Issue - meetings

The report sets out a new Outdoor Events Policy and proposes new standardised fees and charges to provide a singular clear framework for professional and community event organisers.

Background:

The report proposed the adoption of a new Outdoor Events Policy and proposed new standardised fees and charges.

The report explained that outdoor events in Medway were currently managed by the services responsible for the various areas of land across Medway e.g. Norse Greenspaces, Heritage Team and the Town Centre Management Team. Each service had its own set of criteria for allowing an event to happen. Fees, charges, and processes could vary significantly and the support that event organisers would receive differed depending on the skills and experience of officers in each team.

This new policy brought all outdoor events under a single standardised framework for professional and community event organisers that would support the coordinated growth of outdoor events across Medway. This new policy also recognised the changes required as a result of Martyn’s Law and also encompassed the RSPCA Pets for Prizes recommendations.

The report had previously been considered by the Cabinet on 8 August 2023, the decisions of which were set out at section 6 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken in relation to the Policy, details of which were set out in Appendix 4 to the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Leisure, Councillor Mahil, supported by Councillor Hamandishe, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decision:

The Council approved the Medway Outdoor Events fees and charges, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

Background:

The report proposed the adoption of a new Outdoor Events Policy and proposed new standardised fees and charges.

The report explained that outdoor events in Medway were currently managed by the services responsible for the various areas of land across Medway e.g. Norse Greenspaces, Heritage Team and the Town Centre Management Team. Each service had its own set of criteria for allowing an event to happen. Fees, charges, and processes could vary significantly and the support that event organisers would receive differed depending on the skills and experience of officers in each team.

This new policy brought all outdoor events under a single standardised framework for professional and community event organisers that would support the coordinated growth of outdoor events across Medway. This new policy also recognised the changes required as a result of Martyn’s Law and also encompassed the RSPCA Pets for Prizes recommendations.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken in relation to the Policy, details of which were set out in Appendix 4 to the report.

Reasons:

This new policy will view all outdoor events across Medway under a single standardised framework that will support the coordinated growth of outdoor events across Medway.