Memorandum by Islington Council (TF 69)
Funfairs have operated for a number of years
on many sites within Islington, these being: Highbury Fields,
Whittington Park, Caledonian Park and Islington Green. The Council
has a policy where some sites have a limited number of events,
which includes funfairs. Islington has very few green spaces and,
as such, the majority of larger events have gone through local
consultation with resident groups or neighbourhood forums.
Whilst the funfairs seem to be well received
at Whittington Park and Caledonian Park, for a limited time, Highbury
Fields and Islington Green are always contentious with local residents
and have received fierce opposition. It is with the residents/police
in mind that we often base our final decision, a decision which
is incidentally formalised with the Chair of what was previously
called Leisure Services Committee and now Environment and Conservation
Committee.
Of the two sites, Islington Green is the most
contentious with police and local residents. The funfair operated
by Mr Biddall has been allowed on the site in previous years,
with resident and police opposition coming to a head in the winter
of 1999 and thus Mr Biddall's Funfair was refused, but he was
offered alternative locations which he declined. Despite the financial
"offer" made by Mr Biddall for the Mayor's Charity,
it was seen that local and police concerns should now take priority.
We had this year allowed for funfairs to use
Whittington Park. However, the Showman's Guild applied pressure
on the funfair to pull out due to the fact that the site had previously
been used by another operator two years ago.
As a final point, funfairs and circuses are
very much treated on a first come first served basis, in line
with the attached policy[13]
and with residents being fully consulted. As was found above,
if strong but relevant opposition occurs, then the funfair will
be declined.
Paula Claytonsmith
Client Services Manager (Parks & Contracts—Greenspace
Team)
13 Ev. not printed. For further information please
contact Islington Council, Greenspace Division, Parks and Contracts. Back
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