Red tape is cut for Cannock carnival organisers
Carnivals, fetes and street markets will be easier for the public to arrange across parts of Staffordshire after red tape was cut to remove obstacles for organisers.
Cannock Chase District Council has amended its street trading policy after a number of events struggled to get off the ground because of bureaucracy.
The events will still need to have permission from the authority but organisers will not face as many hurdles, bosses said. Councillors have agreed to cut the bureaucracy despite objections from the Friends of Cannock Park Association.
The group has concerns that the changes will mean public safety would be compromised.
The policy came into force in April 2012 to regulate street trading after fears were raised about the size, location, appearance and number of street traders in Cannock and across the district.
Christine Salmon, a member of the association, said the group had helped create the street trading policy but had been given no chance to input on the changes.
She said: "Above all, it is the safety of the public we are concerned about. We helped create the policy to protect members of the public, and we are disappointed we were not asked for our thoughts prior to the changes. The council says that the same standards will have to be kept to, but we are not totally sure on that."
Councillor Carl Bennett, portfolio leader for the environment, proposed the changes after complaints that it was too difficult to organise events which had been affected by the policy.
Councillor Christine Mitchell welcomed the move. She said: "Organisers have faced a rigmarole to get events off the ground. We all want to see community events in places such as our parks so this will help our communities do that."
Councillor George Adamson, leader of the controlling Labour group, said the changes were 'minor' and would benefit event organisers.
A report to councillors states that proper regulation of street trading will be maintained.
Councillor Paul Snape, leader of the Conservative opposition party, called for a consultation to be held with groups such as the Friends of Cannock Park Association. He said: "I don't think it is a minor amendment to the policy. We should go back to a full public consultation."
