Agenda item - Review of the Pride Village Party

Report of the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods Communities and Housing

1)           That following the outcome of the consultation and the concerns raised by statutory agencies, the Committee agree not to move the Pride Village Party from its current location in the St James’ Street area

2)           That the Committee agree to the event continuing to be run by the Brighton Pride Community Interest Company (BPCIC).

3)           That the Committee delegates authority to the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods Communities and Housing to negotiate and grant landlord’s consent for the event when the current consent ends in 2020.

73.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that set out the results of the consultation and review of the Pride Village Party following the agreement to do so in response to a deputation received by Full Council in April 2018.

73.2      Referring to page 45 of the agenda, Councillor Nemeth noted that the Kingscliffe Society had provided a series of requests to improve the event. Councillor Nemeth explained that whilst his personal view was that the PVP remained in its current location, the requests were straightforward and easily resolvable.

73.3      The Events Manager stated that officers could work with Pride organisers to ensure the specific matters were addressed.

73.4      Councillor Mears stated that there appeared to be a lack of accountability on the matter and the PVP processes needed to be improve in order to address residents’ complaints.

73.5      Councillor Platts stated that she was in support of the PVP remaining in St James’ Street as the area was at the heart of the gay community. Councillor Platts stated that if the PVP was moved, it was likely that the local independent traders would lose out. Councillor Platts added that she lived near to St James’ Street and visited the PVP each year and did not recognise many of the statements made. Councillor Platts stated that the event always appeared well-organised and issues addressed where they arose.

73.6      Councillor Druitt stated that the PVP was at the heart of the city’s gay community although many important points had been raised in the consultation. Councillor Druitt asked if local police officers could be used for security of the event as they would have a better knowledge of the city than those from elsewhere, if wristband policies and procedures could be improved in relation to residents’ access to their homes and that every effort was made to ensure the street was cleaned quickly.

73.7      The Head of Safer Communities answered that the issue of local police officers was certainly something that could be discussed with Sussex Police and wristband policies and procedures would be discussed with Pride CiC. The matter of street cleaning was a matter kept under regular review with colleagues in Cityclean.

73.8      Councillor Miller stated that he was similarly in agreement that the PVP should remain in its current location however, there were areas for improvement such as toilet and bin provision. Referring to recommendation 2.3, Councillor Miller asked for what timescale event consent would be given.

73.9      The Head of Safer Communities confirmed that consent would be for a limited period and conditional as with any event hosted in the city.

73.10   Councillor Marsh stated that the St James’ Street PVP was an important part in the history of Brighton & Hove and the measures put into place had ensured that the event was properly managed. Councillor Marsh stated that the PVP was a large event and it could be expected that not everything would go to plan. Councillor Marsh noted that for surveillance purposes, not all security personnel were dressed in high visibility clothing. Councillor Marsh stated that she was very much in support of the PVP remaining in its current location.

73.11   Councillor Norman agreed that the Pride CiC did very well in organising the entire event. Councillor Norman noted the concerns made in the deputation regarding refuse collection and asked for assurance that the allegations were misplaced.

73.12   The Events Manager stated that the Pride event was the single most scrutinised event and thoroughly reviewed on an operational and safety advisory level and every issue and all feedback considered. The Head of Safer Communities supplemented that contact details were provided to residents to ensure any incidents or complaints could be properly reported and addressed as quickly as possible.

73.13   Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that he knew several people who lived in the area and all of them looked forward to the PVP event every year and their view was that a number of the points made in the deputation were not accurate. Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that he had attend the PVP event and seen for himself that that there were refuse collectors on site and representatives from Pride CiC and council officers in attendance. Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that the inaccurate representations potentially derailed from the more pertinent issues of how to make the event safer, better and more inclusive. Councillor Mac Cafferty added that his one criticism of the Pride event was the considerable use of single use plastics and much more thought was required as to how waste could be reduced.

73.14   RESOLVED-

1)           That following the outcome of the consultation and the concerns raised by statutory agencies, the Committee agree not to move the Pride Village Party from its current location in the St James’ Street area

2)           That the Committee agree to the event continuing to be run by the Brighton Pride Community Interest Company (BPCIC).

3)           That the Committee delegates authority to the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods Communities and Housing to negotiate and grant landlord’s consent for the event when the current consent ends in 2020.