The River Festival is a marvellous event for Maidstone, but the borough council is not going to spend any money to support it.

That was the gist of a decision by the borough’s policy and resources committee on Wednesday.

Members were asked to review an earlier finding by the heritage, culture and leisure committee stating the council would support an event, in July.

Members heard first from Mark Smurthwaite, chairman of the Medway River Users Association, who pointed out the borough’s own policies were to make the most use of the river.

Asking for it to support the festival he said: “There is no request for any funding as sponsorship has been offered by a number of businesses and individuals in the town.”

But Cllr Matthew Burton (Con), who called in the earlier decision, said while he would support in principle the return of a family-friendly festival: “We have a responsibility to consider the costs to the taxpayer.”

Cllr Louise Brice (Con) said she had “fully enjoyed” past events which had “been a rite of passage for many young people”, but she was reluctant to lend support without first seeing a business plan.

The greater cost of clearing up was raised by Cllr Marion Ring (Con) because it was proposed to hold the riverside celebration on the same day Ramblin Man Fair in Mote Park – which the street cleansing team was already committed to.

Cllr Martin Cox (Lib Dem), himself a former chairman of the river festival committee, said: “It’s a fantastic event, but it needs to be prepared in good time and we need to see a budget.”

Cllr Fay Gooch (Ind) proposed a motion that: “The council will be pleased to consider a proposal for a River Festival or regatta when organisers provide a fully prepared and costed events plan, which must be cost neutral to the council.”

It was passed unanimously.

After the meeting, Cllr Dave Naghi (Lib Dem), who is pushing for the festival to go ahead, said organisers would submit the plan. “There will be a festival,” he promised.