Bristol Labour Councillors have called an Extraordinary Meeting to consider the future of controversial 'Parks Business Licences'. The recently introduced scheme has seen dog-walkers, walking groups, and even choirs for parents of newborn babies charged to use Bristol's parks and green spaces.
Despite the controversial nature of the new licences, they have not been endorsed nor signed-off by a Policy Committee - a constitutional requirement for decisions affecting two or more wards.
Since the implementation of the new licensing scheme was announced, Labour Councillors have been contacted by many businesses, residents, and community groups raising issues over the policy and its implementation.
Given the significant concerns expressed by the public both prior to the roll out and since it came into force earlier this month, Labour has concluded that this must now be considered in public at a meeting of the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee.
Some Green Party Councillors have raised concerns about the licences, but strangely, have not used their position running the administration to change the policy. This Extraordinary Meeting will give the coalition administration the opportunity to scrap the scheme.
Labour is calling for the meeting to cover at a minimum:
The Parks Business Licence Policy framework, including but not limited to: 'Parks Business Licensing Terms and Conditions' and 'Parks Business Licensing Code of Conduct'. The fees and charges regime. The application process, including but not limited to: number of applications received, number of applications approved, average processing time, any issues that may have arisen since implementation like the approval of risk assessments. Full detail on the engagement carried out with affected residents and organisations, along with the feedback received. Options on the way forward for the committee to debate and make a binding decision on. As a minimum, these should include:
Scrapping of Parks Business Licences A pause on its implementation pending a full review Retaining the existing scheme
Speaking about it, Councillor Carole Johnson, Labour Vice Chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee, said:
"There has been public uproar about the Green / Lib Dem decision to undemocratically impose excessive charges on Bristol's small businesses. This clearly is a controversial issue, the least the public deserve is for their elected representatives to discuss it more thoroughly. Since the Committee System was introduced, a committee has not considered it once. There is a clear democratic deficit here.
"There are obvious inconsistencies between different businesses facing charges, a lack of evidence as to how the charges were decided, and rules and regulations that businesses view as unnecessary.
"Residents and businesses of Bristol already pay a significant level of tax to maintain our city's parks. Charges, on top of tax, seems excessive. Scrapping the charges is ultimately a decision for the Green / Lib Dem administration; this Extraordinary Meeting will give them the opportunity to do so.
"We know this has been discussed in private meetings with only Green and Liberal Democrat Policy Committee Chairs present, yet they have proceeded anyway. The Committee system promised transparency, accountability, and accessibility for the public. All three of the principles have been sorely lacking in this debacle."
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For further enquiries, please contact:
Jake Clough Political Assistant - Bristol Labour Group 07776835052 City Hall, Bristol
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