WEST Devon Borough Council is consulting with residents and other interested parties on the way it helps communities and local groups to organise and run events.

A large number of events are currently supported across the borough from major festivals and regattas to smaller village and community events. 

The way the council supports these events varies depending on the event and how it is organised and whether it is organised for commercial or community gain. 

Cllr Mike Benson, lead member for the environment, said: ‘This is an opportunity for all of the community groups and event organisers we work with to help us shape our events policy for the future, and we would urge them to have their say.  ‘We are doing this because we would like to offer a fairer and more consistent service, and we have a duty to make the best use of council tax payer’s money. 

‘This means that where an event needs additional services, the council could make a charge so that one community event does not take place at the expense of another community event across the borough.

‘At the moment we support events in a variety of ways, from leasing land, to organising an alcohol licence and clearing up after an event. But before we write a new policy on how we should offer these services, we would like to hear from those people who use them.’

Some of the ways the borough council helps events happen in West Devon includes use of council land, offering expertise in planning, licensing and health and safety, equipment, additional public toilet staffing and parking and traffic flow assistance.

West Devon Borough Council is running this consultation to help them determine the future of event management policy and whether some elements should be chargeable, which shouldn’t, and if they are, what that charge should be.

Cllr Mike Benson said: ‘We are totally committed to supporting our towns and villages with their calendar of events,  but we think that it is important to offer a service which is consistent, fair and isn’t subsidised by the council tax payer.’

The Events Policy Change Proposal, FAQs and more information can be found on the West Devon website at www.westdevon.gov.uk/eventspolicy-telluswhatyouthink 

Please email your views on the proposal to [email protected] by  Friday, July 29.