Memorandum by Liverpool City Council (TF
41)
I am writing further to your letter of 10 February
in respect of Travelling Funfairs and have appended below information
in respect of and in the same order as the five points raised
in the Press Notice.
1. THE CONTINUED
VALUE OF
HISTORIC TRAVELLING
FUNFAIRS;
Liverpool City Council hosts 12 travelling funfairs
each year and that number if likely to rise next year.
Funfairs remain a popular attraction in the
City whether they are sited in the City Centre or in parks. Funfairs
in the main "stand alone" but on a number of occasions
are used to enhance major events including the annual Fireworks
Displays on 5 November.
Visits by the funfairs are in the main of four
days duration the reason for this is to keep disruption to local
residents to a minimum.
The funfairs are of varying size and the income
derived is part of the Directorate's budgeted income that supports
the annual sports and cultural events programme.
A large funfair with big rides such as a big
wheel and or a roller coaster does require longer visits due to
the cost and effort required in building the ride.
In the main the funfairs attract a family attendance
although in some areas of the city in the hours after dark young
people are the main users of the funfairs.
2. THE PROVISION
OF SITES
FOR TRAVELLING
FUNFAIRS;
Liverpool has traditionally based funfairs in
parks but in recent years there has been a demand for funfairs
in the city centre and these take place on hard standing.
A number of new sites have been identified in
recent years and it is these sites which have created local difficulties.
In one or two instances local residents have complained and have
had Council decisions overturned to prevent funfairs being sited
in parks near their homes.
In terms of volumes of complaints there were
in 1999 some five letters of complaint and approximately eight
telephone complaints received in respect of the funfairs.
Sites are chosen which are distant from houses
but it is becoming increasingly difficult as public open space
is disposed of to find appropriate sites.
The legal agreement between the City Council
and the funfair proprietor ensures that the cost of any reinstatement
to land that may be needed as a result of the visit of a funfair
may be claimed from the funfair proprietor.
3. THE PARTICULAR
NEEDS OF
TRAVELLING SHOW
PEOPLE;
The site should have an adequate water supply.
Temporary barrier fencing for funfairs has been introduced to
great effect in the City and has resulted in very little incidence
of disorder. There are primarily two funfair proprietors who operate
in the City and the number of incidents in terms of public behaviour
and safety issues are few.
4. THE EFFECTIVENESS
OF EXISTING
PLANNING GUIDANCE
ON THE
PROVISION OF
QUARTERS FOR
TRAVELLING SHOW
PEOPLE;
On all sites in Liverpool the living quarters
of travelling show people are situated in close proximity to the
funfair.
I am in this instance drawing a distinction
between travelling show people and travellers in general.
5. IS ANY
ACTION NECESSARY
TO ENSURE
THAT APPROPRIATE
REGARD IS
HAD TO
THE NEEDS
OF TRAVELLING
SHOW PEOPLE
WITHIN THE
PLANNING SYSTEM?
I am not aware of any special needs within the
planning system with regard to the needs of travelling show people.
The evidence is that in our view the living
quarters of show people concerned with up to 50 rides and 20 stalls
may be accommodated without special provision being made.
I trust this information is useful, the only
other point I would wish to add is that the Health and Safety
Executive and the emergency services particularly Merseyside Police
are informed of the funfair programme and are involved in the
planning process.
Judith Feather
Events Manager
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