Agenda item

MINUTES AMENDED AT SUBSEQUENT MEETING – SEE 22^ND SEPTEMBER 2016.

Council were presented with a report which updated Members on the 2016 Velothon event and sought the Council’s commitment to supporting the Velothon event from 2017 – 2020 by enabling the route to travel through Monmouthshire.

County Councillors B. Jones, B. Strong, and P. Clarke declared a non-personal, prejudicial interest pursuant under the Members Code of Conduct and left the Council Chamber for the following discussion.

County Councillor R.J. Greenland presented the report and highlighted that Run4Wales had been appointed to take on the management of the Velothon, and had consulted widely regarding problems of previous years.

During debate we noted:

·         Concerns were expressed surrounding the improvements carried out by Run4Wales.

·         It was recognised that Monmouthshire is a cycling county, but as the Velothon is centred around Cardiff, there were concerns that there was no benefit to the County.

·         Members sought clarification regarding the costs incurred in hosting the event, and requested further financial information.  In response advised that any infrastructure costs were picked up by the organisers, and there was no set budget for the Velothon. 

County Councillor S. Jones proposed an addition to the recommendation in that the following be added: This review will include pro-active and direct engagement with Town and Community Councils and with the business community, particularly those businesses who have been adversely affected over the last two years.  This was duly seconded.

·         A Member agreed that communication had improved, but felt that the level of disruption had an inequitable impact on communities. 

·         A Member briefing on the Velothon had been poorly attended, and those who had attended suggested that this would have been an ideal time to present questions to the organisers.  However, some who had attended were still not convinced that concerns have been addressed.

·         It was expressed that high profile, televised events held in Monmouthshire were an advantage for the County.  However a Member expressed that the Velothon is not in that category, and is a Cardiff event, and therefore the benefits were received by Cardiff only.  In comparison Monmouthshire is disrupted and effectively closed for the day.

·         The Leader agreed that Council would like to receive more evidence of the benefits, but added that such events were important for the future economy of Monmouthshire. 

·         There were concerns that the staff costs directed towards the event should be used in other areas, again it was requested that figures and costs should be included in the report.

·         A Member expressed that the main concern was the prolonged closures of the roads.

·         A Member advised that at the Member briefing a suggestion had been made to persuade organisers to arrange that start and finish points be in Monmouthshire in the future.

Following a proposal to defer the item to a later date it was agreed to adjourn for 10 minutes.

Upon return the Chief Executive advised Members that officers would not able to determine the exact benefit to the County, and it could not be guaranteed that costs would be quantified at the next Council meeting.  Furthermore, we would not be in a position to negotiate a change in the start/finish for 2017, and there was a concern that Monmouthshire would not have the capacity for this.  Newport could be a consideration, and alternative route proposals may be influencable to 2018.

County Councillor R.J. Greenland confirmed the amended recommendation as:

That Council agrees to support the 2017 Velothon subject to an annual post event review.  This review will include pro-active and direct engagement with Town and Community Councils, and with the business community, particularly those businesses who have been adversely affected over the last two years.

The Chair proposed that, following the discussions, an agreement be made with Run4Wales to support the 2017 Velothon, but that they (Run4Wales) address urgently the concerns put to them and officers provide the evidence, that is available including costs, requested by members.  This information will be presented to Council in September 2017.

Upon being put to the vote the amended recommendation was carried.