Agenda item

The Senior Licensing Officer informed Members that over the years the Council had received complaints from businesses in the town centre regarding buskers and street entertainers. At present, the Council had no authority to move the buskers or street entertainers on or to prevent them from playing unless the noise they made amounted to noise nuisance. 

It was noted that outside of London, busking was not covered by any legislation and a number of local authorities had developed their own Codes of Practice for Buskers and Street Entertainers.  Members considered details of the proposed draft Code of Practice. The Code would ensure that proportionate and reasonable limits had been determined to balance the rights of the performers and local businesses/residents. It was brought to Members attention that a public consultation would be carried out with relevant businesses and stakeholders and reported to a future meeting of the Committee.

Commenting on the draft Code, a Member requested clarification regarding the minimum age limit of 18 years for buskers/street entertainers and suggested that this be reduced to16 years of age. The Licensing Manager stated that the age limit should remain at 18 years as lowering it could raise potential safeguarding issues. 

Resolved -  That a public consultation take place on the draft Code of Practice for Buskers and Street Entertainers.