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AIF raises concerns over Police Reform Bill
By CMU Editorial | Published on Wednesday 25 May 2011
The General Manager of the Association Of Independent Festivals has issued a statement raising concern regarding the previously reported Police Reform & Social Responsibility Bill which is currently being considered in the House Of Lords.
As previously reported, one section of the Bill proposes giving local authorities more powers over the licensing of large scale music events, a development which many fear will further complicate the process of getting permission to stage festivals. Ironically the Police Reform Bill is being considered at the same time as the Live Music Bill, which is aiming to simplify the licensing process, especially for grass root events.
With the licensing section of the Police Reform Bill due to be considered in the Lords this week, AIF General Manager Claire O’Neill told reporters: “We are incredibly concerned that changes to the bill will be passed with a ‘one size fits all’ approach that could be a further blow to UK festivals and music events. Festivals are one of the few places that people come together to celebrate and enjoy life in a relatively incident free environment, certainly compared with town centres on a Friday night. We urge the House of Commons Committee to reconsider those aspects of the Bill that will be detrimental to this positive social and cultural phenomenon”.
