Fees for rides licence could be reduced

People in Perth and Kinross wishing to stage public events featuring funfair rides will pay far less to do so in future as long as a council committee approves a paper this week.

Councillors will be asked on Thursday to support an official recommendation to reduce the fee that organisers have to pay for a public entertainment licence to have children’s rides at events such as gala days, fetes and bonfires, by over 78 per cent.

A paper to be considered by the local authority’s licensing committee says the proposal comes after officials received“a number of representations” from community organisations saying they could not afford to pay the current rates.

It currently costs £300 for a one year licence and £480 for a three-year licence.

Under the proposals, a funfair located within a community event such as a gala, fete or bonfire night, where fewer than five children’s mechanical rides would pay just £65 for a year-long licence.

The paper explains:“The current fee for most public entertainment licences is £300 for a one-year licence and £480 for a three-year licence. There are also some larger events which attract a higher fee.

“During 2017, it came to light that many community events such as gala days, fetes and bonfires, although themselves free to enter, had fee paying children’s mechanical rides as part of the event.

“These rides fall under the definition of a funfair and so a public entertainment licence is required, with document compliance certificates for each mechanical ride together with public liability insurance.”

A number of groups contacted the council saying the fees stretched their already limited budgets.

The paper continues:“It is therefore important that a measured approach is taken to the licensing of such events.

“Account needs to be taken of the importance of such events, but that also needs to be balanced against the need to ensure public safety.

“Against that background, it is considered that the most appropriate way of achieving that balance would be to lower the licence fee for funfairs at community events such as galas, fetes and bonfire nights.”

The licensing committee will consider the paper on Thursday at the council chambers in 2 High Street.