Issue - items at meetings - Major Events - Consents

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (copy attached)

RESOLVED – (1) That events described in paragraph 3.8 of the report and below are granted landlord’s consent for the terms identified;

(2) That consent is provided for the associated road closures on Madeira Drive; and

(3) That officers are authorised to enter into formal agreements with event organisers to determine conditions including fees, levels of support, event locations, event routes, and event management plans as appropriate.

40.1         The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive seeking approval to grant longer term approvals for a number of major events as set out in the report.

40.2    The Head of Tourism and Leisure explained that event organisers would still need to meet statutory requirements e.g. licensing as appropriate. It was important however to recognise that these events brought significant benefits to the City in terms of sport, culture, tourism and employment. The recommendations set out in the report sought to facilitate the ability for these events to develop and to increase the range of benefits that they brought to the city. It was considered that this would be enhanced through granting longer term commitments than was currently contained in annual cycles of permissions.

40.3    The Head of Tourism and Leisure stated that it was proposed that the following events be granted consent for the period identified:

·        Brighton Marathon (5 Years. 2014 – 2018 inclusive);

·        Sussex Beacon Half Marathon (5 Years. 2014 – 2018 inclusive);

·        BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride (3 Years. 2014 – 2016 inclusive);

·        BHF London to Brighton Night Ride (3 Years. 2014 – 2016 inclusive); and

·        Screen on the Beach (3 years. 2014 – 2016 inclusive).

40.4    Councillor Brown stated that she supported the approach suggested which represented a sensible way forward although she enquired why a period of three years had been suggested for some events and five for others. The Head of Tourism and Leisure explained that the proposed time frames had been arrived at following detailed discussions with the event organisers and also reflected those events which were held solely within the city boundary and others which started outside the city.

40.5    Councillor K Norman enquired whether there were likely to be other events for which longer consents would be required. The Head of Tourism and Leisure replied that this could be the case in future as the length of permission granted would be kept under review. It was important to note that all of the planning/health and safety and other requirements needed to be met for each individual event on an annual basis irrespective of the period of time for which permission had been granted.

40.6    The Head of Tourism and Leisure also explained that the City Safety Advisory Group had an overview of all the major events that took place in the city that had the potential to attract significantly large numbers of people. A protocol and good working partnerships between the council and emergency services were in place in the city and these were integral to both the planning and delivery of events. Where required, specific Safety Advisory Groups were convened for any major event taking place in the city. Sussex Police were involved in both the planning and consultation on all major events

40.6    RESOLVED – (1) That events described in paragraph 3.8 of the report and below are granted landlord’s consent for the terms identified;

(2) That consent is provided for the associated road closures on Madeira Drive; and

(3) That officers are authorised to enter into formal agreements with event organisers to determine conditions including fees, levels of support, event locations, event routes, and event management plans as appropriate.