Agenda and minutes

Please note that this meeting may be filmed or recorded by the Council for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site or by anyone attending the meeting using any communication method. Although we ask members of the public recording, filming or reporting on the meeting not to include the public seating areas, members of the public attending the meeting should be aware that we cannot guarantee that they will not be filmed or recorded by others attending the meeting. Members of the public participating in the meeting (e.g. making deputations, asking questions, making oral protests) should be aware that they are likely to be filmed, recorded or reported on. 

By entering the meeting room and using the public seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

The chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.

Noted.

The Cabinet Member will advise of any items they have decided to take as urgent business.

None.

The report will seek Cabinet Member approval for a music event,  managed by Slammin’ Events to be held on 24^th and 25^th September 2016 in Finsbury Park, in line with the Outdoor Events Policy.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which sought approval for a music event, managed by Slammin’ Events to be held on 24 and 25 September 2016 in Finsbury Park, in line with the Outdoor Events Policy.

Councillor Carter attended the meeting and made reference to the questions raised by the Friends of Finsbury Park, the answers to which were outline at section 4.10 of the report.

RESOLVED

i.          To consider the reply received from the Finsbury Park stakeholders in response to the event notification. A summary of this response is detailed below, with the full response attached as Appendix 1.

ii.         To agree that Finsbury Park is hired to Slammin’ Events for the music events taking place on 24 and 25 September 2016, which is in line with the Outdoor Events Policy.

Reasons for decision

1.1       Events in Finsbury Park are a long standing feature of the summer season in the park. They are met each year with a mixed opinion from most, with some objectors.

1.2       The rationale for holding events is both economic and cultural. Hosting events in parks supports the cultural offer in the borough, enables communities to come together and promotes economic growth benefiting local business. Overall a vibrant event programme supports the council’s outcome of the Borough as a great place to live and work. Income derived from events are very much at the heart of sustaining the Parks Service rather than exposing it to further cuts which would mean a lower standard of parks maintenance across the borough and within Finsbury Park itself.

1.3       Many people will recall the no-go place Finsbury Park was prior to its restoration in 2005. It has now held a Green Flag Award, the national standard for excellence in parks, for 10 years and has benefited from further investment of £500,000 over the last two years, all funded from event income. But the benefit is much wider as income is used to support projects in other parks and raising standards across all parks.

1.4       Slammin’ Events has successfully held a September house/drum and base music weekend in Finsbury Park since 2014 with very few complaints.

1.5       In June 2016 Slammin’ Events was granted a Premises Licence for Finsbury Park, to host up to 4 music events per year, for the next ten years. Use of the park is still subject to individual park hire applications for each event planned.

1.6       The council remains committed to improving the experience for local residents and is continuing to work with partners in all three boroughs to ensure these events go ahead and residents see improvements in the delivery from 2015.

1.7       A total of 30 stakeholder groups including: local residents associations, Hackney and Islington council officers and park user groups and leaseholders; councillors from 6 adjoining wards including in Hackney and Islington; internal council stakeholders including licensing and emergency planning; and statutory bodies including the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade were sent notification of the application to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

The report will seek Cabinet Member approval for Tottenham Green being hired to Marika Gauci for the Tottenham Green Market to take place every Sunday until 11 June 2017, in line with the Outdoor Events Policy.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which sought approval for Tottenham Green being hired to Marika Gauci for the Tottenham Green Market to take place every Sunday until 11 June 2017, in line with the Outdoor Event Policy.

RESOLVED

i.          To note that no replies were received in response to the event notification being shared with Tottenham Green stakeholders.

ii.         To agree that Tottenham Green is hired to Marika Gauci for the Tottenham Green Market to take place every Sunday until 11 June 2017, which is in line with the Outdoor Events Policy.

Reasons for decision

1.1       The rationale for holding events is both economic and cultural. Hosting events in parks supports the cultural offer in the borough, enables communities to come together and promotes economic growth benefiting local business. Overall a vibrant event programme supports the council’s outcome of the Borough as a great place to live and work.

1.2       Income derived from events are very much at the heart of sustaining the Parks Service rather than exposing it to further cuts which would mean a lower standard of parks maintenance across the borough.

1.3       Tottenham Green has had significant investment in a public realm improvement scheme as part of the Tottenham Regeneration Programme. The overall objectives of the project were to increase footfall in Tottenham Green and transform the Green into an attractive, well used space, which would see events and markets happen on a regular basis.

1.4       Due to planning restrictions the Market had operated on a 14 week basis in 2015/16.

1.5       In June 2016 the Martket was granted planning permission to increase the number of market events held each year to 52.

1.6       Ward councillors and the Friends of Tottenham Green were given 10 days to respond, as outlined in the Outdoor Events Policy.

1.7       No stakeholders responded to the consultation.

1.8       The application is brought to the attention of the Cabinet Member for approval in accordance with paragraph 5.2.3 of the Outdoor Events Policy, in that the applicant proposes to occupy the site “for more than 14 days including set up and take down periods”.

Alternative options considered

1.1       With the adoption of the Outdoor Events Policy in 2014, the Council established their commitment to using parks for events, and especially increasing community events.  

1.2       The recommendations contained within this report are in line with that Policy and as such no alternative options have been considered other than to reject the Tottenham Green Market application.

1.3       The rejection of this application would have an implication for the Parks Service budget and reduce the opportunity for reinvestment into parks. It would also mean that the wider cultural and economic benefits to the borough would be lost.

To consider any items of Urgent Business admitted under Item 2 above.

None.

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the items below contain exempt information, as defined under under Paragraphs 3 & 5, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for items 7-9, as the items contained exempt information, as defined under Paragraphs 3 & 5, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

As per Item 3.

The exempt information was noted.

As per Item 4.

The exempt information was noted.

As per Item 2.

None.