Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee
Subject: Brighton & Hove Events Strategy pre-decision scrutiny
Date of meeting: 25th March 2025
Report of: Chair of Place Overview & Scrutiny
Contact Officer: Name: Corporate Director- Operations
Ward(s) affected: (All Wards);
Key Decision: No
1.1 At the Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee working planning meeting, members expressed an interest in engaging with the strategic planning of city events, particularly in terms of how the balance is struck between the cultural and economic benefits that events bring to the city and the negative impacts they can have on residents, such as noise and anti-social behaviour, or temporary loss of bus services
1.2 A new 5 year outdoor events strategy is being developed that sets out the council’s policies and approaches for securing, delivering, managing and supporting a diverse range of outdoor events across the city. The aim is to ensure city events are accessible, environmentally and financially sustainable, safe and welcoming for more and different communities, promoting Brighton & Hove as a leading creative destination. There is consequently an opportunity for pre-decision scrutiny on an issue that O&S members have identified as a priority.
1.3 Appendix 1 contains the draft outdoor events strategy for members to consider and comment on. The events strategy is due to be presented to Cabinet in May 2025.
2.1 Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee notes the contents of the report
2.2 That Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee consider and comment upon the draft outdoor events strategy (appendix 1) to inform the further development of the strategy.
3.1 The citywide Events programme in the city and its local-global reputation makes us a city to be proud of. The event programme is led by the corporate plan and delivers against multiple policy areas, ensuring we are a vibrant city, a city to be proud of, and promoting and protecting the creative dynamism that makes Brighton & Hove unique. The event programme is key to delivering on the 10-year imperative set out in the Economic Development plan “A creative destination worthy of the best small city in the world”. Outdoor events are vital in establishing and evolving the reputation of the city as a national and international leisure and creative destination. Events contribute significantly to the economic impact for the city, boosting the visitor economy, offering new and different reasons to study, work, and visit the city. And events create joy.
3.2 The events programme is spread across open spaces in the city and takes place in many of our main parks and city streets over the course of the year. Outdoor events play a pivotal role in the vibrancy and economic vitality of a city. They not only provide residents and visitors with opportunities for recreation and cultural engagement but also stimulate local economies by attracting tourists, generating employment, and fostering community spirit. Events transform public spaces into lively hubs of activity, showcasing the city’s unique character and heritage. Furthermore, they contribute to the social fabric by bringing diverse groups together, promoting inclusivity, and encouraging civic pride. In essence, outdoor events are essential for enhancing the quality of urban life and driving sustainable development. The Events programme was shared with Cabinet in November 2024 and includes a range of activities including 400 filming activities and 150 events including 3 major sports events, 10 outdoor festivals, and over 100 civic and community events.
3.3 Underpinning the events programme is the Outdoor Events Strategy that sets out the council’s policies and approaches for securing, delivering, managing and supporting a diverse range of outdoor events across the city. The current Outdoor Events Strategy focusses on a low-risk approach to event delivery in the city with Brighton & Hove City Council acting as a landlord and facilitator, rather than funding and producing events inhouse. This document is under review, and a revised policy paper is being developed for approval in Spring 2025.
3.4 The new strategy will set out clear plans for how events need to deliver on corporate objectives as well as demonstrate innovation, transformation, collaboration and entrepreneurialism.
· It will provide policy guidance to council departments, members, residents and partners on our vision, mission and objectives.
· There will be a focus on diversifying the programme to include markets, interventions that help develop the night time economy, as well as a greater response to the unique UNESCO urban biosphere and our extraordinary natural landscapes.
· We want to ensure the programme is fair and inclusive, representative of and accessible to all our evolving communities, with strong community ownership, as well as providing opportunities for local businesses and talent to grow and lead.
· There will continue to be a strong commercial drive to both understand how we can drive even greater benefits to the local economy building on the £120m benefits currently estimated, as well securing greater income and media coverage for these events.
· There will be a strong ongoing and increasing emphasis on building and diversifying our National and international partnership working, especially with devolution on the horizon. Our events strategy will set out policy with regards working in partnership to encourage and develop the visitor economy across Sussex.
5.1 Members of Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee are being asked to comment on the strategy as part of the consultation process
6.1 There are no direct financial implications arising from the recommendations
of this report. Staff time required in developing the events strategy will be
contained within existing Outdoor Events budgets for the financial year
2025/26.
6.2 The Outdoor Events budget for 2025/26 includes an income target of
£0.650m for fee incomes. Developing the strategy for outdoor events will
contribute to achieving the income target for the 25/26 financial year.
6.3 Any significant variations to budget will be reported as part of the council’s
monthly budget monitoring process
Name of finance officer consulted: Craig Garoghan
Date consulted: 13/03/2025
7.1 There are no direct legal implication arising from the contents of this report. If the strategy is approved by Cabinet, further analyses of the legal implications will be required in respect of the proposed individual events arising from the implementation of the strategy.
Name of lawyer consulted: Siobhan Fry Date consulted (10/03/25):
8.1 The Events Programme caters for people from all sectors of the community as there are a diverse range of events that are staged in the city each year. Issues such as physical access to an event and designated viewing areas are developed and detailed in event plans where applicable. Major event organisers will be required to complete an Equalities Impact Assessment.
8.2 A key aim of the new strategy is to ensure that the programme is fair and inclusive, representative of and accessible to all our evolving communities.
9.1 The nature of outdoor events means that they often involve a range of potential sustainability impacts (both positive and negative) from travel, energy and water use, food, local economic and social impacts, use of outdoor spaces and green spaces and production of waste. Event organisers continue to be strongly encouraged to sign up to the Council’s Sustainable Event Commitment, helping them to improve sustainability at their events.
9.2 All applications for events to be held on council land will be reviewed by the Council’s outdoor events team to assess the potential impact and risk of the event to Brighton & Hove City Council land. Factors such as location, size, type of event, and what ground protection measures the event organiser has confirmed will be considered when agreeing if a reinstatement bond is required, and the value of this bond. A third-party contractor via the new framework agreement will be responsible for all ground reinstatement. It is important to recognise that the impact on our open spaces by some events is inevitable, but the positive social and economic impacts of these events outweigh the immediate effects on the land.
9.3 Environmental Impact Assessment and Action plans will be required to be undertaken by organisers wishing to stage their events in the city.
10. Health and Wellbeing Implications:
10.1 Outdoor events have a positive impact on the health and well-being of participants and spectators.
10.2 Initial landlord’s consent for outdoor events is determined by the council many months in advance, however, whether any event can go ahead is still very much dependent on all the safety and event permissions being in place at the time of the event.
10.3 Officers attend regular meetings held by the Sussex Resilience Forum, to ensure consistency as a region in relation to guidance, advice and information being given to event organisers with regards to Public Health concerns. It is recognised regionally that keeping visitors and residents safe is our priority.
12.1 The committee is asked to note the report on the Outdoor Events Strategy and add any comments or recommendations to inform Cabinet.
Supporting Documentation
1. Outdoor Events Strategy