Welsh councils show their commitment to long-term funding of Royal Welsh
20 July 2009
A funding agreement between the WLGA and the Royal Welsh Show is helping to secure a stable and sustainable future for Wales’ biggest agricultural event, while easing the financial burden on each year’s host authority.
In 2008, the WLGA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, an agreement that was consolidated today during the Royal Welsh official opening. The WLGA formally presented a financial contribution to the Show for this year which consists of an annual contribution from each individual authority.
Cllr John Davies (Pembrokeshire), WLGA leader said:
“Previously, the cost of hosting the Royal Welsh Show to a local authority was in the region of £60-80k. This was a big financial burden and often came as unexpected hit for the host authority. This cost has been significantly reduced as a result of developing a more strategic and coherent approach to local authorities’ presence at the Show and subsequently spreading the cost across Wales.
Since 2008, every local authority has agreed to equally share the financial burden of the Show meaning that there is no longer any financial impediment to being a host authority and in principle every local authority can now host the event.
This approach is demonstrative of local government’s commitment to the Making the Connections agenda and shows local authorities’ success at working collaboratively. At a time when there is growing pressure on public finances, it shows that local government can use its resources effectively and efficiently. Furthermore, the prospect of being the “featured county” at the Royal Welsh Show carries huge benefits for all the promotional, media and showcasing opportunities that it provides.”
The proposed local government contribution to the Royal Welsh Show is funded on the basis of a flat rate contribution of around £3.5k from each participating authority. This would raise around £77k which would cover the contribution of the host authority.
Since 2008, the WLGA has had a permanent presence at the Royal Welsh Showground. The Local Government Pavilion is located on Avenue E, Plot 390 on the Royal Welsh Showground (opposite the NFU building).