A NEW way of organising big crowd-pulling events in Chester to further boost the city’s economy will be considered by council leaders on Thursday.

Members of the Executive will be asked to approve a new structure to tackle the issues of ‘fragmentation, overlap and role confusion’ highlighted by the Urban Land Institute study.

And the proposed changes will also provide a basis for delivering and co-ordinating a major programme of commercial investment, events, festivals, marketing and city management.

On regeneration, a reconstituted Chester Renaissance Board will work with the council as guardians of the One City Plan – commissioning and co-ordinating its delivery by public, private and voluntary sector agencies - but not seeking to deliver projects itself.

The board - which will include private sector and elected member cross-party representation - will secure community and business engagement through the creation of a One City Stakeholder Forum.

The many council sponsored and supported agencies are brought together into a simplified structure with accountability for delivering the programme under the clearly defined headings of managing, animating, marketing and developing the city and seeking inward investment.

Councillor Herbert Manley, executive member for prosperity, said: “The ULI told us that there were ‘too many organisations with overlapping agendas where the overlapping roles are not clear’. This, they said, created confusion, competition and inaction.

“Other factors like the demise of the NWDA with a subsequent loss of core funding for the Renaissance programme and a downturn in public sector funding have made change necessary.

“We must respond decisivley to maintain the momentum of the One City Plan.”

Professor Steve Broomhead, chairman of Chester Rennaissance, and council representatives will interview short-listed candidates for board membership next month (October).

The Executive will also be recommended to approve a new policy governing the co-ordination and £600,000 - plus funding of the borough’s growing programme of events - around 1500 in 2010-11.

At present development and delivery is complicated by the nature and number of events; the range of organisations currently involved and the challenge of measuring their wider impact.

But it is recommended that from 2012, arts events and festival funding for Chester will be on an up to three year contract basis agreed with one operator as a result of a competitive procurement process.

And requests for financial support would be considered by a commissioning panel involving council officers, external partners and representatives from the culture, community and business sectors.

Councillor Stuart Parker, executive member, culture and recreation, said: “Many of the events supported by the authority have been highly successful and enhanced the profile of the council and borough.

“However, there has been some inconsistency and a lack of clarity regarding the delivery and funding of events.

“Also, a lack of strategic context has led to a varied portfolio not co-ordinated as effectively as it could be - or measured against the contribution to the council’s priorities. “

Added Councillor Parker: “We seek to end confusion and perceived duplication with a streamlined and simplified system that will also maximise the council’s substantial investment.

“Whether the successful provider is a combination of existing organisations or a new bidder, our vision will be to ensure a ambitious programme of high quality innovative events across the borough that supports the social, economic and cultural aspirations of the council and its partners.”