Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Funding opportunity squandered by Friends of Finsbury Park
Major events in Finsbury Park generate a substantial income for the borough and it is up to the council to direct how the majority is spent.
However, organisers of events also pay an 'environmental impact charge' of up to £10,000 per event, which is supposed to be used to fund priority improvements to the park identified by FoFP. The total so far from the events in 2014-15 probably amounts to around £30-40k.
I asked one of their members about this last week in one of the many threads about Wireless Festival, but got an evasive answer. So I asked the council - their response:
"I can confirm that we have not had a conversation with the Friends about this opportunity this year. In the past they have made it clear that they do not wish to have any involvement in the spending of any income raised from events, let alone what they might prioritise in terms of investment of any money collected as environmental impact fees."
In other words, they are turning down the chance to use money which is already available to make much needed improvements to the park simply because they are unhappy with the policy to host major events there.
Whatever you happen to think of the major events - and please use one of the other threads if you want to continue that discussion - their failure to take advantage of this opportunity is very disappointing and clearly doesn't represent the best interests of all park users. I hope they will reconsider their position.
On a more positive note, perhaps we can use this thread to suggest some small scale improvements for the park which can hopefully be taken forward by the Friends if they can be made to see sense. For example, think about about minor enhancements which would improve the environment or accessibility of the park - perhaps new planting schemes or some more benches which would make visiting easier for people who need to rest at frequent intervals. This funding isn't for general maintenance and repairs, which the council looks after, or about making good damage from events, which is the event organiser's responsibility.
Tags for Forum Posts: finsbury park, finsbury park events, fofp, friends of finsbury park, funding, improvements
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by JoeW on
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How about a path for running round the perimeter? I think Clissold Park has one, maybe made of bark chippings or something.
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Permalink Reply by Matt on
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This is extraordinary - good detective work Tris! I can't help but wonder what DOES happen to the money - do the Council hang on to it? If so, it sounds like they aren't making much effort to spend it for its intended purpose. In fact you could even argue they're exploiting FoFP's stance for their own advantage. If FoFP don't want it, it's still the Council's duty to spend it on the Park.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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I don't think we can blame the council on this one Matt. If the money is there to be spent in partnership on improvements and the offer isn't taken up it's surely better that it's spent on something than it just vanishing. I wonder if Clve, Jeremy or one of the other FoFP members who have posted previously could contribute to this thread on this issue?
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Unless the clause with the contractors states that the money can only be spent in partnership with FoFP, I absolutely would blame the Council. If their chosen partner declines the offer, they as the fundholder have a responsibility to seek other partners, or return the money to the contractor.
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Permalink Reply by Jacq on
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I'd like to see this going to Edible Landscapes London, based in the Manor House corner of the park. It's a brilliant community food growing project and I'm sure they could put the money to good use should friends of Finsbury Park not.
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2 good ideas in less than 24 hours
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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Where's the money? Rather than speculate on HoL, why not ask the Council?
Would you have time to do this, Tris and reportback with the answer? If so, I suggest a chat with say Matt (see his comment above) or Martin Ball about the best route for getting prompt, accurate, full information.
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It seems to me that these two approaches may not be mutually exclusive. For one thing, the Council will know - Friends of Finsbury Park may not - if money paid as an "Environmental Impact Charge" was actually received and used, even though FoFP decided not to take part in the decision-making.
Aren't you also curious about whether other park hiring events generated similar payments? And if so, whether or not these went into the maintenance funds for the specific park used? As you may have seen, Martin Ball has been out and about taking photos of flyposting from a Funfair. Breaking all the rules and littering up walls. That'll cost money to remove which the hirers ought to paying.
Plainly, we also need some practical ways for people to legitimately publicise their events. Ways which don't mess up walls and phone cabinets. And possibly encourage every gig promoter in London to plaster our streets.
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The fly posting issue is tough Alan. Something like 9 out of 10 prosecutions fail. You either have to catch them in the act and prosecute the person putting it up or have definite proof that the event/circus/whatever commissioned the fly posting. The most successful approach seems to have been immediately ripping them down so in time it becomes an ineffective way to advertise. There's a good practical guide to what seems to have worked on the Gov.uk website. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_dat...
On the other issue (now coming back on subject) I agree that getting the full info on what has been asked for, what has actually been paid and what it was used for is the way to go. I'm happy to have a try.
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That's generous, Michael. Maybe you could do an initial draft with the questions and invite some others to comment. I'm happy to read through a draft and offer suggestions if you'd find this helpful.
About the fly-posting, many thanks for linking to the Government Guidance. I'd not seen it before now and kick myself for not searching. It's on my to-do list to read.
But I favour carrots as well as sticks. And I'm keen that people can find out more easily what arts and other events are taking place. But without Councils, traders or residents having to scrape or steam glued paper off walls and windows.
Interestingly, Wikipedia says that the original advertising columns/pillars were invented in 1854 in Germany and later in France, and "came about in order to combat rampant advertising and graffiti".
Previously on HoL I've mentioned various ideas Zena and I have seen in London and other cities. For example at the Edinburgh Festival, at the Royal Festival Hall, and light "painting" in Berlin.
I'm sure there are loads of good ideas other HoL members have spotted elsewhere? Who wants to start?
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I too like the idea of places where fly posting is allowed. The ones you see in places like France are actually interesting because you know that every time you walk past a new set of posters will have appeared.
On the subject of writing to ask for more info about the funding issue all I'm intending to ask is....
Over the past five years;
The number of events where where an environmental impact change was levied and how much
The number where it wasn't
How much of the levied charge was actually collected
What the charges were eventually spent on
I want to keep it quite simple and turn it around fairly quickly so I can post it back here but I would very much welcome any comments and ideas. I want to try and get the information request out early next week to speedy replies appreciated.
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