Issue - meetings

Cabinet to note the Scrutiny Review of Finsbury Park Events.

Councillor Wright, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Chair of the Scrutiny Panel Review, considering the impact of the events policy in Finsbury Park, was invited by the Leader to introduce this report.

Councillor Wright outlined the thinking behind the terms of reference of the Scrutiny Review, the consideration given to the local concerns raised by residents following the recent Wireless Festival. This had further led the Scrutiny Panel to review the how the events policy was being implemented and exploring the mitigation measures in place to minimise the impact of the vents held in the Park on the local community. The Scrutiny Review Panel had spoken with a range of local residents, local stakeholders, partner’s Councillors; MP’s and received 700 hundred responses to an online questionnaire.

The Panel felt that there were further opportunities to mitigate impact of the events in the local community, especially around security and clear up of the events and put forward recommendations in accordance with this.

RESOLVED

1. To note the Finsbury Park Events Scrutiny Project final report, attached at Appendix 1; and

2. To note the recommendations contained in the final report set out at Appendix 2.

To receive the Overview & Scrutiny Committee project report on Finsbury Park Events.

RECEIVED the final report of the Finsbury Park Events Scrutiny Project, introduced by the Chair as laid out on pages 183-304 of the agenda pack. 

NOTED the following further to the committee’s discussion of the report and the recommendations on page 299:

·         The panel had seriously considered the evidence presented during the review and the Chair emphasised that much planning took place around these events.  Some of the issues had arisen due to the lack of stewards and egress planning and the recommendations referred to many of the matters raised by stakeholders;

·         The committee reviewed the recommendations in the report, including that:

·         Recommendation 2b – it was confirmed that the income generated by events was approximately 40% of the parks budget.  The remaining 60% of the parks budget came from other income lines and approximately £300k of council funding’.

·         Recommendation 10 – the Head of Direct Services would be asked to oversee this work and would be responsible for reporting back to stakeholders;

·         Councillor Connor questioned the school-time disruption raised during the deputation. Officers confirmed that the Wireless Event had started on Friday and officers had visited Stroud Green Road but had not witnessed any bad language at the time;

·         there was a ‘show-stop’ agreement, which had been invoked with one show being stopped during the event.  Councillor Hearn suggested that the show stopper clause also be applied to sound checks;

·         the Committee noted officers’ reassurances that the points raised in the letter from Sarah Caton would continue to be addressed;

post-meeting note: Committee Chair has confirmed that the letter from Sarah Caton had been followed up and meetings were being arranged with the school.

·         sound checks consisted of music and vocal octave sound checks;

·         Recommendation 13 – it was not possible to ban tobacco sales as a condition of the license although the council could take a decision to not allow tobacco sales at events.

RESOLVED to agree the recommendations in the Finsbury Park Events Scrutiny Project Final report.