To receive any apologies for absence.

Councillor Musthak Ahmed gave apologies with Councillor Bodrul Choudhury acting as chair. Councillor Shafi Ahmed attended as a substitute.

Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest in the Code of Conduct for Members to determine whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take. For further details, please see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are reminded to declare the nature of the interest and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it’s the Members’ responsibility to declare any interests form and to update their register of interest form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of your interest, you are advised to seek advice prior to the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services

To consider the following called-in items from the Mayor’s Cabinet held on 29 November 2023.

Cllrs Asma Begum, Sabina Akhtar and James King presented the reasons for call-in on behalf of the Call-in members and proposed alternative course of action as set out in the report.

The committee made the following comments and questions:

• Why should the park not be used for commercial activity and help support the local economy? Call in members stated that Victoria Park is a gift to the East End of London and should be treated like that. While it is important to bring income for the council, but the number of events that could happen here, would not allow locals to enjoy the park for what it is, a park. The income generated from this scheme does not even cover the cost of the Mayor’s office.
• Will the events have a big impact on local residents, as similar events happen in Finsbury Park? Call in members stated that the large number of events in the park will not allow locals to be able to use the park. Comparing usage during Covid-19 Pandemic shows what happens when local residents are unable to use the park for organised sport events, community groups and personal activity. This park is for working class residents to make use of in a very built-up borough.
• Many children use Victoria Park for exercise, parties, and other social activity, what impact will that have on local children? If an event happens on a Friday night, and if waste management is not strict, children may not have access on a Saturday morning. Call in members highlighted that children’s groups within the community have not been consulted about this decision and neither have local members. It will have an affect on children who cannot access the park during the increased events. Many local housing estates use the park as a life line during the summer holidays.
• Can call in members discuss further the concerns about increased attendance numbers for events that fall under large, rather than major events? Call in members stated that over 5,000 attendees was classed as a major event, but now it has been raised to over 20,000. This means large events of people will no longer have the infrastructure of that comes with it. This feels very ill thought out and the decision does not take this into account.
• What work is needed to be done to ensure the balance between income generation and access to the park before the decision was taken? The call-in members highlighted how this decision does not consider what the large events will have on the waste management and other costs.
• Residents will be able to attend these events and benefit from them across the year. What engagement have you had with them over this decision? Call-in members stated that over the last few years they have been events which has had a detrimental impact on the local community. The amount of people leaving the park after large events can be very disruptive. The decision does not include community events  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.1