The volunteers behind Corstorphine Fair have warned the council that their event, and others like it, are under threat due to rising costs of licensing fees.
The people who know the processes of organising community events have also said that administrative demands have also threatened sustainability of such events.
It is becoming increasingly complex to run them and sustain them despite the fact that the events themselves are supposed to benefit the community.
Their own fair is under such threat that they have begun a public fundraiser.
This year alone, the Corstorphine Fair has already incurred or expects to incur:
- Over £200 for public entertainment license
- A potential £1,500 park bond
- More than £300 for a Section 89 stage licence
- Significant Market Operator’s Licence costs, including a late application surcharge
- Separate Public Entertainment and amusement device licensing requirements for the funfair
Alongside the financial burden, organisers say the amount of unpaid administrative work now required from volunteers has increased substantially.
Requirements associated with organising the event now include:
- Event Management Plans
- Maximum capacity and evacuation plans
- Risk Assessments and Fire Risk Assessments
- Stewarding plans
- Weather management procedures
- Medical and toilet provision assessments against The Purple Guide
- Electrical safety certification
- Missing child and vulnerable persons procedures
- ADIPS/PIPA certification and safety documentation for rides and inflatables
- Section 89 permits for temporary structures
- Public safety inspections and final sign-offs
Ewan Irvine, one of the volunteer organisers behind the Corstorphine Fair, said:
“Most people attending community fairs simply see a local day out for families, but behind the scenes there is now a huge amount of unpaid work, paperwork and cost involved.
We absolutely support public safety and understand the need for appropriate regulation, but there has to be a more proportionate and practical approach for volunteer-run community events.
The concern is that the cumulative effect of rising costs, overlapping licences and increasing bureaucracy from the council could eventually make many traditional community fairs financially or practically unsustainable.”
The fair organisers say they support public safety measures, but feel the council is overbearing in the case of events which are longstanding. They also criticise the local authority which appears to change its requirements and interpretations of guidance regularly.
Mr Irvine added: “Most people attending community fairs simply see a local day out for families, but behind the scenes there is now a huge amount of unpaid work, paperwork and cost involved.
“We absolutely support public safety and understand the need for appropriate regulation, but there has to be a more proportionate and practical approach for volunteer-run community events.
“The concern is that the cumulative effect of rising costs, overlapping licences and increasing bureaucracy from the council could eventually make many traditional community fairs financially or practically unsustainable.”
The representatives of the fair organising committee have contacted local politicians to ask for a wider review of regulations, ensuring public safety while reducing unsustainable burdens on such volunteer-run events.
