Agenda item - Outdoor Events – Madeira Drive Road Closures 2020

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee grants Landlord’s consent for each of the proposed events on Madeira Drive and the associated road closures as listed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(2) That the committee authorises officers to enter into formal agreements with event organisers to determine conditions, fees and levels of support as appropriate, and requests an officer report to the next committee meeting that considers the implications of applying and Environmental Impact Charge to all commercial events in line with the decision made at the Tourism, Development and Culture and Culture Committee meeting on 7 March 2019;

(3) That the Committee authorises the Executive Director, Economy, Environment and Culture, after consultation with the Chair of the committee and opposition spokespersons, to make any alterations to the events programme as necessary and to approve new applications in accordance with the Outdoor Events Policy; and

(4) That the Committee requests that in light of this council’s pledge to become carbon neutral, that all new applications that involve the display or racing of vehicles with a combustion engine are brought item by item to committee for consideration.

27.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy Environment and Culture seeking approval from members for landlord’s consent for each of the proposed events on Madeira Drive in 2020 and the associated road closures.

27.2    It was noted that Madeira Drive was a very important venue for events in the city as they drew residents and visitors and its use extended the seafront offer both geographically and seasonally as events were held throughout the year.

27.3    It was noted that a Green Group amendment had been received in the following terms:

            To amend recommendations 2.2 and 2.3 and to add recommendation 2.4 as shown below in bold italics

2.2 That the committee authorises officers to enter into formal agreements with event organisers to determine conditions, fees and levels of support as appropriate, and welcome the scheduled officer report to the next committee meeting that considers the implications of applying an Environmental Impact Charge to all commercial events in line with the decision made at the Tourism, Development & Culture Committee meeting on 7 March 2019.

2.3 That the committee authorises the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture, after consultation with the Chair of the committee and opposition spokespersons, to make any alterations to the events programme as necessary and to approve new applications in accordance with the Outdoor Events Policy, and:

2.4 That the committee requests that in light of this council’s pledge to become carbon neutral, that all new applications that involve the display or racing of vehicles with a combustion engine are brought item by item to committee for

27.4    The proposed amendment had been proposed by Councillor Rainey and seconded by Councillor Ebel and they spoke in support of their proposed amendments. It was stressed that whilst not against events involving vehicles with internal combustion engines they did consider that issues relating to the climate emergency did need to be addressed.

27.5    The Chair stated that due to deadlines in processing applications it may not always be possible for applications to cone to Committee direct and it might be necessary for them to be dealt with under urgency powers. He was also of the view that with increased use of electrically powered vehicles, the number of such applications was likely to abate.

27.6    Councillors, Nemeth Mears and Simon stated that they did not feel able to support the proposed amendment. Events on Madeira Drive generated a lot of interest in the city and generated income for local businesses and it would be a mistake to potentially alienate individuals, the city needed to be inclusive.

27.7    RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee grants Landlord’s consent for each of the proposed events on Madeira Drive and the associated road closures as listed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(2) That the committee authorises officers to enter into formal agreements with event organisers to determine conditions, fees and levels of support as appropriate, and requests an officer report to the next committee meeting that considers the implications of applying and Environmental Impact Charge to all commercial events in line with the decision made at the Tourism, Development and Culture and Culture Committee meeting on 7 March 2019;

(3) That the Committee authorises the Executive Director, Economy, Environment and Culture, after consultation with the Chair of the committee and opposition spokespersons, to make any alterations to the events programme as necessary and to approve new applications in accordance with the Outdoor Events Policy; and

(4) That the Committee requests that in light of this council’s pledge to become carbon neutral, that all new applications that involve the display or racing of vehicles with a combustion engine are brought item by item to committee for consideration.