Decision - Pride 2015-2020

RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee grant Landlord’s consent for five successive years, commencing August 2015, to Brighton Pride Community Interest Company (BPCIC) to stage the Pride Parade through the city and a fenced and ticketed Pride Festival in Preston Park and Pride Village Party in the St James’ Street area, with all three elements subject to the conditions as set out in 3.28 and 3.29 - 3.33 of the report;

(2) That, subject to the standards and requirements referred to in paragraphs 3.29 to 3.33 being met and the appropriate documentation being produced, the Committee authorises the Assistant Chief Executive to implement the recommendations set out in 3.28.2, 3.28.4, 3.28.6, 3.28.9, 3.28.11, 3.28.13, 3.28.16 and 3.28.22 and to determine with BPCIC the final event formats, fees, charges and conditions as appropriate;

(3) That the Committee agrees that landlord’s consent may be withdrawn should BPCIC fail to comply with the conditions and recommendations as set out in the report,

(4) That the Committee agrees that, following past practice, a guarantee against damage to the park will be sought and evidence of adequate insurance cover will be required; and

(5) That the Committee delegates authority to the Assistant Chief Executive to agree any further necessary permissions associated with Pride events including finalising arrangements for the proposed community fund for Preston Park and the St James’ Street areas.

37.1    The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive explaining that Landlords consent had been granted to Pride CIC on 14th November 2013 for three years. Based on learning from this year’s Pride event (including a new format trialled to improve safety for the Pride Village Party in the St James’ Street area). This report set out further proposals aimed at strengthening Pride, improving community safety and increasing its contributions to local communities and the city as a whole.

37.2    it was explained that Landlord’s consent was being sought to stage Pride Festival activities in Preston Park and the Pride Village Party over the first weekend in August including delivery of the Pride Parade from Madeira Drive to Preston Park. This agreement would be for five successive years starting in 2015.

37.3    The Deputy Head of Law, Bob Bruce referred to the communication which had been e mailed to all Members of the Committee from the Head of Legal of a company which owned one of the public houses in the PVP area which raised various legal and other issues in relation to the event. He confirmed that none of the matters referred to were considered such that they could not be resolved, and that the council would not be acting ultra vires. All of the recommendations if agreed remained subject to a number of conditions and further negotiation and would be referred back to the Committee in the event of any problems.

37.4    The Head of Policy and Communities, Richard Butcher Tuset explained that the LGBT community had staged an annual Pride event in the city for over twenty years. Its history was diverse and it had grown with each successive event and generated an estimated £13.5 million for the city’s economy. Landlord’s consent had been granted to Pride CIC on 14 November 2013 for three years. Based on experience gained from the 2014 event (including a new format trailed to improve safety for the Pride Village Party in the St James’ Street area), it was proposed that Landlord’s consent be given to stage Pride Festival activities in Preston Park and the Pride Village Party over the first weekend in August including delivery of the Pride Parade from Madeira Drive to Preston Park. The agreement would be for five successive years starting in 2015.

37.5    The Head of Policy and Communities explained that permission for a period of five years would assist the organisers with their on-going and long term planning for the series of events over each Pride weekend in concert with other partners and agencies. Each event would be subject to conditions and guidance as detailed in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Purple Guide which set out the requirements that must be met and signed off by the responsible lead agency and, where applicable, the City Safety Advisory Group. In order to meet the requirements of the Outdoor Events Policy in relation to major events the event organisers would need to produce a comprehensive event plan. This would be subject to on-going and continuous review.

37.6    In answer to questions it was explained that notwithstanding the success of the event this year following a detailed feedback process further amendments would be made as a result of “lessons learned” including access for residents and businesses in the St James’ Street area and maintenance of public safety would remain paramount.

37.7    Councillor Brown commended the officer report which had detailed the arrangements made and the rationale for them and, also the hard work which had been undertaken by all parties to ensure that this year’s event had been safe and successful. Whilst recognising all of the hard work that had taken place Councillor Brown stated that she hoped that the event could become self-supporting in the longer term. It was confirmed that the organisers were actively working towards this.

37.8    Councillor Morgan whilst fully supporting the event had some concerns regarding the proposed use of Madeira Drive, with its easy access to the beach, as a decanting area as this could give rise to individuals using this area to continue to party and drink which would give rise to problems. Councillor Wealls considered that the terminology referring to the beach area for “decanting” was unfortunate, he considered that controlled means of dispersal were appropriate and commended all of the hard work that had been undertaken. Councillor Randall was in agreement.

37.9    Councillor Hawtree said that all involved with the event should be congratulated for their hard work in seeking to ensure that those attending all of the events remained safe. He considered that making the St James’ Street party glass free had contributed significantly to this.

39.10  Councillor Smith stated that he was glad that this report had been called for discussion as it had given members the opportunity to recognise the hard work carried out by all parties which had helped to ensure the success of this event which continued to improve year n year.

37.11  RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee grant Landlord’s consent for five successive years, commencing August 2015, to Brighton Pride Community Interest Company (BPCIC) to stage the Pride Parade through the city and a fenced and ticketed Pride Festival in Preston Park and Pride Village Party in the St James’ Street area, with all three elements subject to the conditions as set out in 3.28 and 3.29 - 3.33 of this report;

(2) That, subject to the standards and requirements referred to in paragraphs 3.29 to 3.33 being met and the appropriate documentation being produced, the Committee authorises the Assistant Chief Executive to implement the recommendations set out in 3.28.2, 3.28.4, 3.28.6, 3.28.9, 3.28.11, 3.28.13, 3.28.16 and 3.28.22 and to determine with BPCIC the final event formats, fees, charges and conditions as appropriate;

            (3) That the Committee agrees that landlord’s consent may be withdrawn should BPCIC fail to comply with the conditions and recommendations as set out in the report;

   (4) That the Committee agrees that, following past practice, a guarantee against damage to the park will be sought and evidence of adequate insurance cover will be required; and

   (5) That the Committee delegates authority to the Assistant Chief Executive to agree any further necessary permissions associated with Pride events including finalising arrangements for the proposed community fund for Preston Park and the St James’ Street areas.