Briefing Paper Private Events

Events Policy Consultation Document

Barnet council are seeking to adopt a new policy for events in the boroughs parks in order to provide a coherent set of rules and a pricing system for a whole host of different types of events. However, the policy includes the use of parks and openspaces for private events, for which there is no legal power to provide. In order to enact this policy, it is necessary to satisfy the legal requirements bestowed on a local authority by government with regard to parks and openspaces. Whilst there are no specific laws or legislation that dictates the council cannot use parks to host private events or functions, neither is there a power that local authorities can rely on to do so. Therefore if the council was to allow such events to take place it would be at risk. In order to assess and limit this risk to enable private events to take place it is recommended that consultation on the policy with a focus on private events would reduce the risk of a legal challenge, and if the event of one reduce the risk to the Council as it has demonstrated a clear and reasonable process in determining that private events can take place in pre-determined locations that have been consulted on. On this basis it is suggested that the following methodology is applied to seek an overall consensus and accept the events policy. It is hoped that a successful outcome following consultation will go some way to mitigate any legal risks that may have been identified. An outline plan is set out below: 1. Liaise with the councils legal department in order to fully understand the risks, if any, of adopting the events policy and to identify any mitigating actions the council could conduct to ease the concerns that have been raised on the basis of the following. 2. Identify up to 7 parks located in the borough that are suitable for hosting private events particularly weddings and ensure that there is sufficient space/facilities available for a designated area in each of the parks. 3. Publish the agreed draft strategy on the councils consultation portal for a period of time. The results of which will be analysed and incorporated into the policy document where appropriate. 4. Publish alongside the policy on the portal the locations including site plans, which are proposed for private events. 5. Consult directly with local residents surrounding the parks and place notices of the same in each park including plans. The feedback will be analysed and concerns/issues addressed where possible. If there is significant resistance and/or issues that cannot be reduced this will need to be considered. 6. If required, conduct individual consultative event workshops with individual stakeholders and residents to address any site specific concerns they may have about private/commercial events being held regularly in their local park. 7. Advance warning notices to be placed in parks before a private event is to take place.