Agenda item

To consider a progress report on the recommendations made in the internal audit report relating to Event Management issued on the 24 November 2022.

Mr Philip Welsh, Head of Tourism and Communications, presented a follow-up report on progress against recommendations made by the internal audit of Event Management. He reported that good progress had been made against the recommendations but advised that the Protect Duty legislation was not yet in place. It was noted that this delay would impact the completion of some of the outstanding recommendations.

The Protect Duty imposed a number requirements on the Council to ensure mitigation was in place to protect against and ensure an effective response in the event of a terrorist incident. Mr Welsh informed the Committee that the Council had been undertaking work to prepare for the introduction of the legislation, including the installation of counter-terrorism infrastructure on the promenade.

Mr Chris Pope, Events Manager, Visit Blackpool, informed the Committee that the legislation created a number challenges for the Council. These related to the wide variety of events hosted in Blackpool many of which were held outdoors and involved substantial crowds with no fixed boundary. Mr Pope also reported that it remained unclear under the legislation who the regulator would be.

Preparations for the introduction of the legislation had also included joint working with partners across Blackpool under a five-year programme called “Operation Rosetta 2”. Preparations had involved the testing of counter terrorism procedures through a town-wide exercise. This exercise had simulated a terrorist incident and it was reported that although partners had performed well, key learning had been identified and would be applied in future. One of the most important outcomes had been the recognition of the challenges of communication during an incident.

Members discussed the procurement of stewards for future events, with Mr Pope advising that currently events did not have event specific stewards. However, as required by the duty, event specific stewards with appropriate training and skills would be procured for future events.

The Committee noted that the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) formed a key part in ensuring safety at events and asked that a list of the participants be provided for information to Members.

Mr Pope informed the Committee that the SAG was consulted on all applications for large scale events in Blackpool, considering their risk assessments and planning, and could prevent an event being held if it did not regard them as being safely planned. He added that the SAG was accountable to its membership and that it would typically consider event applications three months in advance of their planned date. In addition to this, events could be spot-checked during their operation to ensure their compliance.

Ms Tracy Greenhalgh, Head of Audit and Risk, added that SAG was multiagency and included representatives from the Audit and Risk Team including emergency planning, insurance and health and safety.

Issues surrounding the sub-letting of Council owned land by the Business Improvement District (BID) were highlighted in relation to the hosting of events. The Committee noted that this had delayed completion of Recommendation 5 of the audit. Mr Pope reported that this was a significant issue that was under consideration and that it was expected that the solution would not be in place until the end of March 2024.

Resolved:

1.           That the report on progress against the recommendations made in the Internal Audit of Event Management be noted; and

2.           That details of the membership of the Safety Advisory Group be circulated for information.

[Mr Pope left the meeting following this item] [Mr Pope left the meeting following this item]