York: KSL approves new guidance.

York: KSL approves new guidance.
Post Date July 10, 2019
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Category Press, Updates, York

City of York Council have launched their new busking guidance, in conjunction with Make It York, to ensure clarity and fairness for people when performing in York.

The guidelines highlight public and private spaces in popular busking locations, as well as considerations buskers should make when performing, including amplification which is prohibited between 9pm – 8am.

The busking document also addresses issues such as the offer of goods and services, volume and pitch of the performance, and advice for residents and businesses. 

Should performers fail to adhere to the guidelines or should a complaint be made by the public, a warning notice may be issued. Following the issue of a notice, should the busker fail to adhere, legal action can be taken by City of York Council.

Cllr Denise Craghill,Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods at City of York Council, said:“It’s clear to us that busking is of great value to our city and despite growing numbers, we get very few complaints escalated for enforcement. 

“However, it is important that when we do get complaints, we have a clear and fair way of dealing with problems such as excessive volume and obstruction to footpaths. 

“We look forward to working with Make It York and our busking community to ensure the street performances our city is well known for, are enjoyable for residents, businesses and visitors alike.” 

Chris Price, Head of City Centre and Markets at Make It York, said:“Busking is an important part of creating a vibrant, exciting and cosmopolitan atmosphere for residents, visitors and businesses in York.

“As a city we encourage busking and we want to welcome buskers from across the County and beyond, and will continue to work closely with the busking community as these new guidelines come into place.”

Chester Bingley from Keep Streets Live, a group representing the busking community said:“Keep Streets Live is happy to see that York is continuing its positive approach to busking and street entertainment.  

“The new guidance maintains the creative spirit whilst improving clarity, ensuring that responsible performers are made welcome and that York maintains its reputation as a vibrant cultural hub.” 

The guidance can be found on www.york.gov.uk/busking

Carlisle scraps anti-busking PSPO.

Post Date May 27, 2019
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New busking guidelines – the first of their kind in Cumbria – will be launched today to coincide with Street Music Month.

Cumbria Police, Carlisle City Council and representatives from ‘Keep Streets Live’ have collaborated on the new Guide to Busking.

A copy of The Guide to Busking in Carlisle can be found at www.carlisle.gov.uk and hard copies are also available from the Carlisle Tourist Information Centre and the reception of Carlisle City Council.

Inspector Di Bradbury from the Carlisle local focus team said:

“This has been a great piece of collaborative work bringing improved and strengthened relationships with all those involved. The Code of Conduct will support Carlisle City Centre residents, businesses and those who come to entertain.

The Police and the City Council want Carlisle City Centre to offer balanced, fairly located pitches and a welcoming place for street entertainers to visit and play, whilst supporting the residents and businesses to also have a fair and balanced experience.”  

Director of Keep Streets Live Chester Bingley added:

“It has been fantastic to work with Carlisle City Council and Cumbria Police to produce this guidance, which puts the city on the map, alongside York, Liverpool and Chester as one of the most forward-thinking and welcoming places to perform in Northern England.

We hope this leads the way to a similar approach across the rest of the county. The official release of the document will also coincide with the beginning of Keep Streets Live’s first Street Music Month which will celebrate and raise awareness of busking across the UK.”

A spokesperson from Carlisle City Council said:

“We’d like to thank all our partners in the Police, Keep Streets Live and the busking community for their support. We welcome busking in the city centre but as some areas are more sensitive to noise, the guidelines set out some clear advice on what is and is not permitted.”

Discussions with partners started after a complaint was received regarding City and Police powers in relation to busking.

A spokesperson from The Moot, said:

“The Moot is delighted that Public Space Protection Order is no longer being used against buskers in Carlisle. The city is a great place to busk. By following Home Office Guidelines and choosing not to use a PSPO against buskers & by working with Keep Streets Live, other agencies and the local community to develop a responsible busking guide, the City of Carlisle is leading by example.”

Buskers Oppose Kensington Busking Bans

Buskers Oppose Kensington Busking Bans
Post Date May 23, 2019
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Buskers’ group Keep Streets Live, along with the Musicians’ Union and Equity – have lodged a formal objection to Kensington & Chelsea’s draft Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

The restrictions in iconic locations such as South Kensington’s ‘Museum District’, Portobello Road and outside Harrods will profoundly affect street performance in the borough, and in our professional opinion turn it into a ‘no-go’ zone for busking.

According to David Webster from the Musicians’ Union:

“The MU has grave concerns over the imposition of PSPO’s as proposed by Kensington and Chelsea. The livelihood of buskers is under threat – There is a workable solution provided for in the Busk in London scheme developed by The Mayor’s office and we urge RBK&C to engage with that.”

Tim Clement-Jones, a Lib Dem peer and prominent live music campaigner, said:

“PSPO’s are completely disproportionate as a way of dealing with public nuisance and they have the effect of criminalising perfectly legal busking which adds so much to the life of our towns and cities”

Chester Bingley, Director of Keep Streets Live who are organizing the campaign against the ban added:

“Home Office guidance is clear that these Orders should not be used to prevent reasonable busking and/or other forms of street entertainment.

Keep Streets Live have offered to discuss alternatives to this crackdown. We have worked with many Local Authorities across the country to introduce systems of guidance that are based on dialogue between buskers, businesses and residents, common sense and co-operation, whilst supporting robust enforcement action when necessary.

The proposed PSPO will not only cause hardship to those who make a living performing in the area, but will substantially reduce its appeal as a vibrant tourist destination. “

The groups are planning a number of days of action (including music, leafleting, and a petition) to highlight the contents of the PSPO, raise awareness of its impact, and persuade RBKC that the proposal is both undesirable and unworkable.

RBKC PSPO Consultation is open until 7th June.