Agenda item

The Panel received an briefing paper on the Slammin’ events 2019 that took place in Finsbury Park and the rectification works that had been undertaken following these events. Sarah Jones, Events and Partnerships Manager introduced the report as set out in the agenda pack at pages 23 to 26. The following was noted in discussion of the report:

a.    The Panel sought assurances around what could be done to restrict bass levels from future events. In response officers acknowledged that there was increase in complaints and that the noise had spread over a further distance than usual due to the prevailing weather conditions. Officers advised that specific conditions were set within the Licence and that there were currently three licences issued to promoters, with each one independent of each other and specific to the relevant licence holder. The conditions referred to in the deputation were for Live Nation events and that these were not transferable to the other premises licences.

b.    In response to concerns about the advertised complaints telephone number being difficult to get hold of and closing immediately after the event, officers acknowledged these concerns and advised that the volume of complaints was well above what was anticipated.The Panel noted that this was the fifth year of the event and it usually generated around 15 complaints, so one telephone line was usually suitable. However, 38 complaints were received in the afternoon this time, along with significant number of complaints to the Parks team in the days following the event. Officers agreed to reconsider how to best ensure the complaints line was organised for future events. (Action: Sarah Jones).

c.    The Panel sought assurances around whether in light of the complaints generated, holding Major Events was in the Council’s interests. In response, officers advised that the revenue generated was essential to the upkeep and maintence of Finsbury Park, following significant budget reductions since 2010. Officers also advised that a lot of residents enjoyed the events and that they were seeking to ensure that there was a balance so that the number of events was kept relatively low whilst also providing a vital income stream.

d.    The Panel questioned whether the level of income being generated was enough to justify the events. In response, officers advised that the schedule of events for next year balanced the concerns of residents against ensuring enough revenue to support the park. It was anticipated that the revenue from next years’ events would allow the Council to make some small infrastructure improvements to Finsbury Park. The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Sustainability advised that, in her view, the events were justifiable in order to ensure the ongoing viability and upkeep of the park.

e.    The Panel queried whether the events could be held every second year instead. Officers advised that in the case of Wireless, that this was an annual event and that the organisers would likely go elsewhere if the Council only permitted them to have it every other year. This would create a significant budget pressure.

f.     The Chair of the LCSP set out that the Council would need to find around £1m to fund the Park if it no longer permitted major events. It was also suggested that the Council seemed to have got a lot better at managing this process over the last five years and that Finsbury Park was immeasurably better than it was many years ago, partially as a result of the additional funding it received from these events.

RESOLVED

That the Panel noted the update on Slammin’ Major Events 2019 and Finsbury Park rectification works.