A NEW outdoor festival could be heading to Promenade Park this year.

Maldon District Council is proposing to invest £35,000 to fund a new festival type event to feature at the park this summer.

The proposal has been requested by members as part of the council’s operating budget for the 2018/19 financial year.

The proposal will be considered by all members at a council meeting on Thursday.

The idea has grown after last year saw the hugely successful debut of the Maldon Smoke and Fire Festival in August last year, which is set to return again this year on August 16 and 17.

The budget report said: “A proposal has been looked into which would add another weekend event and an interlinking week of activity in August. The reason for this is the infrastructure required for Smoke and Fire could be utilised for more activities.

“The proposal is for a one or two day music event (small scale) on the weekend proceeding or the weekend after Smoke and Fire. Marquee accommodation will also be provided throughout the linking week.”

The £35,000 budget for the new event would be provisional, with any shortfalls in funding being found through sponsorship.

The idea behind the project would be to utilise Promenade Park as a leading location in the district for popular and inclusive events, and that funds would be made back through savings and other event sponsorship, so as not to charge the taxpayer.

There are no other details on what the event would be at this stage.

Other one off projects which are set to be included in the new budget include upgrading many car parking ticket machines in Promenade Park and the town centre to 4G, meaning they would be faster and take contactless card payments.

Additionally, the council are proposing to offer a 15 per cent salary supplement to bring in more officers and senior staff to the planning department.

This is due to a national shortage in planning officers, and the council needing to stand out amongst the many other district and borough councils in Essex also seeking more planning staff.