Issue - decisions

Date of Decision:

28.06.24

Title:

Parking Fees and Use of Herringthorpe Playing Fields for Car Parking for the The Reytons Concert, Clifton Park– 6 July 2024

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Polly Hamilton, Assistant Director, Culture, Sport & Tourism

Specific Delegation:

(If any)

Sub scheme of Delegation - Regeneration and Environment Oct 2022

Operational management and maintenance of Parks, Recreation Grounds, Play Areas, Camping, Caravan and Picnic Sites, Allotments, Country parks, all land held by the Council specifically for public open space and recreation, Countryside Service including the letting of land and premises in collaboration with Asset Management 

Brief Description of Decision:

To approve the proposed parking fee of £5 and the use of Herringthorpe Playing Fields as a temporary carpark for The Reytons’ event at Clifton Park on 6^th July 2024

Reasons for the Decision:

At £5, the proposed fee is significantly lower than the fees normally charged for parking at major events (which can be in the region of £10 - £15). This was suggested for the following reasons:

·        The only other event at which parking at Herringthorpe is offered is Rotherham Show. Unlike Rotherham Show which is free to enter and specifically for Rotherham communities, this event is private and its target audience is fans of the band who may be coming from outside Rotherham borough. Ticket prices for the event are £50.65

·        It offered the opportunity for the Council to test the feasibility of running music events of this nature within the park and at the same time achieve sufficient revenue from the event to recover the anticipated revenue cost of hosting it.

·        In setting the fee lower than other concert venues, it is hoped to encourage concert-goers to use the designated parking rather than parking on the street which could create traffic management problems and cause a nuisance to local residents

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

-         Alternative site. There is no valid alternative site which could cater for the volume of cars expected.

-         Offer free parking.  There is a need to recoup the costs of hosting the event and a modest charge is a way to achieve this.

-         Charge more.  There’s a need to incentivise use of the event car park in order to discourage on-street parking and reduce the risk of nuisance to local residents.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Executive Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

Cllr Sheppard, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion declared a conflict of interest as he has already purchased tickets for the event

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Reports or parts of reports considered

None