Brasenose HCR General Meeting 29 Nov 2023

Ball Funding

Request for extra funding for the Brasenose 2024 Ball.

The HCR notes that:

The biennial Brasenose Ball is planned to take place in May 2024. In the past, the JCR and HCR have together provided a grant and underwriting for the ball. For the last ball, the HCR gave £2000 and underwrote by £7225 (1/3 of 20% of the budget). Inflation has been very high since the last ball and so rising costs have significantly affected the finances of the Ball. As a consequence, ticket prices have had to increase by 17.4% for Brasenose students who are not dining, and all other increases are in the range 16.0-18.1%. College have asked us to come to the JCR and HCR to request grants and underwriting from the committees. To the nearest £5, 20% of the budget for the 2024 Ball is £25,560. Already, similar motions to this have been approved by the JCR which have given a grant of £4000 and an underwriting of £17,040.

The HCR believes that:

The purpose of underwriting is to guarantee payment in case of loss or damages. That is very unlikely to occur due to College's financial oversight of the Ball. The historical popularity of the Brasenose Ball means that we are expecting to sell all available tickets quickly. The HCR underwriting the Ball is necessary for the Ball to take place, per College's demand. The Ball should be an all-inclusive event, where all members of the college should be able to attend regardless of their financial situation. The Ball Committee has done everything they can to protect students from undue costs in order to attend the ball so far. Without additional income, Brasenose Ball 2024 does not have sufficient finances at this current stage to progress further without increasing ticket prices more than the 17.4% they already have, which will further harm the inclusive culture the Ball aims to promote. Everyone should follow the Ball on Instagram - @bncball2024 ;)

The HCR resolves to:

Underwrite the Brasenose Ball 2024 by £8,520 Also, provide a grant of £2000 from the HCR to the Ball, with a view to pay the grant back if financially possible. In recognition of this grant, members of Brasenose’s HCR will be offered discounted tickets to Brasenose Ball 2024 as well as preventing further price increases that will come at the expense of only the students the Ball aims to serve.

Proposed by: Seconded by: Josie Wells, Kate Leadbetter Alex Roberts