Youth Beatz funding up for debate

Early discussions are underway between Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Scottish Government about a high profile role for the free festival during the Year of Young People in 2018.
The local authority’s business manager Colin Holmes said: “The national themed years are a Scottish
Government priority.
“Discussions around the event becoming a signature event for 2018 are due to the regard that the event is held within Dumfries and Galloway and across Scotland.”
Meanwhile, future funding for Youth Beatz will be discussed by councillors next week.
Members of Nithsdale Area Committee will on Wednesday decide whether to once again give a £54,000 grant, or cut the allocation by up to 20 per cent.
But, officials have warned that a large reduction could have an impact on the “sustainability of the event”.
In a report for the committee, Mr Holmes said: “In order to keep the event as accessible to young people as possible, it is proposed Youth Beatz remains free of charge.”
And he added: “An exercise to review all costs associated with the event confirmed that the majority of costs are safety related or related to infrastructure that is needed to protect the environment of the Dock Park, and in 2015 efficiency savings of around three per cent were achieved.” The eighth festival took place in August at Dock Park and cost £111, 293 to stage. It included a week of fringe events, followed by a main show day with performances from pop stars James Arthur and Cascada.
It involved 107 volunteers and was attended by 9945 people, with 1423 people supporting fringe events, including roller discos, talent show, fun day, mountain biking, laser tag, which cumulatively had a £12,000 pricetag.
Demand for the 12,000 free tickets exceeded expectations and 65 per cent of them went to Nithsdale residents.