Agenda item

This report sets out a response to an issue raised by Councillor Patterson concerning the ban on alcohol being brought into the Rochester Castle Concerts.

Discussion:

With the agreement of the Committee, Councillor Paterson outlined the reason for his Member’s item concerning the decision to ban alcohol being brought into the Rochester Castle Concerts in 2018, with the exception of the Proms Concert.

He stated that his concern was not about individuals’ right to consume alcohol, but the lack of rationale for the different treatment of concert goers attending the Castle Concerts and why the ban had been introduced in 2018. In his view, the ban on alcohol being brought into the concerts, with the exception of the Proms Concert, was inconsistent and the only difference appeared to be that the public were admitted to the Proms at an earlier time of day.

He expressed concern that the decision was being made for financial reasons, as opposed to health and safety and that those individuals attending the ‘pop’ concerts were being treated differently.

He expressed concern that paragraph 5.5 of the report recognised potential discrimination from the inconsistency in the treatment of prom goers and pop music fans and he questioned why pop concerts could not also be classified as ‘picnic concerts’.

The Assistant Director Physical and Cultural Regeneration informed the Committee that the difference in classification of the type of concert held at Rochester Castle was from the Safety Advisory Group which comprised of the Police, Health and Safety representatives and Security Companies involved in the event. Such classification was considered necessary having regard to incidents at the pop concerts held at Rochester Castle over the past few years, whereas the Proms event had proceeded without cause for concern.

The terms and conditions of the sale of tickets to the Castle Concerts had been strengthened over the past two years to restrict the type of items that could be brought into the concerts and in 2017 no glass was permitted to be brought into the concerts other than in pressurised bottles.

The restriction imposed in 2018 was also in line with policies imposed at other pop concerts held at similar locations outside of Medway.

The Assistant Director Physical and Cultural Regeneration drew attention to paragraph 5.3 of the report, which set out the potential risks of allowing members of the public to attend concerts with their own alcoholic beverages, including the risk of terror related injury through the concealment of liquid explosives or other dangerous substances in non-transparent beverage containers.

The Committee discussed the report and the points raised by Councillor Paterson and the Assistant Director Physical and Cultural Regeneration.

A Member stated that treating the Proms event differently to the other Castle Concerts was inconsistent and it was clear from the views expressed by local residents and on social media that there was a perception of class distinction, despite this not being the Council’s intention.

He expressed concern that the decision to impose a restriction on alcohol being brought into the Castle Concerts, other than the Proms Concert, was alienating residents and could result in a decline in ticket sales and it could make the event unaffordable for some residents. There was also no guarantee that the restriction would address anti-social behaviour at the concerts, as people could consume alcohol before attending the event.

In response, the Assistant Director Physical and Cultural Regeneration provided an assurance that management had the right to refuse entry to the Castle Concerts should an individual arrive at the gates inebriated.

In response to a question as to the anticipated financial income from the sale of alcohol at the Castle Concerts, the Assistant Director Physical and Cultural Regeneration advised that he did not have to hand the anticipated income from bar concessions. The Director Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation and Deputy Chief Executive advised that the Rochester Castle Concerts operated on a ‘break even’ basis. He added that the Castle Concerts were prestige events in Medway’s Cultural Calendar and the decision to ban alcohol from being brought into the Pop Concerts had not been taken lightly. However, this had been considered necessary in the light of the professional advice received.

In response to a question as to legal liability, the Director Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation and Deputy Chief Executive confirmed that the Council would be legally liable should it decide to ignore the advice of the Safety Advisory Group in the staging of the Castle Concerts.

A Member stated that if the Council was to ban alcohol being brought into the Castle Concerts, then such ban should also be extended to cover the Proms event, so as to ensure a consistent approach.

The Assistant Director Physical and Cultural Regeneration reiterated that the Police had advised that they had no objection to alcohol being brought into the Proms Concert, as this event was regarded as a ‘picnic’ concert, did not provide a crowd issue and no previous incidents had been recorded at these particular concerts.

A Member suggested that a copy of the professional advice be circulated to all Members of the Committee via a Briefing Note.

The Director Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation and Deputy Chief Executive informed the Committee that this particular Member’s item had been included on the agenda at short notice so as to ensure consideration in advance of the Castle Concerts and that the report had provided a response to the issues raised. He noted Members’ requests to have sight of the information received by officers that had underpinned the decision to ban individuals from bringing alcohol into the Castle Concerts and he gave an undertaking to provide a copy of this information. He reiterated that the decision to ban alcohol being brought into the Castle Concerts, with the exception of the Proms Concert, had been based on the professional advice received from the Safety Advisory Group, taking into account previous incidents at the ‘pop’ concerts and he reassured the Committee that had such advice been given in previous years, the ban would have been implemented earlier.

Following discussion, a Member proposed that officers be requested to reconsider the decision to ban alcohol being brought into the 2018 Castle Concerts, with the exception of the Proms Concert, and consider the Health and Safety implications of the professional advice received and look at other possible measures to manage risks and find a way to proactively continue the policy that has existed in previous years, so as to ensure consistency.

On being put to the vote, this did not receive the support of the Committee. 

Decision:

The Committee:

a)            thanked Councillor Paterson for his Member’s item.

b)            noted that the position for the 2018 Castle Concerts remain unchanged.

c)            noted that the Director Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation and Deputy Chief Executive will provide a copy of the Safety Advisory Group’s advice to all Members of the Committee.

d)            noted that information will be supplied direct to the Member concerned on the anticipated income levels received from the bar concessions, subject to such information not being commercially sensitive.