Big Weekend debts paid off with business grants (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Big Weekend debts paid off with business grants
7:20am Tuesday 15th September 2009 in News
A DECISION to spend almost £500,000 of business grants on paying off Swindon Council’s debt for the Radio One Big Weekend has been labelled “atrocious”.
Emma Faramarzi, chair of the Swindon Federation of Small Businesses, said the council should have used the grants to support businesses.
South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove has also criticised the move and said services such as Swindon’s park and ride system could have been saved.
But Swindon Council’s leader said May’s festival brought £2m into the local economy.
At a meeting of Swindon Council’s cabinet last week councillors agreed to commit £498,000 from Local Authority Business Growth Incentives (LABGI) to pay off the remaining debt.
Mrs Faramarzi said: “The decision to use these grants, which are there to help Swindon businesses is atrocious.
“This money should be spent on giving a helping hand to business.”
But Swindon Council leader Coun Rod Bluh defended the move.
He said: “We made this decision because we felt the benefit to the town was significant.
“It was estimated that the Big Weekend brought £2m into the local economy. It gave us the kind of national publicity that you just can’t buy and it put us in a good position to host further music festivals in the future. On top of that it was a great weekend for Swindon’s young people.”
South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove said she was concerned few local businesses benefited from the event.
She has called on the council to quantify the benefits to the town, and added: “The Government grants are meant to be used by councils to save services that have been affected by the recession or to support initiatives that attract new businesses.
“In May I called for the council to use this money to keep branch libraries open and to save the Groundwell Park and Ride site, which is key to the economy of our town. The council refused to use the money for schemes that are fully supported by local people. For them to use this funding and next year’s funding to pay off a bill is astonishing.”
Coun Bluh said rhetorically: “Does Anne think that it would be a better use of these resources to pay for a park and ride that serviced 200 cars a day rather than an event that brought £2m to the town?”
Comments(46)
Lars
says...
8:52am Tue 15 Sep 09
Unlike other nearby cities such as Oxford, Bath and Bristol, Swindon does not suffer with a bad traffic problem. If the P&R was serving 200 cars per day and now it's not there, how many of those 200 cars will now go somewhere else? I would suggest very few, if any. I live out of town and whenever I go into the town centre (once a week, at least) I drive and have no problem at all parking in a multi-storey, so why would I use Park and Ride? If I was going to Oxford I would certainly use P&R because driving there is a nightmare.
The Big Weekend brought some much needed national recognition to Swindon. As with any event like this you can always find something more practical on which the money could have been spent but you have to look at the bigger picture, I'm afraid.
Personally, the Big Weekend didn't interest me, probably because I'm too old. But I did recognise there was a buzz to the town that weekend and young people nationwide were talking about Swindon. We probably haven't had that level of national recognition since our football club made it to the Premier League, and that was 16 years ago!
The Adder
says...
9:05am Tue 15 Sep 09
Lars
says...
9:13am Tue 15 Sep 09
The Adder wrote:Yes you're right. Labour have done such a fine job of running the economy, why would anyone want a change in government?
Yet another flagrant piece of financial mal-management by this dispicible Tory Council. And to think some people want the Tories back in power and back in charge of the nations purse-strings. It truly beggers belief.
Even Angrier Monkey
says...
9:31am Tue 15 Sep 09
Lars
says...
9:52am Tue 15 Sep 09
Even Angrier Monkey wrote:Agree entirely.
Snelgrove's comments are an example of why nothing good usually happens in Swindon. No ambition. Content with the mundane. bland.
Janais is back
says...
10:03am Tue 15 Sep 09
Remaining Debt!
What was the whole debt I wonder?
Mr Blackwell
says...
10:22am Tue 15 Sep 09
Oh yes, this little theory has the stench of Labour ALL over it.
The on-going costs of a little used Park & Ride scheme would have been monumental and never ending.
Anne Snelgrove will oppose ANYTHING a Tory Council ever does, whilst at the same time never failing to support and condone her own discredited and washed up government cronies. Her blind partisan attitude is one of the many reasons she'll be losing her seat in 9 months time.
itsamess
says...
10:52am Tue 15 Sep 09
trustnopolitician
says...
11:02am Tue 15 Sep 09
Not that Labour aren't lamentable.
Not much to choose between the former Sue Bates Labour administration and Mr Bluh's - both very damaging because they lack even a vestige if good and effective fiancial management.
BB71
says...
11:08am Tue 15 Sep 09
AND, it seems the Council had to spend as well.
Sounds more like a money losing situation to me.
The town would benefit more from actually "upgrading" it to a descent shopping/sports/cult
ure town. And intelligent spending/investing of the Tax money would help as well. Only building more high-rise buildings and hotels (in the run down town centre) will not promote the town in any sort or form. Lower business rates, free town centre/old town parking and a general touch up would do the town well. Also, a new Football Ground is very important to this as well. This could hold also outdoor concerts and other events - as seen everywhere else. And if one builds a modern one, with a retractable roof, it could be used as an indoor venue as well- use all year round!!!
BUT, anyway, the Borough Council seems (IS) completely resistant to the outside world, proper town development and sustainable planning. Who elect's those G.I.M.P.S.?
Bobfm
says...
11:20am Tue 15 Sep 09
Councillor Bluh clearly does not have a clue as to how local small retailers are struggling. This 1/2 million should have been used in rate support grants to business to ease the burden we all face, not to pay off God knows who. Perhaps he would like to say what the Councils debt was or do we have to do an FOIA request to get it, and who were the creditors owed this money. We were told it was a self funding event. So it seems we were lied to.
Mr Blackwell
says...
11:39am Tue 15 Sep 09
Swindon is attempting (albeit very slowly) to make something of itself. The R1 BW didn't just happen for two days. Bands, artists, DJs, managers, tour crew, promoters and booking agents will all have come to the town, seen the various official and unofficial Fringe events and visited the various venues in the town.
Already we have seen more and more big names playing the Oasis and with the new, mid-sized venue on the way at the old Mecca site there is scope for multiple national and international bands to come here on a weekly basis. While I agree that there are now too many hotel in Swindon, at least if the new venue takes off some of those at the foot of Princess Street may seen some customers.
The point is that Swindon's music scene is thriving but has been stifled, due to a lack of larger venues and a general feeling that Swindon is in a the shade in terms of national profile and recognition.
Radio 1 helped raise that profile very significantly with the Big Weekend. In fact, only yesterday I heard Edith Bowman mention Swindon and the Big Weekend several times - that's around six months after it happened.
OK, as soon as next year's BW happens, it'll be THAT town that benefits, but in the meantime Swindon should be capitalising on the increased awareness and this new venue will hopefully do just that.
If the venue does things properly, Swindon could see (literally) thousands of people per month coming into the town from other areas that would otherwise have had not reason whatsoever to come here. They will keep people employed a the new venue, will spend money in the pubs and takeaways that now essentially make up our entire town centre, they will pay for parking, they will use taxis, they will maybe book hotel rooms.
This all adds up to the Big Weekend being a very savvy investment by the Council.
The Adder
says...
12:07pm Tue 15 Sep 09
Lars wrote:Yes they have. Until the past year or so people really have 'never had it so good' as they have under this Labour Government. They were victims of a global financial crisis and handled it as best they could which is a **** sight better than the Tories would have! People have giot very short memories i'm afraid.
The Adder wrote: Yet another flagrant piece of financial mal-management by this dispicible Tory Council. And to think some people want the Tories back in power and back in charge of the nations purse-strings. It truly beggers belief.Yes you're right. Labour have done such a fine job of running the economy, why would anyone want a change in government?
Donkey
says...
12:38pm Tue 15 Sep 09
This is because they know only too well that Mr Bluh's Council are in fact in deep excrement and everything they do seems to fall apart.
About time, next May that is, that Swindon People created a coalition Council from their skills at the ballot box, if they have any considering the previous protest votes which brought in this shower in charge of SBC?
This Big Weekend should have created profit not LOSS for this town ... it's a disgrace.
Mr Blackwell
says...
12:44pm Tue 15 Sep 09
All the tell-tale signs of impending recession/depression were there since 2005 but Gordon Brown decided to ignore those and, instead, blame the collapse of the US sub-prime markets. I wonder why.
If you still believe Mr Brown's version of events, then you must accept that he was no more the architect of our 'good times' (you know, rampant debt and uncontrolled consumerism) than he was of the dark days. Much as he'd like to, he can't have his cake and eat it. Either the world economy dictates our own, or it doesn't.
Labour will once again leave office having destroyed our economy, made little improvement in services despite throwing billions at them and with the nation owing a level of debt that is now so large as to be literally incomprehensible.
As Mr Brown himself has stated, 'We must no longer reward failure'. With that in mind, I look forward to Labour losing the next general election. Quite frankly, *anyone* could do a better job... well, apart from the BNP or the Socialist Party, obviously.
Mr Blackwell
says...
12:46pm Tue 15 Sep 09
The Big Weekend already has created a profit for the town, and that's not including all future revenues it will have helped bring here.
ifuwantblood
says...
12:58pm Tue 15 Sep 09
And does anyone actually still listen to Snelgrove's comments?
Donkey
says...
2:06pm Tue 15 Sep 09
I can remember Cllr Greenhalgh stating that the proposed relief road from Purton Road to Barnfield would cost £100Million ... total hogwash, from that time forward I realised that their maths is somewhat doubtful at the best of times ... no need to criticise my figures!
BB71
says...
2:36pm Tue 15 Sep 09
I think, you life in dreamland - this BBC 1 weekend was a quick fix, nothing else, nothing less. And because it's gets mentioned by BBC itself, does not mean, the word gets spread.
The weekend did not raise the quality of Swindon, it did not raise the profile of the town and it's appearance.
The "Big" weekend was about BBC Radio 1 and that's it.
Also, we had big names playing in Swindon before and I cannot see the masses of Mega Acts coming through now - can you? Please let me know if it's anything more than Alice Coopper and Motorhead, which can not be seariously linked to the Big Plastic Weekend (I watched some of it on TV and was ashamed about the musical quality of these so called top acts - most of them could not even handle their instruments, i.e. Snow Patrol, etc.) - the shining exception was The Prodigy.
What I want to say with my comments - it needs more than a staged event to do something for the town.
Kineasy
says...
2:49pm Tue 15 Sep 09
£2 Million pound benefit to the Town? How has that conveniant figure been calculated?
Why can SBC not be honest about all of this?
Small business in the town currently needs all the help it can get. Rents and rates have gone through the roof. Another £1/2 Million quid on a jamboree that was never going to make any money for the town is disgusting. All very nice, great day, but, We cannot afford it.
So, again, what was the total cost to the people of Swindon???
Mr Blackwell
says...
4:27pm Tue 15 Sep 09
BTW, would you care to explain why you believe the Council's figure of a £500,000 debt without reservation, yet appear not to believe their figure of a £2m profit?
The taxpayer has lost NOTHING and will continue to benefit as time moves on.
But, I know, you'd rather have spent the money on creating a 20mph zone on the area of road just outside your house.
Mr Blackwell
says...
4:30pm Tue 15 Sep 09
Oh dear. About half the acts that played at the Oasis shortly before and since the R1 BW also appeared at the R1 BW.
Don't tell me, you think that's pure coincidence?
The only point you've made that I agree with is that, of course, the R1 BW cannot improve Swindon in isolation. But, then, anyone who thought it could do needs to have a serious rethink.
Donkey
says...
4:52pm Tue 15 Sep 09
The figure of the £500K xpenses residue is fact, whereas the £2M benefit is fiction old chap!
I am not a 'failed' New Labour activist ... what am I doing on this and other comments boards ... slating the incompetents as ever, 'ey?
Paul.
BB71
says...
4:58pm Tue 15 Sep 09
Of course, that must be the "Big" BBC1 Festival - and who where these Big Acts then? Cascada ;-) The X-Faxtor Winner (I don't even know his name - he's tooo big - help me out) I don't understand?? You are aware of the fact, that these "acts" have to tour the "lost cities" as they are not major acts.
Don't take this the wrong way, but it appears that you have not a big idea about music and it's industrie.
But, you know, why acts coming to Swindon rather than playing in Bristol, etc. do you? A little hint - it has something to do with fee's and cost's for venues/hotels.
But, I did not mean to bore you with knowledge and facts - appologies!!!
IMO
says...
5:11pm Tue 15 Sep 09
Lars wrote:well said, common sense really.
I would question how much revenue a Park and Ride scheme actually does bring to the businesses of Swindon.
Unlike other nearby cities such as Oxford, Bath and Bristol, Swindon does not suffer with a bad traffic problem. If the P&R was serving 200 cars per day and now it's not there, how many of those 200 cars will now go somewhere else? I would suggest very few, if any. I live out of town and whenever I go into the town centre (once a week, at least) I drive and have no problem at all parking in a multi-storey, so why would I use Park and Ride? If I was going to Oxford I would certainly use P&R because driving there is a nightmare.
The Big Weekend brought some much needed national recognition to Swindon. As with any event like this you can always find something more practical on which the money could have been spent but you have to look at the bigger picture, I'm afraid.
Personally, the Big Weekend didn't interest me, probably because I'm too old. But I did recognise there was a buzz to the town that weekend and young people nationwide were talking about Swindon. We probably haven't had that level of national recognition since our football club made it to the Premier League, and that was 16 years ago!
shame real -life, town centre cant get that simple fact
IMO
says...
5:20pm Tue 15 Sep 09
trustnopolitician wrote:Plenty of clowns on these forums judging by your comments.
The Clowns (sorry councillors) are at it again consistently considering conservatives intersts in front of the the taxpayer.
Not that Labour aren't lamentable.
Not much to choose between the former Sue Bates Labour administration and Mr Bluh's - both very damaging because they lack even a vestige if good and effective fiancial management.
All you guys ever seem to do is knock the council - expand your mind beyond a pea and you might just realise that Swindon council of today is comparable with other great councils of our day. The proof will be in the legacy - so don't even bother responding.
Mr Blackwell
says...
6:12pm Tue 15 Sep 09
That's brilliant... if only you knew!
BTW, Lily Allen, Kasabian, Dizzee Rascal, Scouting For Girls, Basement Jaxx... just some of the main acts at the BW who, strangely enough, all played (or are playing) the Oasis within six months of the BW.
All have had top ten, or number one, albums and all are major acts.
Sorry, you've lost what little credibility you may have had.
Ian13
says...
8:13pm Tue 15 Sep 09
Swindon generally gets a poor "press" so anything as positive as this is a welcome change.
Lars
says...
8:16pm Tue 15 Sep 09
Mr Blackwell wrote:Great post. Basically what I was trying to say above but you have put it more succinctly!
Some people are so short-sighted to the point it's embarrassing. Swindon is attempting (albeit very slowly) to make something of itself. The R1 BW didn't just happen for two days. Bands, artists, DJs, managers, tour crew, promoters and booking agents will all have come to the town, seen the various official and unofficial Fringe events and visited the various venues in the town. Already we have seen more and more big names playing the Oasis and with the new, mid-sized venue on the way at the old Mecca site there is scope for multiple national and international bands to come here on a weekly basis. While I agree that there are now too many hotel in Swindon, at least if the new venue takes off some of those at the foot of Princess Street may seen some customers. The point is that Swindon's music scene is thriving but has been stifled, due to a lack of larger venues and a general feeling that Swindon is in a the shade in terms of national profile and recognition. Radio 1 helped raise that profile very significantly with the Big Weekend. In fact, only yesterday I heard Edith Bowman mention Swindon and the Big Weekend several times - that's around six months after it happened. OK, as soon as next year's BW happens, it'll be THAT town that benefits, but in the meantime Swindon should be capitalising on the increased awareness and this new venue will hopefully do just that. If the venue does things properly, Swindon could see (literally) thousands of people per month coming into the town from other areas that would otherwise have had not reason whatsoever to come here. They will keep people employed a the new venue, will spend money in the pubs and takeaways that now essentially make up our entire town centre, they will pay for parking, they will use taxis, they will maybe book hotel rooms. This all adds up to the Big Weekend being a very savvy investment by the Council.
Some people in Swindon make my blood boil they can't see the wood for the trees.
moonraker
says...
9:07pm Tue 15 Sep 09
moonraker
says...
9:10pm Tue 15 Sep 09
Scott Thunes
says...
10:46pm Tue 15 Sep 09
Bobfm wrote:Bob, it is rumoured to have cost SBC around £1 million. I think an FOI request would be very enlightening.
BB71 I can tell from my own research that very few local entertainment venues benefited at all. Of all the stands etc at the event just 2 were Swindon based. The BBC bus in their own traders. Councillor Bluh clearly does not have a clue as to how local small retailers are struggling. This 1/2 million should have been used in rate support grants to business to ease the burden we all face, not to pay off God knows who. Perhaps he would like to say what the Councils debt was or do we have to do an FOIA request to get it, and who were the creditors owed this money. We were told it was a self funding event. So it seems we were lied to.
Mr Blackwell
says...
2:35am Wed 16 Sep 09
And yet the Lefties are still slating them. Absolutely brilliant.
Mr Blackwell
says...
2:40am Wed 16 Sep 09
Donkey wrote:Oh, I'm sure you're still whinging about motorists driving at 31mph past your house - regardless of where you're living now.
No, you are not up to date are you, Mr B? I have moved to the beautiful Dorset countryside just outside Swanage. Sadly, this Swindonian had to leave the old home town as it has been taken over by the 'institution'! The figure of the £500K xpenses residue is fact, whereas the £2M benefit is fiction old chap! I am not a 'failed' New Labour activist ... what am I doing on this and other comments boards ... slating the incompetents as ever, 'ey? Paul.
Although, if you're not even living in the county, I'm not entirely sure why you're concerned with how SBC spend our money (no longer your money).
I assume you consider your inane, hysterically pro-Labour ranting on here 'activism', but I was referring to your short-lived career as a failed Labour councillor, or whatever it was you were hoping to be.
Looks like a bad case of sour grapes on old Donkey's part.
anotherimigrant
says...
8:54am Wed 16 Sep 09
The council tell us that businesses have benefited from the Big Weekend: I will be asking to see evidence of this. And I will want to be convinced that the council will be working as hard as they can to support our local businesses in the future.
BB71
says...
9:34am Wed 16 Sep 09
BTW, Lily Allen, Kasabian, Dizzee Rascal, Scouting For Girls, Basement Jaxx - these are the big acts??? All one hit wonders - we'll see, if anybody talks aboput the Mega Acts in 2 years time ;-) I was talking Depeche Mode, U2, Tool, Metallica, Madonna, Sting, etc. - these are big act - even though I do not like Madonna or Sting, but these are Acts, that will still be around in 10-15 years time - and they all play/played Swindon?? When?? You showed, that you have no clue about Music and it's industry - and oh, I think the "Big Platic Weekend" did a lot for Swindon - NOT - see above!! It really seems, you life in a complete sheltered and enclosed environment - listening to Radio 1, watching Soaps, reading the Sun - you seem like one kind of a guy....
BB71
says...
10:22am Wed 16 Sep 09
Robh
says...
10:45am Wed 16 Sep 09
I would question however if this debt was genuine extra spending or simply creative accounting.
FSB Chairman
says...
10:57am Wed 16 Sep 09
anotherimigrant wrote:It is refreshing to see that someone has taken the time to actually find and understand my full and original statement.
The money referred to in the article was meant for spending on local businesses to help them get through what has been one of the most difficult periods in recent times. For even the best businesses a little help at the right time can make the difference between surviving or not. And with so many people employed by our local businesses and the contribution that they make to our economy and our communities, this will have a knock-on effect on a lot of people here.
The council tell us that businesses have benefited from the Big Weekend: I will be asking to see evidence of this. And I will want to be convinced that the council will be working as hard as they can to support our local businesses in the future.
In my position as chairman I had no option but to respond in the way I have but I would like to work towards a positive outcome for everyone especially bearing in mind all the good work my team have done with Swindon Borough Council over the past year to develop the Swindon Business Charter.
The Big Weekend was a magnificent feat for the Town and I applaud Rod Bluh and his team for the positive press the town received. Some bloggers on this site have misunderstood - this is not about whether the event was a good or bad idea it is merely a case of apportioning the right money to pay for it. As I understand it the business grant fund was not benchmarked for a cultural or arts event neither was meant for the Park and Ride.
Questioning a council decision does not make one a "leftie" , far from it and I look forward to continuing working alongside Swindon Borough Council in the future to carry on building a Swindon which is a prime location to conduct business in.
trustnopolitician
says...
11:20am Wed 16 Sep 09
"so don't even bother responding."
IMO - the biggest uneducated clown
Kineasy
says...
3:43pm Thu 17 Sep 09
Maybe the Adver should be asking this question under the Freedom of Information Act.
Purlieu
says...
9:35pm Thu 17 Sep 09
And how many small businesses / jobs not lost, would £498,000 have helped. Lots I'll wager.
Mr Bluh please explain to the next family man who loses his job in Swindon the rationale behind giving business support money away.
anotherimigrant
says...
9:55pm Thu 17 Sep 09
First you have to understand politicks. they say what they think you want to hear, then do what they decide they want. No mater wot it cost as you mugs will pay.
Look what me and my cousins get. If you notice most of my couzins drive fat mercedes or if poor with only one wife a bmw.
Asylum Seeker Households
The Government has contracted with private companies to provide accommodation and support for these families via the National Accommodation Support Services (NASS); and funding is not taken from the Councils budget.
Unaccompanied Asylum seekers up to the age of 18. 2007-2008
Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers (UAS), up to the age of 18, are supported by a Home Office grant. The maximum entitlement :
£105.34 per calendar day for those up to age 15.
£47.18 per calendar day for 16 and 17 year olds.
If the expenditure exceeds the maximum entitlement, Swindon Borough Council would be expected to meet those costs.
And they do to the tune of in 2007-2008 to private landlords where expenditure exceeded the Home Office grant/funding was £51,724.73.
This year we will send more home as the rate went up. sum times you too kind but Allah will thank you.
anotherimigrant
says...
10:05pm Thu 17 Sep 09
FSB Chairman wrote:Thank you for that, me and my friends think this country is great, AT LOOSEING MONEY.
anotherimigrant wrote: The money referred to in the article was meant for spending on local businesses to help them get through what has been one of the most difficult periods in recent times. For even the best businesses a little help at the right time can make the difference between surviving or not. And with so many people employed by our local businesses and the contribution that they make to our economy and our communities, this will have a knock-on effect on a lot of people here. The council tell us that businesses have benefited from the Big Weekend: I will be asking to see evidence of this. And I will want to be convinced that the council will be working as hard as they can to support our local businesses in the future.It is refreshing to see that someone has taken the time to actually find and understand my full and original statement. In my position as chairman I had no option but to respond in the way I have but I would like to work towards a positive outcome for everyone especially bearing in mind all the good work my team have done with Swindon Borough Council over the past year to develop the Swindon Business Charter. The Big Weekend was a magnificent feat for the Town and I applaud Rod Bluh and his team for the positive press the town received. Some bloggers on this site have misunderstood - this is not about whether the event was a good or bad idea it is merely a case of apportioning the right money to pay for it. As I understand it the business grant fund was not benchmarked for a cultural or arts event neither was meant for the Park and Ride. Questioning a council decision does not make one a "leftie" , far from it and I look forward to continuing working alongside Swindon Borough Council in the future to carry on building a Swindon which is a prime location to conduct business in.
As Inglish is not my first language all my cousins and uncles who have been hear for years could tell anyone how to make seriouse money on the side.
We lern quik and took leef out of your MP,s book.
They the rude ones.
We will rule one day, put money on it, I look after money for you, tell me wear you live and I come round for it.
Dont have agency work yet, but benifits good, can I still join FSB.
anotherimigrant
says...
11:58pm Thu 17 Sep 09
real -life says...
7:52am Tue 15 Sep 09
That pretty much sums up what is wrong with this Council, narrow minds who don't understand business at all. So it brought in £2m to a few lucky businesses (mainly hotel chains who arent local at all) in a one off event whereas a park and ride would have benefitted the town for years to come and probably generated 10 times that amount over time encouraging people into the town.
Too many decisions are made by this Council without looking at the bigger picture of what is best for the long term future of the Borough, but sadly thats politics for you. Its all about making a name for yourself while you can. As for using this money for this purpose, its totally disgraceful to treat the businesses of Swindon like that.