City may change tune on buskers

CARDIFF council has reversed its decision to make buskers apply for a permit to play in the city.

Earlier this week it was reported that buskers in the Welsh capital would have to send audition tapes to the council, which would then decide whether to grant them a permit.

The new rules, set to come into force on July 1, meant performers would have needed to send in a video clip of themselves each month in order to have their licence renewed.

The move came after the council received a “significant number of complaints”.

However, the new rules have been put on hold. The changes are not completely off the table but they have been deferred until they can be discussed in greater detail by the council.

Council leader Huw Thomas said: “I am proud of the action my administration has taken to promote music in Cardiff.

“While recognising the council’s statutory duty to tackle noise pollution, I am not convinced this approach to buskers is proportionate.

“I have made clear to the chief executive of the council that any changes in our buskers policy should be deferred until the work on the music strategy is concluded in the autumn.”

The music strategy is the council’s plan to protect Cardiff’s music scene and, at the same time, boost its international profile.