Agenda item

To seek approval from the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee to explore the possibility of hosting children’s funfairs in the park as a new income stream and visitor attraction.  To seek delegated authority for appointed officers to negotiate the standard terms and conditions of hire as necessary and to apply for a premises licence for the London Road Picnic Area. To present the committee with details of events taking place in the park in 2025.

The Committee received a report seeking approval to explore the possibility of hosting children’s funfairs in the park as a new income stream and visitor attraction, seeking delegated authority for appointed officers to negotiate the standard terms and conditions of hire as necessary and to apply for a premises licence for the London Road Picnic Area, and presenting the committee with details of events taking place in the park in 2025.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Funfair for Young Children in the Park. The Committee were informedthat the operator of ‘Spectacular’ children’s funfairs had expressed interest in holding an event at Nonsuch Park, in the London Road London Road Picnic Area, for September time. The Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) and the Contracts Officer stated that the operator had previously held funfair events in Epsom & Ewell and in Sutton, and had a track record of being flexible, responsible, and reliable. The Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) confirmed that contractually any ground damages caused by the funfair would be the responsibility of the operator.

b)            Larger Funfair Considerations. In response to a question from a Member, the Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) stated that the gated entrance to the Park was not wide enough to accommodate larger scale funfairs in the Park, such as the ones held at Hook Road Arena, and that widening the gates would be very costly and require planning permission. She stated that larger scale funfairs aimed at an older audience come with an increased risk of damages and antisocial behaviour, and advised that they may not be a suitable fit for Nonsuch Park.

c)            Extent of Premises licence Application. In response to a question from a Member, the Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) confirmed that the proposed application for the premises licence as set out in the report would cover the London Road picnic area only. She stated that in the future, if necessary, application(s) could be made for additional area(s) in the Park.

d)            Gardens as Space for Events. In response to a question from a Member, the Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) advised that the formal gardens space can be used to hold events, but would require consultation with Bovingdons in each case.

e)            Potential Event Consideration. A Member enquired as to whether Nonsuch Park could be used to hold open air cinema events. The Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) stated that the matter would be investigated.

f)             Event Marketing and Advertisement. In response to comments from a Member, the Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) stated that the extent to which the Park can be promoted and advertised to companies and event organisers as a hireable space was limited by Council staff resource. She stated that there was currently no budget for a dedicated post to fill a Nonsuch Park event coordinator role.

g)            Upcoming Cancer Race Event. In respect of the upcoming Cancer Research charity run event, the Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) Sam stated it was expected that the Park could accommodate the number of people predicted to attend, though parking availability might prove challenging.

h)            Upcoming Music Festival Event. The Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) stated that the upcoming ‘Beats & Eats Summer Festival’ would be run by the same operator as the Town & Country Show. She addressed Members’ concerns by explaining that the music festival would be treated as a family event, and would not go on late or involve any camping.

i)             Additional Upcoming Event. Sam: The Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) informed the Committee that an additional application for an event not listed in the report had recently been received for a traditional dance performance in the Park, due to be held by the site of the old banqueting house. It was suggested that a site near the Mansion would be more suitable – the Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) stated she would investigate that possibility.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)          Authorise officers to explore hosting children’s funfairs in Nonsuch Park to generate revenue.

(2)          Nominate and authorise Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Head of Operational Services, Interim Assistant Head of Service Streetcare, and Head of Legal to complete final negotiations and agreement of contractual terms and enter into licence agreements as necessary for all events in the park as set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report.

(3)          Nominate and authorise Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Head of Operational Services, Interim Assistant Head of Service Streetcare, and Operational Services Business Advisor to apply for a Premises Licence for the London Road Picnic Area to ensure compliance with licencing regulations for large events.

(4)          Note the upcoming events in the park for 2025.