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Scotsman
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh council still to reclaim £430,000 from organisers of last year's cancelled Hogmanay event
Edinburgh council is still working to reclaim almost £430,000 in grants and income from organisers of last year's cancelled Hogmanay event. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... All of the city's outdoor Hogmanay events on December 30 and 31 last year were cancelled due to severe weather, with attendees securing refunds from organiser Unique Events. Council officers presented a report to councillors on the 2024/25 winter festivals on Thursday, which showed that the winter festivals were largely successful. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, it also said that the city was still working to secure almost £220,000 in expected income from Unique Events, and £208,000 in grant money used for the event. Officers said an open-book audit will be conducted into the Hogmanay celebrations, in order to 'ensure no enrichment has occurred' as a result of the cancellation. An Edinburgh council officer said the 'process is ongoing, but we expect it to be concluded shortly' SNP councillor Lesley McInnes asked officers: 'Is there a clear indication about when those items of outstanding repayment to the council will be settled?' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Adam Henry, a council officer covering festivals and events, said: 'We're working with the contractors at the moment, and agreeing a payment plan for those. 'We've had the most recent submission of their accounts, and the figure stated [in the report] has been revised and increased. We're currently expecting a figure in excess of £208,000. 'That process is ongoing, but we expect it to be concluded shortly.' Mr Henry also said that the organisers were working with their insurance adjusters, and that they expected payment to be made shortly. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gareth Barwell, the city's Executive Director of Place, added: 'We are aware this is a very high public interest matter. Just to give an undertaking for the record that there will be a public domain report on this when we conclude it. 'There are some legal issues we're dealing with which means we can't discuss it in a public forum right now. 'But I do want to reassure members of the public that there will be a report that comes back that sets out a settlement sum and a justification behind it, so everyone can understand how those final figures have been arrived at.' The city expected to make a total profit from the Hogmanay celebrations of just under £669,000, just under two-thirds of which has been paid by the event organisers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In 2024, Unique Assembly, a partnership of Unique Events and Assembly Festivals, was given a three year contract to run the city's winter festivals, with two year-long extensions possible. The 2024/2025 Hogmanay was carried out by Unique Events on its own, while future Hogmanay celebrations will be carried out by Unique Assembly. Councillors agreed to note the report, and added a request for officers to ask the organisers for details of air pollution monitoring they said they would carry out. Additionally, they agreed to an addendum expressing concern over the 'governance, legal compliance and financial enforcement' of the winter festivals contracts and asking for a private briefing from the council's legal team on that subject. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, the committee had already received a briefing from the legal team by the time the committee meeting was conducted. Conservative councillor Tim Jones said: 'My initial concerns here were that critical facts regarding the governance, legal compliance and financial enforcement of the contracts had not been fully disclosed and discussed. 'Now we have received a legal briefing which needs time to be considered. If my understanding is correct, we are going to have another report brought back for discussion.' Labour councillor Margaret Graham, convener of the Culture and Communities Committee, said: 'The findings of this report demonstrate the many benefits Edinburgh's winter festivals deliver to local communities, businesses, and charities, despite the cancellation of last year's outdoor events. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Our Winter Festivals, which last year attracted a footfall of almost 3m, contribute significantly to the wellbeing of our residents by providing activities for all ages and income brackets to enjoy during the festive season. 'The events bring positive economic benefit for the city and for Scotland as a whole, supporting jobs in the tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors, among others. 'However, it's essential that we continue to be transparent around the enforcement of the contract, and as agreed at Culture and Communities Committee additional briefings on the matter will be delivered to members, alongside an open book audit of Edinburgh's Hogmanay.'
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hogmanay cash clawback will be ‘transparent'
Edinburgh council is still working to reclaim almost £430,000 in grants and income from organisers of last year's cancelled Hogmanay event. All of the city's outdoor Hogmanay events on 30 and 31 December last year were cancelled due to severe weather, with attendees securing refunds from organiser Unique Events. Council officers presented a report to councillors on the 2024/25 winter festivals on Thursday, which showed that the winter festivals were largely successful. However, it also said that the city was still working to secure almost £220,000 in expected income from Unique Events, and £208,000 in grant money used for the event. Officers said an open-book audit will be conducted into the Hogmanay celebrations, in order to 'ensure no enrichment has occurred' as a result of the cancellation. SNP councillor Lesley McInnes asked officers: 'Is there a clear indication about when those items of outstanding repayment to the council will be settled?' Adam Henry, a council officer covering festivals and events, said: 'We're working with the contractors at the moment, and agreeing a payment plan for those. 'We've had the most recent submission of their accounts, and the figure stated [in the report] has been revised and increased. We're currently expecting a figure in excess of £208,000. 'That process is ongoing, but we expect it to be concluded shortly.' Mr Henry also said that the organisers were working with their insurance adjusters, and that they expected payment to be made shortly. Gareth Barwell, the city's Executive Director of Place, added: 'We are aware this is a very high public interest matter. Just to give an undertaking for the record that there will be a public domain report on this when we conclude it. 'There are some legal issues we're dealing with which means we can't discuss it in a public forum right now. 'But I do want to reassure members of the public that there will be a report that comes back that sets out a settlement sum and a justification behind it, so everyone can understand how those final figures have been arrived at.' The city expected to make a total profit from the Hogmanay celebrations of just under £669,000, just under two-thirds of which has been paid by the event organisers. In 2024, Unique Assembly, a partnership of Unique Events and Assembly Festivals, was given a three year contract to run the city's winter festivals, with two year-long extensions possible. The 2024/2025 Hogmanay was carried out by Unique Events on its own, while future Hogmanay celebrations will be carried out by Unique Assembly. Councillors agreed to note the report, and added a request for officers to ask the organisers for details of air pollution monitoring they said they would carry out. Additionally, they agreed to an addendum expressing concern over the 'governance, legal compliance and financial enforcement' of the winter festivals contracts and asking for a private briefing from the council's legal team on that subject. However, the committee had already received a briefing from the legal team by the time the committee meeting was conducted. Conservative councillor Tim Jones said: 'My initial concerns here were that critical facts regarding the governance, legal compliance and financial enforcement of the contracts had not been fully disclosed and discussed. 'Now we have received a legal briefing which needs time to be considered. If my understanding is correct, we are going to have another report brought back for discussion.' Labour councillor Margaret Graham, convener of the Culture and Communities Committee, said: 'The findings of this report demonstrate the many benefits Edinburgh's winter festivals deliver to local communities, businesses, and charities, despite the cancellation of last year's outdoor events. 'Our Winter Festivals, which last year attracted a footfall of almost 3m, contribute significantly to the wellbeing of our residents by providing activities for all ages and income brackets to enjoy during the festive season. 'The events bring positive economic benefit for the city and for Scotland as a whole, supporting jobs in the tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors, among others. 'However, it's essential that we continue to be transparent around the enforcement of the contract, and as agreed at Culture and Communities Committee additional briefings on the matter will be delivered to members, alongside an open book audit of Edinburgh's Hogmanay.' By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Council still to reclaim almost £430,000 from cancelled Hogmanay event
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Edinburgh council is still working to reclaim almost £430,000 in grants and income from organisers of last year's cancelled Hogmanay event. All of the city's outdoor Hogmanay events on 30 and 31 December last year were cancelled due to severe weather, with attendees securing refunds from organiser Unique Events. Council officers presented a report to councillors on the 2024/25 winter festivals on Thursday, which showed that the winter festivals were largely successful. However, it also said that the city was still working to secure almost £220,000 in expected income from Unique Events, and £208,000 in grant money used for the event. Officers said an open-book audit will be conducted into the Hogmanay celebrations, in order to 'ensure no enrichment has occurred' as a result of the cancellation. SNP councillor Lesley McInnes asked officers: 'Is there a clear indication about when those items of outstanding repayment to the council will be settled?' Adam Henry, a council officer covering festivals and events, said: 'We're working with the contractors at the moment, and agreeing a payment plan for those. 'We've had the most recent submission of their accounts, and the figure stated [in the report] has been revised and increased. We're currently expecting a figure in excess of £208,000. 'That process is ongoing, but we expect it to be concluded shortly." Mr Henry also said that the organisers were working with their insurance adjusters, and that they expected payment to be made shortly. Gareth Barwell, the city's Executive Director of Place, added: 'We are aware this is a very high public interest matter. Just to give an undertaking for the record that there will be a public domain report on this when we conclude it. 'There are some legal issues we're dealing with which means we can't discuss it in a public forum right now. 'But I do want to reassure members of the public that there will be a report that comes back that sets out a settlement sum and a justification behind it, so everyone can understand how those final figures have been arrived at.' The city expected to make a total profit from the Hogmanay celebrations of just under £669,000, just under two-thirds of which has been paid by the event organisers. In 2024, Unique Assembly, a partnership of Unique Events and Assembly Festivals, was given a three year contract to run the city's winter festivals, with two year-long extensions possible. The 2024/2025 Hogmanay was carried out by Unique Events on its own, while future Hogmanay celebrations will be carried out by Unique Assembly. Councillors agreed to note the report, and added a request for officers to ask the organisers for details of air pollution monitoring they said they would carry out. Additionally, they agreed to an addendum expressing concern over the 'governance, legal compliance and financial enforcement' of the winter festivals contracts and asking for a private briefing from the council's legal team on that subject. However, the committee had already received a briefing from the legal team by the time the committee meeting was conducted. Conservative councillor Tim Jones said: 'My initial concerns here were that critical facts regarding the governance, legal compliance and financial enforcement of the contracts had not been fully disclosed and discussed. 'Now we have received a legal briefing which needs time to be considered. If my understanding is correct, we are going to have another report brought back for discussion.' Labour councillor Margaret Graham, convener of the Culture and Communities Committee, said: 'The findings of this report demonstrate the many benefits Edinburgh's winter festivals deliver to local communities, businesses, and charities, despite the cancellation of last year's outdoor events. 'Our Winter Festivals, which last year attracted a footfall of almost 3m, contribute significantly to the wellbeing of our residents by providing activities for all ages and income brackets to enjoy during the festive season. 'The events bring positive economic benefit for the city and for Scotland as a whole, supporting jobs in the tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors, among others. 'However, it's essential that we continue to be transparent around the enforcement of the contract, and as agreed at Culture and Communities Committee additional briefings on the matter will be delivered to members, alongside an open book audit of Edinburgh's Hogmanay.'
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Edinburgh set to get £140,00 refund over Hogmanay wash-out
Three days of outdoor events were wiped out by prolonged high winds between December 29 and 31. Read more: However the city council has still not managed to recover any of the £812,456 it put into last year's four-day Hogmanay festival. An official report for the city council has also revealed that is still to be paid more than £250,000 in fees from last year's Christmas and new year festivals. However councillors have been told that "in excess of £140,000" is expected to be recouped once the insurance claim over the cancellations is settled, while the council said there is a "clear expectation" that it will all the money it is due from various charges, including traffic orders and the rental of key sites including Princes Street Gardens. Edinburgh's Hogmanay fireworks were called off last year. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) The new figures have emerged after it was announced that an overall audience of 2.8 million had been attracted to the city centre over the festive season, which has been valued at £198 million to the economy. Unique Events and Assembly were last May awarded a joint contract to produce the Christmas and new year events for up to five years. While the Christmas festival is expected to be run on a commercial basis, the £812,456 council grant is expected to help pay for the Hogmanay festival, which costs around £3.56 million to stage. Key costs in the budget include £314,000 for a torchlight procession on December 29, £137,000 for a Night Afore Disco Party in Princes Street Gardens on December 30, £890,000 for the Concert in Gardens on Hogmanay and £1.49m for the main street party on Princes Street on Hogmanay. However the fire parade was called off around 5pm, shortly before it was due to set off, due to the wind speeds being recorded in the city centre. The plug was pulled on the other outdoor events and the planned midnight fireworks display just after 3pm on December 30 due to the weather conditions hampering the set up of the main arena and stages across the city centre. All planned indoor events were able to go ahead as planned at venues including the Assembly Rooms, the Assembly Hall, St Giles' Cathedral and the National Museum of Scotland. Councillors have been told that the event organisers had been in 'constant communication with their insurers between December 29 and 31. The report for the council's culture committee said: 'It is anticipated that the council will be able to recover some of the grant funding released to support Edinburgh's Hogmanay. 'Due to the events that did take place and the ongoing insurance claim for the cancelled outdoor 2024/25 events, this figure is not currently available but is expected to be in excess of £140,000. 'The council receives fixed fee rental income from Unique-Assembly for the delivery of Edinburgh's Christmas dependent upon land made available to the successful contract holder. In addition, the council receives significant income from charges. Council charges, including fixed fee income, rentals, hires, licensing, planning permission, building warrants and traffic management orders for the 2024-25 winter festivals 2024/25 represented an income to the council of £668,595 of which £418,700 has currently been paid. 'The council is in ongoing discussions with the contractor in relation to any outstanding payments due with a clear expectation that all relevant contractual sums will be settled. 'The council is aware of the terms of the contract and the potential remedies available to it and will continue to take appropriate steps to recover sums in line with the contract.' A spokesperson for Unique Events and Assembly said: 'There will be a financial return to CEC following completion of the insurance process. 'In light of last year's extreme weather conditions, we will continue to adapt and evolve the four-day Hogmanay events programme to maintain the city's reputation as a premier new year celebration.'
