Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1             The Committee is asked to note that Council has received several requests from event organisers to host events across several city park locations in 2024 and these include.

·        Belfast Rathayatra 2024 (Festival of Chariots) – Crescent Park

·        Climate Craic 2024 – Ormeau Park

·        Belfast No 6 Royal Black District Chapter Parade – Woodvale Park

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Committee is asked to grant authority to the applicants for the proposed events on the dates noted; subject to the completion of the appropriate event management plans and satisfactory terms being agreed by the Director of City & Neighbourhood Services and on the condition that the Event Organisers:

i.       resolves all operational issues to the Council’s satisfaction;

ii.      meets all statutory requirements including Public Liability Insurance cover, Health and Safety, and licensing responsibilities; and

iii.    shall consult with adjoining public bodies and local communities as necessary.

            Please note that the above recommendations are taken as a pre-policy position in advance of the Council agreeing a more structured framework and policy for ‘Events’, which is currently being taken forward in conjunction with the Councils Commercial team.

3.0       Main Report

            Key Issues

3.1       If agreed, the event organiser or promoters will be required in advance of the event to submit an event management plan for approval by the Council and all relevant statutory bodies. This will include an assessment of how the event will impact upon the surrounding area and measures to mitigate these impacts.

3.2       Iskcon Belfast Charity (Hare Krishna Temple) - Belfast Rathayatra 2024 (Festival of Chariots) – Crescent Park – Saturday 3 August 2024

            Iskcon Belfast Charity (Hare Krishna Temple) have requested the use of Crescent Park for their Belfast Rathayatra 2024 event. ISKCON Belfast promotes spiritual and cultural activities in Belfast and surrounding areas. They hold worship services, spiritual discourses, meditation sessions, and educational programs on Vedic wisdom. The charity also organises festivals, cultural events, and community service initiatives to foster spiritual growth, inner peace, and social harmony. They have requested permission to be allowed to carry out charity collections. They are a registered charity with their number being NI 102942

3.3       Key dates for the event are: Main Event – Saturday 03rd August 12.30pm to 6pm

3.4       The event is The Ratha Yatra, or Festival of Chariots, is a grand Hindu festival celebrated worldwide. It involves the procession of large, elaborately decorated chariots carrying deities, particularly Lord Jagannath (an incarnation of Lord Krishna), along the streets. It's celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion, attracting millions of devotees in the UK & Ireland. The event organiser requests permission for the event to pass through Crecent Gardens as part of the event.

            Climate Craic CIC  - Climate Craic Festival 2024 – Ormeau Park – Saturday 14 September 2024

3.5       Council have received a request from Climate Craic CIC to host their annual Climate Craic Festival at Ormeau Park on Saturday 14 September 2024. The group have requested permission to be allowed to carry out collections on the day of the event to help fund next year’s festival along with other community initiatives.

3.6       They are a nonprofit community incorporated company. They are a registered charity with their Charity Number being NI687640.

3.7       The purpose of the festival is to promote and raise awareness around the climate and how the community can help improve this. The event will have creative acts, performers, market & food stalls along with musicians to create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. There is no cost to attend the event.

3.8       Key Dates for the event are:

            Set Up – Saturday 14 September – 9am

            Main Event – Saturday 14 September – 1pm to 6pm

            De-Rig – Saturday 14 September - 10pm

3.9       Belfast No 6 Royal Black District Chapter – Woodvale Parade – Woodvale Park – Sunday 25 August 2024

            Council has received a request form Belfast No 6 Royal Black District Chapter for a section of their parade on Sunday 25 August 2024 to pass through Woodvale Park and lay two poppy wreaths at the war memorial in the park.

3.10      The proposed route for the event is as follows:

3.11      At 2.15pm the City of Belfast Grand Black Chapter will depart from West Belfast Orange Hall, Shankill Road. The parade will consist of 7 Districts + 4 bands, approximately 250 participants.

3.12      At approximately 2.20pm the will parade enter Woodvale Park at the Woodvale Road entrance and proceed up through the park, pausing to lay 2 poppy wreaths at the war memorial. The parage will exit the park on to the Ballygomartin Road by 2.40pm.

3.13      The group have confirmed that the return route of the parade will not be passing through Woodvale Park and that the PSNI have been informed along with an 11/1 parade notification being submitted.

3.14      Financial and Resource Implications

            There are no known financial or resource implications with this request.

3.15      Equality or Good Relations Implications/

            Rural Needs Assessment

            There are no known implications with this request.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.