Agenda item

Councillor Mitchell considered the report which sought determination of three applications made by Festival Republic Ltd to hire Finsbury Park in order to stage (1) Steel Yard, a 2 day event in May 2018, (2) a multi-event weekend to include the Community Festival over 3 days in June/July 2018 and (3) the Wireless Festival, a 3 day event proposed for July 2018.  These applications are required to be determined pursuant to the Council’s Outdoor Event Policy, which was approved by Cabinet on 17 December 2013, and implemented on 7 January 2014.

Three applications – 5^th year wireless takes place in the park.  Fits within outdoor events policy.  Recommendations take into account comments received from local stakeholders.

Councillor Mitchell noted the detailed responses set out in the report, and noted that the events were in line with the Council’s policy.

Councillor Carter, Kevin Duffy and Eldridge Culverwell requested permission to ask questions regarding the reports.  Councillor Mitchell reiterated that there were comprehensive responses to the comments raised during the consultation, but allowed all three to ask questions and comment on the reports.

Councillor Carter referred to a legal letter sent to the Council on behalf of the Friends of Finsbury Park, and suggested that the current events policy should be updated as it may not be lawful.  He questioned why the decision was to be taken so close an election, when a new administration may take a different view.  He also added that there had been a legal judgement relating to where monies were raised for a park then this would be ring-fenced for spending in that park only.

In response, it was confirmed that the Council had conceded to the Open Spaces Act 1906, and all monies made by using Finsbury Park would be spent on Finsbury Park.  Paragraph 9.2.12 of the report referred to the ongoing legal action, and made clear that approval was conditional on the outcome of any appeal.  In terms of decision making, it would be inappropriate to not take any decisions whilst in the current administration. 

Kevin Duffy requested information which he had previously asked for, but had not been provided with.  He wished to have clarification on the breakdown of existing income streams to Finsbury Park.  Sarah Jones (Events & Partnership Manager) advised that this was being dealt with by the legal letter sent to the Council, and could not be provided as part of this meeting.

In response to Eldridge Culverwell, Councillor Mitchell advised that the report outlined how the Council would meet the objections raised during the consultation period.

RESOLVED that

 i.          The comments received from recognised stakeholders of Finsbury Park in response to the event notifications sent as part of the decision making process be noted;

ii.          The Interim Director – Commercial and Operations be authorised to approve conditional in principle agreement to hire Finsbury Park to the event promoter for the events detailed in paragraph 6.4 of the report; and

iii.          The conditions to be attached to any final approval of authority shall be as set out in the comments of the Assistant Director, Corporate Governance at paragraph 9.2.12 of the report.

Reasons for decision

Under the terms of the 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). 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 Policy for automatic refusal.