Council bust-up over band parade
Organisers battle for permission
A war of words has erupted between South Lanarkshire Council and the organisers of a flute band parade in Larkhall.
An application by Larkhall Purple Heroes to hold a procession this weekend had yet to be officially approved by the time the Advertiser went to press – with a meeting being held at the authority’s headquarters at the eleventh hour.
It is believed the parade organisers and the council had failed to reach an agreement over stewarding, the provision of portable toilets and a dispersal point ahead of the event, scheduled to take place tomorrow (Friday).
Around 750 people are expected to take part in the parade, with approximately 30 bands attending, including two from Northern Ireland.
A meeting of the authority’s Public Processions Panel is due to take place this afternoon (Thursday) “to consider issues raised in relation to previous parade”.
Although representatives of Larkhall Purple Heroes will be in attendance, they have raised concerns that the meeting will be held with the “exclusion of press and public”.
Larkhall Purple Heroes representative James G Maclean told the Advertiser: “It is almost reminiscent of North Korea, rather than South Lanarkshire.
“I have worked closely with local authorities on similar events over the years and this is the first time I’ve encountered these very unusual circumstances.
“This is a big operation for the band. It really is quite incomprehensible that there is a hearing the day before.
“In all the circumstances and the fact that the planned event is only about 24 hours away, I suggest to the panel that they have no powers to impose conditions and recommend that the council take no action.
“The police report states that the organisers are cooperative and efficient, and matters can be left to their common sense.”
Larkhall Purple Heroes were supported by local councillor Richard Nelson, who said: “I was approached with regards to the parade and problems Larkhall Purple Heroes were encountering with the council. I raised their concerns but have not yet received a response.
“I feel Larkhall Purple Heroes are being treated differently from anyone else at the moment.”
Fellow Larkhall councillor Jackie Burns said: “I would expect that the organisers of the parade will be given a fair opportunity (at the meeting) to explain how these events have been successful over many years and the ways in which the parade has been supervised and structured.
“It has been clear for many years that the organisers have worked closely with the council and police to plan and deliver the event.”
Councillor Peter Craig said: “I’m told the organisers hadn’t confirmed they had addressed issues raised such as better stewarding and toilets.
“It’s not about stopping the parade, it’s about avoiding the problems that occurred the last time around. The meeting is simply sensible standard procedure.”
A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council said: “Meetings of the Public Processions Panel are always held with the press and public excluded, in terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.
“The hearing will be held on May 31, 2018, when all matters raised will be discussed with the parade organiser at that time.”
It’s quite incomprehensible there is a hearing the day before