Report to Chamber of Commerce AGM

06/04/2009

Festive Chairman Martine Ellis presented to following report to the Chamber of Commerce

Festive Décor Annual Report for Chamber of Commerce AGM (1st April 2009)
 
Introduction

Festive Décor is 100% owned by the Chamber of Commerce therefore it is essential that formal 2 way communication occurs on a regular basis.  Perhaps historically this has not been the case, but starting this year stronger lines of communication will be established. We have agreed to report to Chamber Board of Directors quarterly, with the first report of the year being delivered me as Chairman.  The remaining 3 will be drafted by me but delivered in person by one of the Festive directors already present at the Chamber meeting.  We are also keen to report once a year to the Chamber members and the AGM seems to be the best possible forum.
 
One of the main reasons for improving formal limes of communication is the fact that we have formed a new Guernsey company, Limited by Guarantee, to replace the current company.  It is called Festive Décor (2009) and it will be renamed “Festive Décor” following completion of the transfer of assets and liabilities and the winding up of the old company. The introduction of new local company legislation, as well as regulations applying to Guernsey charities, have all been factors contributing to this considerable improvement in reporting.
 
About Festive

It is really not my intention to keep you from your dinner and wine for too long, so rather than give you a full history on Festive Décor, I strongly suggest that you check out our website www.guernseychristmaslights.com <http://www.guernseychristmaslights.com/> .  Suffice to say that Festive was, and still is, a Chamber initiative, whose purpose is to own, manage and fundraise for the St. Peter Port Christmas Lights.
 
Board of Director

Last year saw some major changes to the Festive team.
 
Following the restructuring of the Chamber office it was decided that Festive should appoint a treasurer and secretary – previously Chamber had fulfilled this role (although not in a formal capacity).  So Jo May was appointed as Secretary last year and Alex Margison is our new treasurer.
 
We also welcomed new directors to the Board:  Michelle Champion and Andrew Pinsard, representing the retail sector, were appointed following the departure of Terry Ferbrache, who’d served some 3 decades as part of the Festive team.  We also welcomed Esther Dodd (your current YBG President) and Rory Inglis who is a member of YBG council.
 
Lights

Following a successful fundraising campaign in 2007, during which we raised £60,000, we were able to purchase new lights for Christmas 2008.  The new lights were erected in Mill Street, The Market, Smith Street, Plaiderie, and a new canopy for Church Square.  The lights were supplied by MK Illumination as we have used their products previously.
 
MK provided us with 2 payment options for the new lights.  We could buy them outright, or hire them over a period of 3 years.  With the hire option we would have the opportunity to purchase them for a reduced price at the end of the term or replace them with a new scheme.  Also we could also build in a maintenance programme.  The committee decided that the hire option was best.
 
The 2008 installation, coordinated by my Vice Chairman Simon Ellis, and it took 6 (long) Sundays plus extra time spent on repairs once the lights were on.  MK came over to help with putting up the new lights for 3 of those Sunday’s, however it is anticipated that we will not need to use them next year as we are keen to keep costs to a minimum.   It is fair to say that the new lights do take longer to put up as they are strings of lights as opposed to large motifs. However we hope you’ll agree that the extra effort is worth it.
 
In 2008 the Festive volunteers were helped by the Young Business Group, the Probation Service and a number of States employees, in putting up and taking down the lights. As in previous years, YBG did a fantastic job of coordinating Switch On Day.  Festive also continues to receive valuable administrative support from the Chamber office.
 
Fundraising

Fundraising is always a major challenge for us despite our best efforts to educate the public.  There always seems to be some negativity surrounding the necessity to fund the Christmas lights (“the States should pay for them” etc.)   2008 was made even more difficult as retailers and other potential donors felt the effect of the economic downturn.  That said, I think that our activity in 2007, namely establishing the Friends of the Lights campaign brand (widening fundraising so that we didn’t have to rely 100% on retailers) and working with our major sponsor Generali, put us in a slightly better position.  

Donations Received

o  Total 2008 - £42,045.50 (includes Generali £10,000)
o  Total 2007 - £59,997.53 (includes Generali £30,000) 

The plan for 2009

Our plans for 2009 is to hopefully purchase new lights for High Street Pollet and lower Pollet be this will be decided once a budget has been set for 2009 following a break down of the 2008 costs.    If we are able to proceed as planned we will set up a “new lights sub committee” to co-ordinate designs and costs.