Agenda item
Commercial Activities in Parks (CAB 099/101)
Decision:
Resolved:
1. That the number of commercial and non-commercial event days in Victoria Park (excluding 2012) be restricted to ten days or less where this can be achieved whilst still securing income targets. This limit to exclude events such as charity fun-runs;
2. That the Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture be instructed to explore the possibility of reducing the number of commercial event days for 2011;
3. That the current closing time (11.00pm) remain unchanged;
4. That one consecutive weekend of commercial music events be permitted;
5. That Officers continue to monitor levels of security, stewarding and traffic management and improve these as necessary in response to need;
6. That noise control levels continue to be monitored and adjusted as necessary in the light of ongoing experience;
7. That negotiation for the Live Site in 2012 be considered outside of these arrangements;
8. That arrangements to allow a maximum of ten commercial events in Victoria Park in 2011 continue;
9. That the two-day Paradise Gardens event no longer proceed;
10. That in place of a single major fireworks event in Victoria Park, four smaller community fireworks events take place, one in each paired LAP;
11. That the opportunity to promote events in Victoria Park be tendered for the year 2013 and onwards;
12. That income generating opportunities in other suitable parks continue to be pursued where these do not impact unduly on the local community and planned sporting arrangements;
13. That the Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture examine the location of commercial and non-commercial events within Victoria Park with a view to mitigating any noise impact on nearby residents.
14. That the Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture be instructed to keep the Authority’s policy in respect of events in parks under review and to advise the Mayor and Cabinet of any appropriate revisions.
Action by:
CORPORATE DIRECTOR COMMUNITIES, LOCALITIES AND CULTURE
(S. HALSEY)
Interim Service Head Cultural Services – Communities Localities and Culture (H. Bonfield)
Minutes:
Mr Beattie, Acting Head of Strategy and Resources, Communities, Localities and Culture, at the request of the Mayor, in introducing the report, summarised the key points contained therein, highlighting in particular that:
· The report, which proposed a policy for major events in the Authority’s parks, had been brought forward by the Executive in response to a discussion on the impact of major events in Victoria Park on the local community at a meeting of the full Council, held on 8th December 2010, and the requests contained in an associated motion agreed at the meeting.
· The proposed policy endeavoured to address concerns raised at the Council meeting by striking a balance between the need to generate much needed income, at a time of unprecedented cuts in Local Government funding, by using the asset of the Authority’s parks to host commercial events, with the needs of local residents.
· Key proposals included:
o A reduction in the number of days with major events in Victoria Park from thirteen in 2010 to ten in 2011. To achieve this it was proposed that two free community events, which generated the largest audiences, no longer take place in Victoria Park: The Paradise Gardens event to cease and the annual fireworks show to be replace with four smaller events elsewhere.
o One consecutive weekend of commercial music events per year, a reduction from three in 2010.
o The Victoria Park events package to be tendered from 2013 onwards, and the 2012 Live site to be negotiated separately from these arrangements.
A lengthy discussion followed, during which the proposals in the report were broadly welcomed, and which focused on the following points:-
· Clarification/ assurance was sought and given:
o As to whether officers had examined the potential use of other parks in the borough for events benefitting the community and income generation. Noted that the scope for this was constrained by health and safety requirements and transport links, but options were being pursued where these did not impact on the local community or planned sporting arrangements.
o That the annual fireworks display in Victoria Park was not being cancelled altogether but replaced by four smaller events (Millwall Park, Weavers Fields, Mile End Stadium and King George’s Playing Fields) and the tradition would therefore continue. The rationale for this was also outlined.
o Regarding the nature and methodology of the consultation undertaken in relation to the proposed policy. Examination of feedback from event participants, analysis of complaints, addressing concerns raised by local councillors on behalf of residents.
o Regarding the measures to be taken to address the concerns of local residents in relation to major events in parks such as noise control, security, stewarding and cleaning of Victoria Park. Also improved performance in these areas.
· The Mayor stated that he considered it appropriate to explore the possibility of reducing the number of commercial event days for 2011 from the ten recommended in the proposed policy, and would be instructing officers to do so.
· Labour Group councillors, speaking with the consent of the Mayor and Cabinet, commented that:
o Although the issues of concern to local residents and local councillors had been expressed articulately, the report resolutely ignored them.
o It was galling that the views of 200,000 people who had attended events in Victoria Park, many of whom paid £80 for a concert ticket, were given equal weight to those of local residents who lived near the park or used the park. The report did not address the concerns of these local residents who had to endure thumping noise in their homes throughout concert days and in addition could not enjoy the park as an amenity whilst events were on. Neither were the residents middle class as a Cabinet member had suggested as there were housing estates nearby where residents did not have gardens to enjoy and used the park instead.
o Local councillors had never objected to the large crowds at free community events, and it was disingenuous for officers to use this rationale to remove community events from the event programme thereby keeping the number of major event days down and maintaining the number of commercial events.
o The commitment of the Mayor to explore a reduction in the number of commercial event days from the proposed ten, was however welcome and encouraging.
o Residents and councillors had not complained about the annual fireworks display or the Paradise Gardens event, but had complained about the use of Victoria Park as a venue for a “Glastonbury style” event over the summer months. It should not be a choice of enduring 10 days of “Love Box” in order to fund the annual fireworks display and “Paradise Gardens”. The Cabinet should re-examine this issue and adopt a policy of six days for major commercial events with Victoria Park continuing to be the venue for the annual firework display.
o Whilst the “Paradise Gardens” event was beneficial for the community the Authority could no longer justify footing the entire bill of approximately £250,000 in the context of the difficult decisions it was required to make regarding funding and service provision.
· A Conservative Group councillor, speaking with the consent of the Mayor and Cabinet:
o Sought and was given clarification as to whether the four smaller community firework events proposed would straddle the normal weekend in November.
o Requested that given resident concerns regarding events with beer tents and the anti-social behaviour perceived to follow, that the Local Area Partnership and nearby community be consulted in respect of events, such as the community fireworks, proposed in local parks. Also that officers take account of potential anti-social behaviour when identifying suitable venues for events.
· The Deputy Mayor commented that he fully supported the proposals in the report:
o The discussion of this matter at the full Council meeting had focused not on the number of events, or the distinction between commercial/ non commercial events, but on noise and nuisance for local people. The review had identified that free community events generated the most disruption for the local community.
o The Council was required to find savings of £72 million over the next 3 years and to do so needed to generate income and the policy would assist with this. It was not possible in this context to hold all the free community events and reduce the number of commercial events.
o In holding community fireworks events in the four corners of the borough the Mayor and Cabinet were making the event more accessible for local communities, and prioritising the needs of local people. It was important to note that 50,000 of the 90,000 people attending the Victoria Park Fireworks Display were thought to come from Hackney and did not contribute anything to the cost of the event.
· Officers clarified that:
o The net income generation target of £200,000 for 2011/12 could not be achieved with six commercial events per annum, nor could community events be funded. The income generated was also helping to protect front line service provision.
o Although the impact on local residents could be reduced at weekends, non-consecutive days for events would also make the income generation difficult as this was a factor in improving the cost/ benefit of erecting/ dismantling event infrastructure for event promoters.
· Councillor Rania Khan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, indicated that she had been overseeing the development of the policy, commenting that:
o The policy sought to achieve a careful balance between the needs of the local community and that of the Council to generate income, with the number of commercial and non commercial events to make this viable.
o She and the Mayor would ensure robust monitoring arrangements were in place for the policy and there was continued improvement relating to holding such events. Another member of the Cabinet reiterated that the policy would be kept under review, in the context of the “human cost”, and elements revisited as necessary.
o Measures were in place to address the concerns of local residents such as noise control, security, stewarding and cleaning.
o Sometimes people did not embrace change well, but the policy was underpinned by a vision to improve access to the fireworks event for the entire community, and in particular vulnerable elements such as the elderly and disabled, by holding it in four different locations.
o “Paradise Gardens” was much enjoyed by the community and the loss of the event was regrettable, however it was one of two free events that attracted 150,000 people over 3 event days resulting in considerable disruption for the local community. There was also an imperative to generate income whilst responding to the full Council motion requesting a reduction in the number of events.
o A “Royal Wedding Picnic in the Park” was planned for 29 April 2011 with families encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy entertainment.
o Councillor Rania Khan concluded by proposing:
Ø The following amendment to recommendation 2.1 set out in the report:
“That the number of commercial and non-commercial event days in Victoria Park (excluding 2012) be restricted to ten days or less where this can be achieved whilst still securing income targets. This limit to exclude events such as charity fun-runs.”
Ø The following additional recommendation 2.2 to those set out in the report:
“That the Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture be instructed to explore the possibility of reducing the number of commercial event days for 2011.”
for the consideration of the Mayor and members of the Cabinet.
· Councillor Jackson, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, speaking with the consent of the Mayor and Cabinet, commented that a focus of the concern of local residents about events in Victoria Park, voiced by councillors for Bow Ward, was the build up of insufferable levels of noise adjacent to the canal with great impact on residents in nearby estates. Officers should examine the location of events within the Park with a view to mitigating any noise impact. The Mayor concurred, and accepted the suggestion of Councillor Jackson as an additional recommendation, to those set out in the report, for his consideration and that of members of the Cabinet.
The Mayor commented that a press release from the Labour Group benches urged residents to unite to save the Victoria Park firework night and accused him of a lack of vision in relation to this. He responded that:
· He had been to Victoria Park for this event in the past and there was no doubt it was a fantastic show.
· It was important to note that at least half of the 90,000 people attending the Victoria Park Fireworks Display came from Hackney and did not contribute anything to the cost of the event.
· By replacing a single event in Victoria Park with four high quality community events spread evenly across the borough, the community was better served. The fireworks, provided at the same cost, would be accessible to more people who would not have to travel from their locality such as Millwall to Bow. The fireworks would also be much more accessible for the entire community: families and young children, and also vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled. This was a vision to be applauded.
The Mayor, in Moving the recommendations as set out in the report (taking account of the amendments proposed by Councillor Rania Khan and Councillor Jackson), commented that he and his Cabinet had noted the concerns raised by the residents of Bow Ward and in response:
· The number of consecutive weekends of commercial music events was being reduced from three in 2010 to one in 2011.
· Officers were also being instructed to explore the possibility of reducing the number of commercial event days for 2011 from the ten in the proposed policy.
· He also considered it was appropriate that the Authority’s policy in respect of major events in parks be kept under review and responsive to experience of holding events going forward, and that he and his Cabinet should be advised of any appropriate revisions to the policy by Officers. Accordingly he proposed the following additional for the consideration of members of the Cabinet:
“That the Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture be instructed to keep the Authority’s policy in respect of events in parks under review and to advise the Mayor and Cabinet of any appropriate revisions.”
and it was:-
Resolved:
1. That the number of commercial and non-commercial event days in Victoria Park (excluding 2012) be restricted to ten days or less where this can be achieved whilst still securing income targets. This limit to exclude events such as charity fun-runs;
2. That the Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture be instructed to explore the possibility of reducing the number of commercial event days for 2011;
3. That the current closing time (11.00pm) remain unchanged;
4. That one consecutive weekend of commercial music events be permitted;
5. That Officers continue to monitor levels of security, stewarding and traffic management and improve these as necessary in response to need;
6. That noise control levels continue to be monitored and adjusted as necessary in the light of ongoing experience;
7. That negotiation for the Live Site in 2012 be considered outside of these arrangements;
8. That arrangements to allow a maximum of ten commercial events in Victoria Park in 2011 continue;
9. That the two-day Paradise Gardens event no longer proceed;
10. That in place of a single major fireworks event in Victoria Park, four smaller community fireworks events take place, one in each paired LAP;
11. That the opportunity to promote events in Victoria Park be tendered for the year 2013 and onwards;
12. That income generating opportunities in other suitable parks continue to be pursued where these do not impact unduly on the local community and planned sporting arrangements;
13. That the Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture examine the location of commercial and non-commercial events within Victoria Park with a view to mitigating any noise impact on nearby residents.
14. That the Corporate Director Communities, Localities and Culture be instructed to keep the Authority’s policy in respect of events in parks under review and to advise the Mayor and Cabinet of any appropriate revisions.
Reasons for Decisions
These are detailed in paragraphs 3.1 to 3.2 of the report (CAB 099/101)
Alternative Options Considered
These are detailed in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.2 of the report (CAB 099/101)
Supporting documents: