Agenda item

The report will seek Cabinet Member consideration of two applications made by Festival Republic Ltd to hire Finsbury Park over 3 days in July 2017 in order to stage the Wireless 2017 music festival, and to hold a one day concert on 1^st July 2017.

The Leader noted the report which sought consideration of two applications made by Festival Republic Ltd to hire Finsbury Park. One application was for a three day period in July 2017 in order stage the Wireless 2017 music festival and the other application was for a one day concert on 1^st July 2017.

Councillor Carter introduced two members of the Friends of Finsbury Park group; Eldridge Culverwell and Barbara Baughan. Councillor Carter advised that he and other members of the Friends of Finsbury Park group objected in principle to Wireless festival being held, and also referred to the fact that there was an ongoing court case in relation to the matter.

Councillor Carter outlined concerns with the noise monitoring process and questioned the location of the noise monitoring points. It was suggested that the measurements taken by the noise monitoring points did not reflect the noise levels experienced by local residents. In response to these concerns, officers outlined that there were 8 monitoring points around Finsbury Park, which were agreed as part of the event licence.  The locations of the monitoring points were well established and had been in place for a number of years. Officers also advised that a review of the location of the monitoring points was undertaken last year and it concluded that the monitoring points were in the correct place and that they were able to collect the noise readings that were required.

The Interim Head of Direct Services advised that noise levels were monitored during the event by Vanguardia Consulting and that the Council’s licensing team and duty Noise Enforcement Officer were also present during major events to ensure that the terms of the licence were being adhered to. The taking of noise levels was carried out in line with standard industry practice, with readings taken over a 15 minute period. It was noted that changes to the way noise monitoring was undertaken at last years’ event allowed individual frequencies to be adjusted, for example to reduce bass levels emanating from low frequencies. This had resulted in a 50% reduction to the number of noise complaints received last year from the year before.  

Councillor Carter observed that the event promoter was already selling tickets to this year’s Wireless event. In response the Chair drew attention to paragraph 8.2.7 of the report which set out the safeguards in place given the outstanding issue in relation to the date of the appeal hearing.

RESOLVED

1. That the Leader consider, and take account of, the comments received from recognised stakeholders of Finsbury Park in response to the event notifications being sent as part of the decision making process (as per Appendix 1 of the report).

2. To authorise the Assistant Director – Commercial and Operations, to approve conditional in principle agreement to hire Finsbury Park to the event promoters for the events detailed in this report as set out in paragraph 6.4 of the report.

3. To agree that the conditions which are to be attached to any final approval of authority are as set out in the comments of the Assistant Director, Corporate Governance at paragraph 8.2.7 of the report.

Reasons for decision

Under the terms of the Outdoor Events Policy, applications of the type detailed in this report are required to be determined with the prior agreement of the Cabinet Member. 

If authority is given, then officers will give in principle agreement to the applicant for the event applications to progress.  The events will then be subject to lengthy discussions with relevant authorities, including licensing before final agreement is given.

The rejection of the applications would have implications for the Parks Service budget, and reduce the opportunity for reinvestment into Finsbury Park (the Park) and other parks. It would also mean that the wider cultural and economic benefits to the borough were lost.

Alternative options considered

In adopting the Policy, the Council established its commitment to using the Park for a limited number of major events each year.  Accordingly, the only other alternative option which could be considered would be to reject the application.  That option was rejected, on the grounds that the events did not fall within any of the grounds set out in paragraph 5.3 of the Outdoor Events Policy for automatic refusal.