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Issue - meetings
Revision to Festivals & Event Policy
Meeting: 26/11/2019 - Economic Regeneration and Leisure Committee (Item 81)
81 Amendments to the Festivals and Events Policy PDF 127 KB
Additional documents:
- APPENDIX 1, item 81
PDF 8 KB View as HTML (81/2) 2 KB
- Appendix 1 - Festivals and Events Policy v5 30.11.16, item 81
PDF 439 KB
Minutes:
The Visitor Economy and Events Development Manager presented her report proposing amendments to the Festival and Events Policy relating to noise levels and the frequency of events and also providing an overview of events in the Council’s parks in 2019. It was noted that:
· Maidstone was now recognised as a key destination for large events and festivals comparing favourably with other major towns and cities around the UK. In 2019 Mote Park was booked almost every weekend during the events season. It was calculated that the three largest events in the Park had a combined economic impact of over £3.1m for the Borough.
· It was proposed to amend the Festival and Events Policy to increase the number of category A events in Mote Park from up to 2 to up to 5 per annum and the maximum number of days from 6 to 12 of which a maximum of 8 days can be music events.
· The proposed amendment would allow more flexibility with events. The Ramblin Man Fair was currently a category A event that takes place over 3 days. The second category A event was the Revival and Big Top Live weekend. All other events were category B or C.
· According to the Policy non-music events that had a significant impact on the parks or the surrounding area were classed as category A. The increase in the size and scale of many charity runs and walks required them to be re-classified as category A. They could have a major impact on the roads and the park use. It was now necessary to increase the number of category A events to accommodate the growth of these events.
· One day category A events might lessen the impact to residents rather than two events of up to three days. Ramblin Man was established as a three-day event but the remaining 3 days could be spread out over a longer period rather than another weekend event. A current enquiry for a high-profile one-day music event could not be confirmed as the limit had been reached on Category A events for 2020. This event could attract 10-15,000 people and provide an event for a mature target audience.
· The proposed amendment would provide enough flexibility to allow the natural growth of events whilst still placing limitations on the number of noisier music events. It was not anticipated that all the event days would be used for category A events nor that all permitted to be a category A would reach the higher noise limits. Without the amendment, should any significant opportunities arise, the Council would not be able to respond quickly enough.
· Whatman Park was not suitable for a Category A event and had never been used for an event of that size. It was proposed that the Policy be amended to limit events in Whatman Park to Category B.
In response to questions, the Officers explained that:
· Most event promoters had event insurance as a matter of course.
· The income targets for events were ... view the full minutes text for item 81