Mela and Proms support at risk as budgets dwindle
A council report looking at Maidstone’s major festivals recommends charging for Proms in the Park and developing a new multi-cultural celebration to replace the Mela.
Maidstone council sets aside money and staff time to stage the two events, but says dwindling budgets means this support is now at risk.
In a report from Dawn Hudd, head of commercial and economic development, savings ideas are spelt out.
While she recommends the council continues to support Proms, ticket prices should be introduced to alleviate the £14,000 cost, of musical afternoon, held in Whatman Park.
No figure has been settled on, but the range discussed is £5-10 per person.
The report also advocates the council developing a new multicultural event and food festival replacing the Mela, which this year was held in the town centre rather than at Mote Park. The move sparked a vocal backlash.
The report suggests appointing an external provider to host it with the council contributing a reducing subsidy over three years, intending it to become self-financing from fees charged to stallholders.
When the Mela was last held in Mote Park in 2015 it cost the borough £18,000 in grants.
The report said of the Mela: “This required a complete review given the drift away from original objectives, current budget challenges and the lack of internal resources at Maidstone council. Delivering the 2015 event was extremely challenging and was pushed over budget with increased costs staging, infrastructure and stewarding and reduced income from stalls.”
Ms Hudd added the name Mela was “either not understood or associated with one ethnic group rather than recognised as a multi-cultural festival.”
The results of a council-run survey into its future showed out of 925 respondents, 435 people had visited the Mela.
From this 230 people told the council it should be held in a park. There were 87 people specifically saying Mote Park, 82 backed the town centre and 52 people suggested more than one site.
It is expected Maidstone council will continue to contract out Mote Park for two large independently-organised festivals – Ramblin Man and the Big Day Out. The report said these made a significant contribution to the parks and leisure budgets.
Members of the Heritage, Culture and Leisure Committee will consider the report on Tuesday