Decision details

Matter for Decision

In March 2016 the Executive Councillor for Communities took a decision to cancel the funfair at Midsummer Fair. In a debate on the issue at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Council on 26 May 2016, the Council agreed that proposals for the 2017 event should be brought forward for discussion and approval at the Community Services Scrutiny Committee. Cambridge Live has now considered options for the 2017 event, discussed these with stakeholders and taken into account their feedback. Council officers were supportive of the final proposals. 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Communities

Agreed the arrangements proposed by Cambridge Live and supported by officers for the Midsummer Fair 2017.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Head of Community Services.

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

       i.          The Council needed to manage residents’ expectations as it was trying to cut car usage in the city, but at the same time was providing car parking facilities for Midsummer Fair 2017.

     ii.          Blue badge holders would want to use the Fair car park as well as Travellers.

The Head of Community Services and Cambridge Live Head of Events said the following in response to Members’ questions:

       i.          There would be one footpath closure and some intermittent ones in the market area and car park. Intermittent closures would be phased to avoid peak travel times.

     ii.          It was inevitable that the event infrastructure needed to manage events safely incurred costs. The City Council would discuss these with event providers and aim to minimise these for all parties. Officers were not in a position to give details of the final financial arrangements for next year’s event at present, but could provide them upon request to committee members at a later stage.

   iii.          It was impracticable to not provide a car park at the event. The car park was an important source of revenue. Participants travelled from across the country and the car park would be an integral part of the event.

   iv.          The car parking plan for the event was the same as in previous years.

The Committee resolved by 6 votes to 0 to endorse the recommendation.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.