An oral update will be provided at the meeting.
Minutes:
8.1 The Committee was provided with a verbal update on the Notting Hill Carnival by Ms Acik. She advised that a new event management company for the Carnival had been in place for approximately five or six weeks. They were communicating with local residents, stakeholders, Westminster City Council and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council (‘RBKC’).
8.2 Ms Acik explained that proposals for the Carnival included fewer smaller vehicles along the main Carnival route and an earlier start and finish for the event. Further clarity on the policing plans was likely to be received in the next few weeks. There were likely to be much more stringent controls on vehicles coming in and out of the Carnival and also hostile vehicle mitigation measures introduced. Westminster councillors would be provided with a briefing on the Carnival in the near future, including proposed changes and the licensing approach.
8.3 Ms Acik stated that there were current proposals regarding sound systems at the Carnival. RBKC had particular concerns about the links to crime and disorder issues and they were not permitting two of the several sound systems to be present during the event. Ms Acik informed Members that a report of a review had been published which had been jointly commissioned with MOPAC (‘The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime Police and Crime Committee’). This had engaged independent expertise and was focussed on crowd dynamics/movements. One of the areas which affected Westminster’s footprint was around Westbourne Park Station. The report referred to the Sir Lloyd sound system, which had a premises licence, and the issues relating to crowd congestion. It had been decided following discussions with the Police not to review the premises licence. Officers had communicated with Lloyd Roberts who was responsible for the sound system and it had been agreed that some of the risks could be mitigated by extending the barriers and creating a sterile corridor with greater access along Leamington Villas Road. This would reduce the congestion which had previously been caused with Sir Lloyd sound system at one end of the road and Channel One sound system at the other end. There would also be higher levels of security there. Similar plans were being proposed for the Channel One sound system.
8.4 Ms Acik drew Members’ attention to the point that four temporary event notices for sound systems were expected to be received by Westminster City Council. The officers’ approach would be that those submitting the TENs would be expected to put forward very robust event management plans.
8.5 Further information provided by Ms Acik included that expressions of interest had been sought earlier in the year for use of street trading pitches. There had been less interest that in previous years and the number of pitches had been reduced from 39 to 36. She added that it was helpful that the Police Superintendent involved with the Carnival was also involved with community engagement following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
8.6 Councillor Burbridge expressed concerns that people attending the Carnival had been able to enter residents’ gardens. She requested that tougher cardboard or a more effective barrier could be used to prevent this. Ms Acik offered to raise this with CityWest Homes.
8.7 Councillor Floru raised concerns about agitators, seeking to exploit the anger felt by the local community towards the Grenfell Tower tragedy, surfacing at the Carnival. Ms Acik referred to the comments of Pepe Francis MBE, the Chairman of the London Notting Hill Carnival Enterprises Trust who had recently commented that ‘Notting Hill Carnival will show the local community’s solidarity, support and respect for the victims of the appalling fire at Grenfell Tower. Grenfell Tower is at the heart of our neighbourhood. The survivors of the fire, our friends and neighbours, have suffered dreadfully. The families and loved ones of those who died and who are missing continue to suffer. This year, the blackened marker of Grenfell Tower casts a dark shadow over the joy and celebration of Carnival. We do not pretend to provide solace. But we can, and will, offer respect and solidarity. Carnival is a celebration of inclusivity, diversity and harmony. We will not provide a platform for those who espouse the politics of division and hate and who seek to create disharmony’.
8.8 RESOLVED: That the verbal update on the Notting Hill Carnival be noted.