The latest meeting of the UK Leading Bands Forum (UKLBF) recently saw 16 of its 18 member bands discuss numerous issues.

The Forum states that it works in cooperation with decision makers at all levels on areas of mutual benefit directly affecting the current and future promotion and development of major contests and events.

Rising costs

On this occasion it looked at the rising costs of competitive performances and stated that some of these were becoming 'increasingly unsustainable'.

Members agreed to curate cost data from bands at different levels to enable the Forum to present with event organisers in "collaborative discussions on how to better support bands."

Also explored were collaborative ways in which bands could diversify income streams "to help build more sustainable financial structures in an ever-expensive world." It was envisaged looking at funding models from other countries and passive income solutions.

Policies

A discussion also centred on the need to regularly update child protection, vulnerable adults, women's safety, wellbeing and mental health policies, with the view to "implement such policies with a real intention to make our bands safer."

The Forum stated that the discussion "underscored the urgency of implementation and compliance in all regions (such as DBS checks for all members and implementation of mental health policies), regardless of legal requirements."

the discussion "underscored the urgency of implementation and compliance in all regions (such as DBS checks for all members and implementation of mental health policies), regardless of legal requirements"UKLBF

Spring Festival and British Open

The move of the British Open Spring Festival from Blackpool to Birmingham and its cost implications was also discussed.

The Forum stated; "Whilst grateful to the contest organiser's for their consideration of futureproofing the contest and also for the information on reduced rates for hotels, affected Forum members did flag an issue with not being given the correct discount codes by the organisers."

They added: "That research from competing bands had shown that these deals were not cost effective, and that availability was limited due to other events in the city over the bank holiday weekend."

The Forum also confirmed that it had followed up with the British Open Contest organisers regarding its previous request from the majority of its members to announce the identity of adjudicators in advance.

Foum members

UK Leading Bands Forum:
Aldbourne; Black Dyke; Brighouse & Rastrick; Carlton Main Frickley Colliery; Cory; EverReady; Flowers; Foden's; Friary Brass; Grimethorpe Colliery; GUS; Hammonds; KNDS Fairey; Leyland; Rothwell Temperance; the cooperation band; Tredegar; Whitburn.