The Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Leisure, Councillor Emily Arkell, approved conditional, in-principle agreements for funfairs to be held in Finsbury Park and Ducketts Common between 2024 and 2028. The decision was made following a review of applications from Manning's Amusements Limited and consideration of the Council's Outdoor Events Policy.

Park Hire Applications for Funfairs in Finsbury Park and Ducketts Common 2024-2028

Councillor Emily Arkell authorised the Director of Environment and Resident Experience to grant conditional, in-principle approval for Manning's Amusements Limited to hire Finsbury Park and Ducketts Common for funfairs annually between 2024 and 2028. This includes two funfairs in Finsbury Park (Easter and summer) and one in Ducketts Common (summer), each lasting approximately 17 days for Finsbury Park and 10 days for Ducketts Common, including build and break periods. The decision also agreed to the park hire terms and conditions, provided the Director was satisfied with the proposed agreements.

The decision was made under the Council's Outdoor Events Policy, which requires Cabinet Member agreement for events lasting more than seven days or occupying a site for more than 14 days, including setup and breakdown. The report highlighted that rejecting the applications would negatively impact the Parks & Leisure Service budget and reduce opportunities for reinvestment in the parks, as well as foregoing wider cultural and economic benefits to the borough.

Extensive consultation was undertaken with stakeholders, including Friends Groups, Ward Councillors, and statutory bodies. Notably, no feedback was received from stakeholders during the consultation period for these applications. An Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) was conducted, identifying potential negative impacts on individuals with disabilities and women with young children due to the temporary closure of a section of carriageway in Finsbury Park. However, the assessment concluded that these impacts could be mitigated through measures such as providing alternative accessible routes, clear signage, and maintaining access to 96% of Finsbury Park and all facilities in Ducketts Common. The EQIA also noted that the revenue generated from these events has previously supported local groups, including Pedal Power, a cycling proficiency trainer for young people with disabilities.

The report also addressed legal precedents, referencing a High Court challenge regarding the Council's powers to permit events in open spaces, confirming the Council's authority to grant such permissions. The decision was deemed non-key as it was not expected to incur significant expenditure or have a significant impact on communities across multiple wards.