THE council has a bigger budget for next year’s Poole Maritime Festival after reporting a successful event this summer.

The borough was only able to allocate £19,000 to this year’s event, with additional funds brought in from sponsors for its four-day business event.

The maritime festival, which was held in June, also included Poole Harbour Boat Show and a number of other public events such as Harry Paye day and free watersports sessions.

The council’s business programme featured conferences, workshops, talks, and presentations on all aspects of the maritime industry in Poole.

Julian McLaughlin, head of growth and infrastructure at Poole council, has written a report on the planned budget for next year’s Poole Maritime Festival (PMF).

Cllr Mohan Iyengar, portfolio holder for economic growth, has been asked to authorise a £35,000 budget for the event. “The sponsorship and income secured against the business programme in 2018 has delivered an underspend that will help to prime PMF on a similar basis for next year,” Mr McLaughlin said in his report.

The £35,000 budget has been generated from a £19,464 underspend from this year’s event, plus £16,000 from previous unspent reserves.

Mr McLaughlin said the festival was a “success with positive feedback from partners and attendees”. It “also allowed Poole to showcase the town nationally and internationally, whilst giving local business an economic boost”, he said.

He added: “PMF 2019 has the potential to build on the great work, brand and networks created in 2018 and grow Poole’s reputation as a hub for maritime excellence.

“The proposed date for PMF 2019 in June means that the new council will be in place, however a decision needs to be taken by Borough of Poole to ensure the effective planning and delivery of the event. Following the delivery of this event in 2019, the new Council will then be able to consider its overall event priorities and programme for future years.”