Gunnersbury Park Management 'Needs Shake Up' After Lovebox
Councillor calls for consultative committee, as residents have been 'kept in the dark'
Conservative councillor for Turnham Green ward, Joanna Biddolph, has called for a shake-up of the management of Gunnersbury Park in the wake of last weekend's music festivals which drew local anger over noise, crowds, and litter
Hounslow Council has said that apart from minimal issues with crime and anti-social behaviour for the festivals, noise levels were also within the agreed limits -see statement below.
Cllr Biddolph has renewed her call for the Gunnersbury Park Community Interest Company to establish a formal consultative committee to give local residents and organisations a say in the management of the park.
Cllr Biddolph has also called for local councillors from all three wards
that border the park to be represented on the community interest company
(CIC), the equivalent of a board, to ensure that local views are represented
at a strategic level. And she says it is vital for transparency and accountability
to underpin decisions and management actions.
She said she had made her first formal call for local representation on
the CIC and for a consultative committee in March, before the community
interest company took over the management of the park. Prior to that,
she said she had raised it directly with David Bowler who was then waiting
to take over as CEO of the CIC, after meetings of the park’s joint
advisory panel.
This was because, she said, she was worried that the management team
was acting "secretly and high-handedly and without concern for local
residents."
“It was clear that decisions were being taken that would have an
impact on the park and our enjoyment of it, without any regard for local’s
views. My suggestion for a consultative committee was based on experience
and best practice – it works well for other public open spaces including
Hampstead Heath which has had a consultative committee for over 20 years.”
“During the Lovebox/Citadel festivals, numerous issues arose that
should first have been considered by residents and businesses, particularly
those on the route to the festival. It’s clear that a change in
management structure is urgent and overdue,” said Cllr Biddolph.
“Information about events or changes to the park are slipping out
on the sly. Residents are being kept in the dark and expected to accept
what comes, no matter its impact on them or the park. There is no transparency
and no accountability. We’ve had to push hard to be heard. Our opinions
should be sought, not resisted. And there should be no surprises about
what is going on and when.”
Community engagement was mentioned briefly at the Hounslow Cabinet meeting
on Tuesday, 17th July, including that councillors from Ealing council’s
Ealing Common ward should be involved so that all wards that surround
the park are represented.
She has also asked for feedback on events and management issues to be
extensive and taken seriously so that lessons are learned and changes
made, starting with feedback on the Lovebox/Citadel festivals.
“I have already been in contact with the organiser who has responded
positively to my suggestions. I want a formal feedback session with local
councillors whose residents were significantly affected by the festivals;
a formal public feedback session for local residents; and a comprehensive
questionnaire for those who cannot come to a public meeting. The CIC should
not only be present at these meetings but also take part; and should look
in detail at the questionnaire comments,’ she explained.
Councillor Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council, and Councillor Julian Bell, Leader of Ealing Council said: “The Lovebox and Citadel festivals are amongst the most popular events on the music calendar, not only in London, but across the country. Securing the rights to host these events at Gunnersbury Park puts the boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow on the cultural map and builds our credibility as a venue at the cutting edge of contemporary music and culture. Additionally the estimated 100,000 people who visited Gunnersbury Park over the weekend provided a real boost to local businesses.
“Police have reported minimal issues with crime and anti-social behaviour for the festivals and noise levels were also within the agreed limits. Of course there is always room for improvement and we will listen to residents’ concerns and ensure that any issues they experienced, including those relating to transport and litter, are taken into consideration for future events.”
In response to Councillor Biddolph’s statement, Cllr Curran said: “Prior to the festival taking place, we held two public meetings with residents where we discussed their concerns and acted on them. We also sent out 8,000 letters to local residents in the catchment area advising them of the details of the event and providing them with the opportunity to enter into a ballot to receive complimentary tickets for the event. The organisers have also committed to holding a follow up meeting for residents after the summer break. We will continue to work with our residents to understand their concerns and make improvements accordingly.”
July 19, 2018