Events in Parks Policy Consultation

Current policy: The council has terms and conditions in place and these are reviewed from time to time.

Rationale for change: To ensure the Terms and Condition meet changing legal requirements and enable continuous improvement of the management of events.

Current policy: Events with alcohol sales or entertainment need a separate licence from the council’s Environmental Services Division.

Rationale for change:

1. To clarify that this clause applies to events requiring licences or temporary event notices (TENs).

2. To remove reference to the names of specific council departments that may change from time to time.

Current policy: Events cannot exceed 10,000 attendees.

Rationale for change: To ensure that all events comply with the maximum attendance size approved at the application stage, regardless of the event size.

Current policy: There are strict limits on the number of events in each park per year.

Rationale for change:  

1. To move from number of events to event days to better manage impact.

2. To facilitate events on consecutive weekends as this can reduce the overall impact on the site, residents, reduce infrastructure costs and setup/down time.

3. To clarify that attendance relates to maximum capacity of the site rather than entire day attendance. For example, a free to access event with a specific site capacity may be visited by more people throughout the day.

4. To clarify that sport or physical activity events are not included in the event frequency limits.

Current policy: Events cannot exceed 75 decibels at 10 metres from the event site.

Rationale for change: 

1. To ensure that any noise limits imposed are in line with code of practice rather than a set value. Note that noise is typically measured near sensitive receptors (e.g. residential properties) rather than at a set distance from the site perimeter.

2. To ensure smaller events are subject to noise control measures.

Current policy: Weekend events must be open to the public, including through tickets.

Rationale for change: To clarify that areas not normally open to the general public may be used for private hire events.

Current policy: Changes to event rules require Executive Committee approval.

Rationale for change: To provide a more responsive approach to amending the policy if required.

Current policy: The current policy sets rules for which community events do not have to pay a hire fee.

Rationale for change: To ensure that fees and charges are set annually through the Council’s fees and charges process.

Current policy: The current policy has no clear statement on what types of activities fall under the events policy.

Rationale for change: To clarify when this policy applies.

Current policy: There is no clear definition of what qualifies as an event.

Rationale for change: To clarify when this policy applies.

Current policy: No specific requirements for event organisers to be environmentally responsible.

Rationale for change: To ensure that events are sustainable and minimise, mitigate and manage the impact on the environment and wildlife.

Current policy: Some events can take up an entire park or open space.

Rationale for change: To ensure that other parks, commons, and open spaces users may continue to have reasonable access parts of site while events are taking place.