PLANS for a new series of community music and arts festivals for Melksham have been pushed back by town councillors who described the project as ‘woolly’ and having ‘no firm plan’.
The proposed ‘Melksham ArtBeats Festival’, an idea championed by mayor cllr Jon Hubbard, would comprise of four weekend mini festivals across the year, including contemporary/classical music concerts, art exhibitions in the Assembly Hall, ‘hands-on’ workshops, and music from local bands and artists.
Cllr Hubbard had described the series of festivals as an “exciting opportunity to showcase Melksham’s talent and its venues”.
However, at last week’s full council meeting, town councillors raised concerns about a request for the town council to contribute up to £10,000 towards the cost of organising the festival.
“We’re not a bottomless pit,” said cllr Jacqui Crundell who questioned if residents would even attend the festivals.
“The proposal’s a bit woolly,” said cllr Phil Alford. “We haven’t got a firm plan, we don’t know what is being exactly proposed here.
“I’m not comfortable with how it is being funded, I don’t see an actually tangible plan, I’m not convinced by the outcomes of this project at the moment – I appreciate we want to support local artists, but personally I don’t think this a good use of the precept [the proportion of council tax that is paid to the town council]. We have other competing pressures.
“I’m just not convinced it’s going to give us a worthwhile outcome for the investment that we are looking at.”
Cllr Claire Forgacs added, “I’m surprised that we are being asked to vote on money, when we have no idea on the costing, if it’s viable, workable, and how everything is going to work.”
There was also concern raised about the pressure the festivals might put on town council staff time.
“Staff are stretched at the moment,” said cllr Louisa Lewis. “Asking them to organise this and put it on every quarter, at the moment, is a lot to ask.”
There was some support for the ArtBeats Festival at the meeting from some councillors.
Cllr Saffi Rabey explained that the festivals would give smaller local bands an opportunity to perform to the community – something that is lacking for them at the moment. She also said it would be an event for the whole community to enjoy.
Cllr Sue Mortimer agreed, adding that the festivals would be an opportunity to promote unity in the community, encouraging people out of their homes.
Despite the show of support, it was proposed by cllr Pat Aves, who described the festival as ‘all ideas and no detail’, that more work be done to flesh out the proposal and create a ‘plan of action’ so that the council can make an informed decision.
“I like the idea,” said cllr Aves. “I find it an exciting and interesting idea. I don’t want to pour cold water on it, but I don’t think we know enough about it at the moment.”
It had been hoped that councillors would be presented with information about other sources of funding that could be available to support the festival. Cllr Hubbard, with the support of the town council’s community development officer, had been tasked with sourcing the information, but the councillor had sent his apologies and was not present for the meeting.
