Council agrees to fund winding up of Highland Festival

Members of the Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee were asked to note that The Highland Festival Company has effectively ceased trading. They were also asked, in partnership with Inverness Nairn Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (INBSE) and the Scottish Arts Council (SAC), to approve the release of £20,000 of previously approved Council grant aid to enable the Festival Company to wind up its debts. The Council’s £20,000, comprises one third of the necessary £60,000 needed to wind up the Highland Festival, the other £40,000 comprising £20,000 each from INBSE and the SAC.

Members were also asked to give approval for Highland Council Officers working with other agencies and local organisations to consider the future possibility of an Inner Moray Firth Festival. Approval was granted for Council Officers to proceed with these considerations.

Approval was also granted to a suggestion made by Councillor Jean Urquhart that the future considerations of an Inner Moray Firth Festival should include a seminar with the Promoters Art Network.

The committee also agreed that training should be provided for Councillors who sit as Board members or Board directors of companies external to the Council covering a variety of aspects including legal and financial liabilities and responsibilities of representing companies.

For further information please contact: Ian Murray, Head of Community Learning and Leisure, The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service: tel: (01463) 702048