BELOW ARE 10 EXAMPLES OF YOUR VIEWS ON THE APPOINTMENT OF AN EVENTS ORGANISER FOR MIDDLEWICH. WE WILL NOT PUBLISH YOUR IDENTITY DUE TO OUR PROMISE OF CONFIDENTUALITY IN THIS RESIDENTS FORUM.

(1)
I would like to say that when I read this article in the paper I was disgusted. I have never been asked for any opinion as to whether I would like an Events organiser, and I don't think one is needed. It is absolutely appalling to read through the paper that your council tax is having to go up to support a local job that I don't even want. We already have a committee who organise the folk and boat festival and they've done a pretty good job so far without the need to pay £25000 to someone else.

I think Middlewich First are forgetting to put Middlewich residents first and they are doing what they want........just one question......how many of Middlewich first councillors and are interested in or care about what the residents think.....None by the looks of things.

If that kind of money is available, lets put it into the Bypass pot, that'll help get more visitors to the amphitheatre and roman sites without clogging us up anymore and that should please them!!!

(2)
I am totally disgusted with Middlewich Town Council, why should Middlewich residents pay for this organiser when it is only a tiny percentage that have anything to do with the folk festival, it seems to me that it is self interest with people is driving our council.

(3)
I generally support the views expressed therein. I think it is particularly important that the position carries targets, with the continuation of the post being reliant upon results. I understand that the Boat & Folk festival has recently made a loss, and returning this to profit would be a good yard-stick.

Whilst I do not dispute the need for an events organiser, provided they are effective, I think that the creation of other posts in Middlewich would be of more benefit. The appointment of a high-profile, charismatic individual who could bring well paid, skilled jobs to the town would be of more benefit to the prosperity of the community.

(4)
As a commercial events and marketing manager I know a lot of organisations (often not-for-profit) who run serious event programmes staffed on a lot less than £25k. A council tax rise to fund this without consultation is shocking.

It is questionable whether we receive value for money out of the current council tax rate.

A lot of the publicised potential projects in Middlewich appear to be delayed by the requirement for private investments. Events offer a time fixed project that if run correctly can add additional to delegates/attendees whilst being financially supported (and profit making) by companies wishing to raise there profile with that particular group of people.

I am very interested to hear how the requirements, budget and selection process for this vacancy was handled. I would also be interested in the seeing the business model and would be happy to offer thoughts

My first thoughts are 'why an events organiser'. A lot of local authorities have event management capabilities through an inward investment programme. Could the role have a wider remit of inward investment and promotion through business development? Providing the management and logistical support to planned events, generating revenue for these events which in turn will encourage more understanding about why people live and do business in Middlewich and therefore creating and capitalising on other commercial opportunities. This intelligence and capabilities could add additional commercial weight to the ongoing debates we all read about

(5)
Moneys generated from the events should pay for ALL the admin. Why should we (as residents) subsidies this? And if the event can't earn the money how can it be said to be of benefit to the community?

(6)
I am disgusted that I will be paying for events I may never attend; I don’t go to the Folk & Boat festival because it does not interest me at all. I went once and to see people with painted faces, bells on their toes and dressed up like god knows what, this just does not appeal to me.

And as I am a one parent family and struggle on what little money I get, I am very angry that I will be paying out money for something I never agreed to or will ever attend; shame on you town councillors for taking food out of my sons mouth.

(7)
We should have been consulted about the appointment of an Events Organiser and put to some form of public vote. I know most of the Town Councillors and know their intentions would have been what they thought they were doing the best for the town. But they should have consulted the residents and maybe they would have still got a yes do it, but I think most residents would still have said NO they see no reason for the appointment.

But, to add an increase on my council tax is just not acceptable no matter what they thought their intentions were. I should have had a say on what I want to pay for and maybe I might go to one or two of these events, but it is just that I was not consulted and may never attend but still pay for it.

(8)
To say I am angry is an understatement, I voted for Middlewich First because they seemed to have the best interest of the town when they knocked on my door. I didn’t see any other candidates for any other party and they talked about what they were going to do for the residents of Middlewich.

And as I can see no achievements to date by Middlewich First, I am even more annoyed that I have to pay for something that I don’t want to pay for. It also seems that there is a click amongst our town councillors and I am a little concerned about just how close they are?

(9)
Why should I have to pay for events in Middlewich that I will never attend? Why was I not consulted on this proposed appointment? And would the money be better spent on our children or the elderly of Middlewich?

(10)
I have lived in Middlewich all my life, I was born in Middlewich, I got married in Middlewich and my children go to school in Middlewich. And I have only ever once gone to the Folk & Boat Festival and was just not my cup of tea.

I question the appointment made by our town council? I know that Dave Thompson the appointed events organiser was involved with the Folk & Boat Festival, but so are our town councillors. This appointment seems to be a little to close for comfort and seems to me to be a job made for one of the boys. I say this because 90% of our councillors are friends and I only see Fred Smith to be the one outsider (No insult intended Fred if you read this)

So how can we as residents trust a group of councillors who are to close for comfort? Because when it comes to voting for something they want it will pass through with ease and if you are not in the group your vote wont count. We need more town councillors who are not in the little circle of friends and maybe then we as residents would be properly represented……. (Events Organiser, I am angered by this appointment and to me it seems like nepotism)