1:43pm Wednesday 16th May 2012
I WAS dismayed to read your comment section on Thursday, May 10, which implied that Cotswold District Council was making petty objections against Cirencester Town Council's plans to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. It also alleged that we had failed to cooperate and communicate sufficiently with the organisers.
I can assure you that the concerns we have expressed are more than a ‘minor obstacle’ and these omissions would be identified by any agency or body tasked with regulating event health and safety.
Despite your assertion to the contrary, I would also like to make it clear that officers at Cotswold District Council, through the CDC Event Safety Advisory Group, have been working with the town council's Jubilee Committee for over six months in efforts to secure the level of confidence required for the safe operation of the event.
Despite the considerable assistance from officers, the Jubilee Committee's latest submission indicated a lack of understanding of licensing requirements and did not satisfy concerns about the effective control of a potential crowd of 4,999 in the Abbey Grounds.
We felt that planning of the event was based on requirements which were valid some ten years ago, but nationally things have moved on significantly in the safety and management of public events.
I can assure you that we want this event to take place and we very much hope that it will be a great success. However, we want to make sure that those attending will be able to enjoy the celebration in the knowledge that it is safe and secure.
This is not a case of bureaucrats ‘dotting Is and crossing Ts’ by complying with the recommended standards, the Jubilee Committee will be exercising their duty of care to the public and limiting any potential risks - surely that must be a good thing.
KATE BISHOP Head of Public Protection Cotswold District Council
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