The number of events funded by the council in Caerphilly is set to be cut, or even scrapped entirely, under plans being drawn up by the local authority.
The county borough council is reviewing its events programme after the authority received its worst ever draft Welsh Government settlement.
Proposals to be discussed next week include ending funding for events which do not generate an increase of at least 30% footfall.
This would result in continued support for the three “regionally significant events” – the Big Cheese, Caerphilly Food Festival and Caerphilly Medieval Market.
Cash would also continue to be provided for Christmas markets in Blackwood, Ystrad Mynach and Bargoed, as well as Risca’s Summer Music in the Park.
However, funding would be scrapped for Risca Parade and Christmas Market, The Big Screen, Bargoed Spring Fair, Caerphilly Lantern Parade, Blackwood Summer Festival and St David’s Day.
A council report says this would lead to savings of £47,494.
Under the plans, the council’s events team would continue to offer advice and guidance to community and town councils that wish to continue funding and running events.
A council report states: “It is a requirement for the council to set a balanced budget and in this regard, Caerphilly has just received its worst draft Welsh Government settlement since its inception in 1996.
“The review of the events programme is therefore one of a number of fundamental service reviews that will need to be undertaken if the council is to set a balanced budget for 2019/20 and beyond.”
Two other options are also on the table.
One is for all of the community events plus one of the regional tourism events to no longer be provided, saving £94,000.
The third option is to recommend ending the events programme in its entirety, apart from offering advice and guidance to community and town councils.
This would save £125,902 and additional staff savings would also follow.
The report says a number of actions will need to be taken to make the future events programme more affordable and sustainable.
These include contributions from community and town councils, events reducing costs, sponsorship opportunities and working with partners to support events as opposed to the council being the main organiser.
Money could also be saved by reducing the number of events that are held over multiple days, the report says.