Agenda item

Following a request made as part of the Council’s Budget Setting Process for 2023/24 to undertake a review of the Clacton Airshow this report will enable Cabinet to consider options for future event delivery.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)    formally agrees, subject to funding being allocated, to support the continuation of delivering the Clacton Air Show for the years 2024-2027, with annual reviews to be undertaken; and

(b)    requests Officers to explore sponsorship opportunities including engaging specialist resource support.

Cabinet considered a report of the Economic Growth, Regeneration & Tourism Portfolio Holder (A.3), which set out options for the future of the Clacton Air Show based on a review requested as part of the Council’s Budget Setting Process for 2023/24. As such, this Clacton Air Show Review set out the key purpose, impact and benefits to running the Air Show in future years based on the outcomes experienced during the 2023 event.

Members were aware that the Clacton Air Show had national recognition and was one of the largest events in Essex; it was well supported by local and national media and all of the emergency services. Attracting thousands of visitors to the District, the Clacton Air Show was a local event that residents felt proud of; with the recent Corporate Plan Consultation (2023) highlighting that the: ‘air show is greatly loved by residents in the area’ and that a further 15.9% of people responding positively had stated that they would consider volunteering at the Clacton Air Show. In addition, feedback from visitors on social media and throughout the event, highlighted the positive excitement and energy that the event brought to the District.

The Clacton Air Show generated a significant amount of income to businesses within the local area. The Economic Impact report contained within Appendix B to the Portfolio Holder’s report highlighted that an estimated 250,000 attendees came to the event over the two-day period and contributed a net value of approximately £12,155,000 to the area with 166 jobs sustained for the duration of the show.

Cabinet was informed that the Clacton Air Show Review outlined why Tendring District Council hosted the Air Show and evidenced its impact on local tourism and to the wider economy. It aimed to enable a balanced decision to be taken on the future of the event in respect of the significant financial challenges faced by the Council. The review also included a comprehensive strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis and provided an opportunity to review areas of development and potential for growth.

It was reported that the total cost to run the Clacton Air Show in 2023 had been £192,272, this included a budgeted subsidy of £130,330 and income generation of £65,718. A full financial breakdown had been included within the review, this incorporated the total costs of running the Clacton Air Show, impacts to the Council, and income generated. Alongside the budgeted financial subsidy for the Clacton Air Show, there were additional ‘in-kind’ costs incurred by the Council including staffing during the event and costs associated with Engineering and back office support.

Cabinet was made aware that the following options for the future of the Clacton Air Show had been considered:-

Option 1 – Air Show to be reviewed and agreed annually. Historically the decision to run the Air Show had been made annually following a review of the previous year’s event. There was the option to continue making this decision on a yearly basis, which would enable current factors to be taken into consideration. The 2024 Clacton Airshow had been announced in the press, though a formal decision would need to be published to accompany this. This option would require an additional amount of up to £60,000 to be identified on an annual basis.

Option 2 – commitment to Clacton Air Show for 2024 – 2027. A four year commitment to Clacton Air Show with a full flight schedule for 2024-2027 would enable the Operational Tourism Team to explore economies of scale including multi-year core service procurement (including First Aid and Security), attracting external funding, exploring sponsorship opportunities including the potential to attract a headline sponsor and engage with specialist organisations to procure additional sponsors, digital enhancement, and explore Clacton Air Show official merchandise. An Annual Review would be carried out to provide a report on the Air Show and highlight any key decisions required for future events. This option would require an additional amount of up to £60,000 to be identified for each of the four years set out in this option.

Option 3 – to cease running the Clacton Air Show. There was the option to cease running the Clacton Air Show, however as the 2024 Clacton Air Show had been publicly announced this would be a reputational risk to the Council. Due to the significant economic and social impact that the event had on tourism in Tendring, Officers would need adequate time to consider what events could replace an event of this scale and impact.

Having duly considered and weighed the advantages and disadvantages of the three potential courses of action:-

It was moved by Councillor M E Stephenson, seconded by Councillor Barry and:-

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)    formally agrees, subject to funding being allocated, to support the continuation of delivering the Clacton Air Show for the years 2024-2027, with annual reviews to be undertaken; and

(b)    requests Officers to explore sponsorship opportunities including engaging specialist resource support.