Agenda item

Reporting person: Riette Thomas

This item will be a presentation at the meeting.

Riette Thomas, Project Manager for Celebrate Woking, gave a presentation on the Celebrate Woking Programme which had begun in 2012 with the Olympics and Diamond Jubilee events.  The Covid-19 pandemic had presented an opportunity for the Council to reflect on what had been delivered successfully and how things could be restarted.

An engagement exercise had been held to help develop the 2022 programme of events.  The programme would be aimed at strengthening community spirit, promoting a positive image of Woking, increasing participation from within the community, maximising opportunities for economic development and creating a legacy. Riette highlighted the relevance of the previous slogan which was ‘Be Proud, Be Part Of It’. The Council would work with a wide range of local organisations to deliver the programme,  including schools, uniformed services, churches, women’s groups, residents and other community groups.

Riette closed the presentation by noting that there was a tight deadline to deliver the programme and that what was being proposed was viable and less resource intensive than delivering a single event such as Party in the Park or the Food Festival.

Councillor Brown asked whether there were any plans to market the 2022 Football World Cup which would take place at the end of 2022. Riette advised that the big screen had only been hired for the Summer period but that other proposals could be considered, including possible work with pubs across the Borough.

Council Kirby asked whether it would be possible to consider creating a time capsule for the town as part of the celebration. Riette commented that there was a time capsule in the Lightbox from 2012 which would be opened in 2060 though added that something similar could be considered for the year around the theme of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Councillor Hussain asked whether there was anything planned around the villages in Woking. Riette stated that the Business Liaison team would work closely with businesses in the villages, hoping to replicate what would be happening in the Town Centre. Officers would also encourage the participation in the programme of any businesses with a royal connection.

Councillor Dorsett asked whether local choirs, dance schools, operatic and dramatic societies had been approached to be involved in the programme, and suggested the possibility of livestreaming events in the town centre.  It was further suggested that the Summer Zone would benefit from an enhanced food and drinks offer.

The Committee advised that the programme allowed for an element of flexibility to enable additional proposals to be considered.  Local organisations involved in the performing arts had been invited to participate in the programme, and follow up approaches would be made.  Caution was expressed that significantly expanding the scope of the programme would place pressure on the Council, and that local organisations could be encouraged to stage their own events.  The suggestions around livestreaming events and the Summer Zone would be explored by Officers.

In response to a specific question around the local Italian Community, the Committee was advised that efforts had been made to contact all local community groups  to encourage their participation.

Councillor Nicholson suggested the possibility of staging a competition for a ‘Platinum Queen’ and a ‘Platinum King’, and asked if younger age groups and frontline services would be involved in the programme.

The suggestion of a competition would be explored in consultation with Woking Shopping.  In respect of younger children, Officers could write to local nurseries to explain how they could get involved and build their own legacy.  On the point of frontline services, Riette stated that the lighting of the beacon and Service of Thanksgiving were specifically for them.  The programme could be used as an opportunity to invite frontline service workers to attend the opening celebrations.

The Chairman asked how local residents would be able to access information on the programme and how they could become involved.  Riette stated that it was intended to establish a webpage by the end of the year with information on the programme, including a Celebrate Woking calendar to which churches and community groups would be able to contribute.

Councillor Kemp referred to the Food Festival and noted that, whilst it was a great event, not many local businesses engaged despite efforts by Officers.  Officers would continue to encourage the participation of local businesses in events such as those within the Celebrate Woking programme. 

The work of the Officers was acknowledged and the Committee thanked Riette for the detailed presentation.

RESOLVED

That the Celebrate Woking Review and Forward Plan be noted.