Decision - Outdoor Events Strategy 2019-24

1)            That the Tourism, Development & Culture Committee adopts the Outdoor Events Strategy (attached as Appendix 1 to this report) and supports the key actions and instructs Officers to prepare a report for the next Tourism, Development & Culture Committee which considers the implications of amending the Outdoor Events Strategy as set out in (a) and (b) below:

(a)   To amend the Outdoor Events Strategy as follows:

(i)            To introduce an Environmental Impact Charge, as requested by respondents to the consultation (and successfully applied in Oxford) to fund maintenance and care of the spaces used, including support for “Friends of” parks and open spaces associations;

(ii)          to request that all outdoor events on council-owned land sign up to the Outdoor Events Charter, irrespective of visitor numbers

(iii)         that as part of the ongoing review of Hire Charges and Fees, consideration is given to options for a fairer way of calculating charges such as aligning them with commercial event income or attendance figures

(iv)         that a transport plan is developed for large events (500+ attendees) that makes provision for maintaining access to sustainable transport corridors during the event where practicable and agreed by the Safety Advisory Group, and encourages access to events via sustainable transport in line with the Sustainable Event Commitment

(b)   To amend the Outdoor Events Charter as follows, to include:

(i)           discouraging the use of performing animals in events on council-owned land

(ii)          a commitment to reduce waste creation at source

(iii)         a commitment to the Brighton Living Wage

(iv)         a commitment to comply with key BHCC corporate commitments as they affect communities, such as policies developed in relation to Licensing and Environmental Health

(c)    To amend the Sustainable Events Commitment for Outdoor Events, to require event organisers to find alternatives to single use plastics where possible; and

(d)   To request that this committee receives annual feedback on compliance with the Charter, with a presumption against granting future permission to events that show clear disregard for the Charter