Decision details

1.

Title of Item/Report

2025 Event Summary and 2026 Memorial Lighting Calendar

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report that provided an overview of the Council’s 2025 Events Programme, combining events delivered directly by the Council’s Events Service, with commercial and community-led events delivered by third parties but supported or hosted by the Council.

The report also included details of the large-scale events delivered in 2025, including the Council’s signature event Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF), which continued to receive very positive feedback from visitors and residents. Large-scale events contributed an estimated £2 million to the local economy in 2025.

The Stockton & Darlington Railway Bicentenary Festival featured some of the largest events in the Borough in 2025, including the spectacular Ghost Train show. The report included some information about the S&DR Festival, but as that event extends into the spring of 2026, a separate, full report on the S&DR Bicentenary would be presented to Cabinet in 2026.

As was customary, the report also provided the suggested Memorial Lighting Calendar for 2026.

RESOLVED that:-

1. The success of the 2025 events programme be noted.

2. The memorial lighting calendar for 2026 be approved and that any in year changes to the lighting calendar be delegated to Director of Community Services, Environment and Culture.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

This report gives members information about the impact of events staged during the year, to inform and assist the development future policy in relation to events. The report also provides a list of the campaigns or anniversaries that it is suggested we support using our controllable urban lighting, to enable the decision to be taken by Cabinet to formally endorse these campaigns.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight, 23 January 2026 for recommendation 2 only.