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V26-1224 : CELEBRATING THE MILLENNIUM

The report of the Director of Community Services provided information regarding the Council's current position relating to celebrations for the New Millennium.

The report proposed that the allocated £30,000 budget, approved at minute V25-1575, should be directed towards a year long `East Point New Millennium Festival', the extent of which would be more accurately determined when the outcome of matching funding from the Millennium Festival Commission was known in February 1998. Since preparing the agenda and following an interview with the Commission this project had advanced to the next stage following shortlisting.

Commission bids had also been shortlisted for a `New Millennium Carnival of Light' and `Wellington New Millennium Gardens' and these had been supported by the Council. The `Wellington New Millennium Gardens' proposal was to refurbish and enhance the area with a high degree of floral display and public art throughout the year. The `New Millennium Carnival of Light' would replace the usual Lowestoft Carnival in August and would attract national and international floats from across Europe.

In addition to the above it was proposed that a number of projects/events currently in planning should proceed. These were as follows:

(a) a New Millennium Green in Britten Road, adjacent to Coppice Court; (b) first day commemorative covers from the Town Hall Post Office;
(c) lighting Millennium Beacons across the country, with associated events; (d) Millennial themed events in the Triangle Market/High Street area;
(e) collating and distributing of information to residents and visitors.

Negotiations had been held with a company proposing to hold a `Millennium Dawn Concert' on Royal Green, Lowestoft. It would include a newly commissioned orchestral concert, conducted by a known personality, and other music, fireworks and effects. It was suggested that the Concert should only proceed if the Company could demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Director, in consultation with the Chairman, that it could achieve its stated scale and ambition.

Contact had also been made with the Millennium Experience Company in respect of the `Our Town in the Millennium Dome' concept. This would now be on a County basis and contact had been made with the County's Education Officer, who was leading this initiative. Members emphasised the need to ensure that all districts within Suffolk were represented and that particular focus was given to the unique geographical position of the most easterly point.
An approach had been received from the sculptor Stephen Vince, who had carried out an exhibition in Lowestoft three years ago, offering a 120 feet high sculpture based on a lattice work leaping herring figure at Lowestoft Ness which could be constructed by the New Millennium. At this initial stage there were many details outstanding and before proceeding further the Sub-Committee's views were sought. Members considered that this was an extremely important issue and as such should be deferred to the Policy and Resources Committee for determination.

On a final point there had been dispute as to when and where the New Millennium would occur. General opinion was that the Meridian Line, based on Greenwich Mean Time, was the geographical point from which time, and hence the start of the New Millennium was based. Other opinion suggested that Lowestoft, being east of GMT, would receive the New Millennium some minutes before the rest of the country. Others claims made the New Millennium Dawn the most significant event which would occur at South Foreland Point, outside Dover. Members wished to see further research on this issue.

RECOMMENDED

1. That the programme of grant bids and events currently in planning, be approved and adopted as the Council's official event programme for the New Millennium.

2. That consideration of Stephen Vince's landmark sculpture proposal be deferred to the Policy and Resources Committee.

3. That the planned Millennium Dawn Concert Company be given until 5 February 1999 to confirm to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Chairman, that they are able to proceed with their project.

4. That the implications and potential of commencing celebrations at "Local Time" be further researched.

The meeting was concluded at 6.55pm.

Chairman

MILLENNIUM SUB-COMMITTEE - 17/12/98

MILLENNIUM SUB-COMMITTEE - 17/12/98

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Volume 26 Minute 1223

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