Agenda item

A Member asked for an update on the legal advice being sought on using the highway for sporting purposes. An Officer stated that the advice was expected imminently. Members would then be updated as would the applicant who had triggered this and the Destination City team. The Officer added that if an event lasted up to three days, it sat within existing legislation. The Officer stated that if the advice gave freedom of action, there would be a process for evaluating and giving permission and this would depend on the advice of the City Solicitor. One of the challenges could be that Officers might not have that delegated authority to approve events, which could then require Officers to seek delegation from the Sub-Committee or for the Sub-Committee to become an approving authority. Work would take place to consider the benefits and disbenefits of each request. A Member stated that many of the events were being funded by Business Improvement Districts and third-parties and event organisers would need sufficient notice to run events in Summer 2024.

The Chairman stated that the heat map was a good way to evaluate the impact in terms of benefits and disbenefits and meeting Destination City objectives could be added into the model.

The Officer stated that once the legal advice had been received and considered, Members of the Sub-Committee would be advised of the process and way forward.

The Officer confirmed that screens were covered under an existing licensing process.

A Member commented on riverside lights which were not working. An Officer stated this would be looked into and Officers would try and resolve the power issue with Network Rail.