Government proposals to scrap useless and time-consuming regulations that hinder community groups from organising local events have been welcomed by the council that first suggested stripping away unnecessary red tape.
In September 2010, flagship local authority, Hammersmith & Fulham Council published a list of 105 ways for central government to deliver more for less during the age of austerity by removing pointless layers of bureaucracy.
Many of those suggestions were centred around simplifying the Licensing Act 2003.
The act states that small groups need to have the correct paperwork if they want to arrange private events where a charge is made to raise money for charity, school plays and productions, Punch and Judy performances and even magician’s shows.
Now a Government consultation is asking residents what they think about consigning this 'ball and chain' of regulatory burdens to the scrap heap once and for all and to remove the need for a licence from as many types of entertainment as possible.
At the moment, the law and regulations which require some types of entertainment to be licensed are muddled. For example, a licence is needed if someone wants to put on an opera but not if you want to organise a stock car race. A folk duo performing in the corner of a village pub needs permission, but the big screen broadcast of an England football match to a packed barn-like city centre pub does not.
Cllr Harry Phibbs, cabinet member for community engagement, said:
“This is a golden opportunity to do away with the ridiculous regulations that mean that community groups have to spend more of their valuable time obtaining the correct licences than on actually organising events and raising money. These pointless laws soaks up their energy and time and the application fees cost them money too. Deregulation would give more power to local groups and would let them focus on organising truly fantastic community events.
“Billions of pounds could be wiped off our debt by taking a common sense approach and scrapping stupid regulations such as these that cost the taxpayer a small fortune. At the moment we are charging groups to apply for a license and then paying bureaucrats to sift through the information. Removing these silly regulations would help the nation during these tough financial times and give the Big Society a shot in the arm too.”
Two local groups have spoken in favour of the proposals.
Alex Kennaugh of the Friends of South Park said:
“I look forward to the day when these ridiculous regulations no longer exist! It is a real effort for us to organise any kind of community event because there is so much bureaucracy and red tape for us to work through – especially if we want music at the event.
"Our events committee arrange lots of events and licensing is always the problem area. In fact, we have decided that we will not have any music at our forthcoming Harvest Festival because it is so difficult to organise the correct licence. In the past we have tended to spend more time organising the correct licence that actually fundraising. If some of these ridiculous regulations could be removed it would certainly make our lives a lot easier.”
Harry Audley, Chairman of the White City Residents’ Association, said:
“Having been involved in a wide range of community organisations over the years, it is clear that voluntary groups in particular find it increasingly difficult to turn their ideas in to reality, whether these are small events, projects or local initiatives. Whilst most of us understand the need for controls and safeguards these need to be balanced against the inhibiting effect that it can have on communities."
The Friends of South Park Harvest Festival takes place on Saturday, October 29, from 12noon to 3pm with plenty of events for all of the family. The event will conclude with a parade from Clancarty Road to Wandsworth Bridge Road.
To respond to the consultation visit the DfCMS website .
View H&F Council’s proposals on cutting red tape
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