THOUSANDS of pounds has been spent by Aylesbury Town Council on its biggest event of the year, Proms in the Park, a freedom of information request has revealed.
Aylesbury resident Marco Dias, 32, says he was ‘shocked’ at the £41,250.75 spent on the ‘traditional open air proms concert’ held in a rain-soaked Vale Park on August 27.
Mr Dias, who is originally from Portugal, has since uncovered the costs and revenue of Proms in the Park for 2022 and 2023 with a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
The FOI disclosure reveals that this year’s event – part of the Parklife Weekend attended by 13,000 people – cost £6,000 more than last year’s event, which cost £34,960.41.
A total of £32,132.53 – the majority of this year’s expenses – went on infrastructure, including a viewing platform, staging, barriers, generators, lighting, marquees, toilets and other items.
Meanwhile, £3,500 was spent on bands, fireworks and comperes, £4,266.72 on health and safety, £961.50 on marketing and communications, and £390 was paid to Buckinghamshire Council for the use of Vale Park.
The total event cost of this year’s Proms in the Park was £39,503.25 after money raised from food and drink sales, ‘festival consumables’, advertising and other items were deducted.
Mr Dias, who has lived in Aylesbury for 18 years, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that he left Proms in the Park after 20 or 30 minutes before watching the closing firework display from his nearby flat.
He said: “I went to the celebration. I live right next to it. I could hear it from my flat. I was disappointed by what was put on.
“Council tax has gone up and I was quite shocked to see how much money it was.”
Mr Dias watched an Aylesbury Concert Band and soloists perform music from Disney films including Pirates of the Caribbean.
He said: “They didn’t spend that much on the band, and I think it showed. They spent so much money on the platform for the Mayor to have a view. It’s not really in the spirit of things.”
Council Leader, Cllr Richard Lloyd told the LDRS: “Aylesbury Town Council is proud to provide free-to-attend, accessible, community and family-friendly events each year.”
He added: “At this year’s event, 114 individual businesses, charities and organisations benefitted from being part of the Town Council-led event.”
In addition, a comment from the Proms in the Park event survey read: “This is such a wonderful event, and we are lucky to have this for our town.
“All the access for disabled and less able people was inspiring. Well done to everyone involved, can’t think of anything to improve.”
Mr Dias’ FOI request also revealed that the Council has spent £5,000 on fireworks this year – £2,000 for Proms in the Park and £3,000 for Christmas on the Cobbles, an event that first took place last year.
He said: “My friends have all got animals and it always upsets them. Cats and dogs hate fireworks.
“I saw them from my flat and they weren’t that great. It’s just a waste of money. They were quite basic.”
Cllr Lloyd said: “Events such as Proms in the Park and Christmas on the Cobbles bring business to the town and showcase Aylesbury. It allows the diverse communities an opportunity to celebrate together.”
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