy sculpture trail took place between 25 June and 5 September 2021. Around 100 Octopus sculptures were placed around the District and residents and visitors were able to scan the codes on the sculptures, where they accumulated points, which were redeemed against products and prizes provided by local businesses.

As the trail is now complete, many of the sculptures are now to be auctioned off to private buyers and as the key sponsor and underwriters of the trail, the Council are able to determine where 50% of the profits will be invested. The professionally managed auction will take place on 23rd September and will also feature online for inclusive bids and reach.

In the Back to Business update report dated 30 April 2021, the decision for where the fund should be distributed was to be agreed by the Deputy Leader, Portfolio Holder for Corp. Finance and Governance and Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Tourism at ‘a later date’. This decision is to agree where the funds should be allocated.

That proceeds from the 50% of profits raised by the auction will be apportioned as follows:

Essex Community Foundation fund for young people in Tendring - 50%
Tendring Community Fund - 50%

Although the exact criteria for the Essex Community Foundation fund can be determined at a later date, this will be exclusively set aside for Tendring residents. As set out in the report at the time, being clear where the funding will go now is likely to increase the amount of funding received for the sculptures at the auction.

Option 1 -
Option 2 -
Option 3 -