Agenda item

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 hire Finsbury Park, and asked to submit their comments.

1.8       All stakeholders were given 10 days to respond, as outlined in the Outdoor Events Policy. A full list of stakeholders is attached at Appendix 2.

1.9       1 stakeholder group, the Friends of Finsbury Park, responded to the consultation (attached in full as Appendix 1).

1.10    A summary of points raised by the Friends of Finsbury Park follows, along with a response to each point:

(a)  That a full bat survey be undertaken in relation to this event.

Two bat surveys have been commissioned in the park over the last two years, The key routes for bats within the park are not affected by the location of the events in the park.

(b)  Earlier end times on both event days.

Finishing times were reviewed as part of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees review of events in Finsbury Park and they concluded based on the evidence submitted to them that the finish time of events in the park was appropriate.

(c)  A noise map for Finsbury Park is provided.

We don’t believe a noise map will provide any additional information as the licence includes monitoring the sound levels at the eight identified noise monitoring points, as set out in the premises licence. In previous years this event has generated very few complaints.

(d)  Reduce the number of sound tents.

The number of tents at this event was also discussed at the licensing hearing and the Licensing Sub Committee did not see the need to limit the numbers in order to meet any requirements under the prevention of public nuisance objective. The noise limits set in the licence are the same wether there is one tent or a dozen tents.

1.11    The application is brought to the attention of the Cabinet Member for approval in accordance with paragraphs 5.2.2 and 5.2.3 of the Outdoor Events Policy in that:

            (a)       event lasts more than 2 days with 5,000 or more in attendance

Alternative options considered

2.1       With the adoption of the Outdoor Events Policy in 2014, the Council established their commitment to using Finsbury Park for a limited number of major events each year.

2.2       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 Slammin’ Events application.

2.3       The rejection of this application would have implications for the Parks Service budget and reduce the opportunity for reinvestment into Finsbury Park. It would also mean that the wider cultural and economic benefits to the borough were lost.