Despite frantic attempts by Lib Dem and Labour Councillors to block a discussion on the Blues Festival at the Pendle Council meeting held on Thursday, 30th September, the Conservatives ensured the topic was discussed.
The Conservatives have pushed to secure the long term future of the Blues Festival through a charitable trust run by local people and businesses, removing the politics and putting the control back into the hands of the public.
This gives local people a boost in their bid to save the Blues ahead of the public meeting set to be held on the 12th October at the Colne Muni.
Cllr Nadeem Ahmed, Leader of Pendle Council said, “This is an important first step in securing the long term future of the Blues Festival for years to come. Now the people of Pendle can go to the public meeting on the 12th October, knowing full well that the Conservative-run Pendle Council is on their side, and demand to have control of their Festival given back to them in the form of a charitable trust. Discussions can now begin with local people and businesses to establish this trust. I was frankly aghast at the attempts to stop this important topic being discussed, the naked bid to win yet more cash for the Town Council that gave up on The Blues in favour of a nebulous, cut price Summer Music Festival, the smokescreen that somehow the Tories must be to blame for this sorry state of affairs and finally, the way the opposition parties all sat on their hands while we secured a firm future for the Borough’s nationally renowned Blues Festival. ”
Colne Conservative Cllr, Kieran McGladdery, who brought forward the motion, said: “Despite increasingly desperate attempts to derail us by Lib Dem and Labour Councillors, we discussed the Blues and fought for local people to have the support they need to take back control of their Festival. I look forward to working with them to establish a secure, long term future for this iconic Festival. I would encourage anybody who wants to achieve the same to attend the public meeting at 7 p.m. at Colne Muni on 12th October.”
The following motion was passed at that meeting:
The iconic Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival has been a staple event in Pendle for over 30 years. Almost every year since its creation, we have seen tens of thousands of people flock to Colne Town Centre, enjoying the music and helping to boost the local economy.
Following the unexpected cancellation of the Blues Festival by the Lib Dem controlled Colne Town Council, without consulting the public, the outcry from both the public and local businesses has been massive. A petition was setup almost immediately by a member of the public and within days it has been signed by over 5,000 people.
Given the public outcry, the Council resolves to:
1. Immediately contact Colne Town Council seeking urgent clarification on their intentions for the 2022 Blues Festival.
2. Urgently investigate options for Pendle Borough Council to assist the delivery of the Blues Festival in 2022.
3. Work with the public and local businesses, to establish a charitable trust which can take on the Festival in the coming years, protecting the Festival’s long-term future.
4. Request Colne Town Council transfer the copyright of the name of the Festival to Pendle Borough Council until such a time that the Charitable Trust can be established, and the naming rights be transferred to them.
5. Request that control of the mailing list and website for the Blues Festival be transferred to Pendle Borough Council, until a trust is established.
6. Ask Officers to investigate if the Blues Festival qualifies for funding from the Government’s Additional Restrictions Grant, NESTA Cultural Impact Development Fund, Arts Council England National Lottery Projects Grants, Culture Recovery Fund: Emergency Resource Support, Music for All - Community Project Funding and PRS Foundation - Open Fund for Organisations and prepare applications if the “New Blues” meets the criteria of these funds and others.
7. Ask Officers to investigate if any of the millions of pounds of funding given to the Council from the Government to tackle Covid and aid recovery, would be available to help deliver the Blues Festival should Pendle Council be required to deliver the Festival in 2022.