Chiefs 'united' over scrapping country show (From Your Local Guardian)

Chiefs 'united' over scrapping country show

3:45pm Friday 17th February 2012 in Streatham By Rachel Blundy

Police and council chiefs have insisted they are ‘not divided’ over the decision to cancel this year’s Lambeth Country Show, after police said they would have gone ahead with the popular summer festival.

Despite council claims the event would pose a ‘security risk’ because police resources were stretched during the Olympics, police said last week they had not advised the council to cancel the show.

But in a joint statement today, Lambeth council leader Steve Reed and Chief Superintendent Matt Bell, Lambeth’s Borough Commander, said there was “no question of any difference of view between the council and the police” on the matter.

They said police concerns regarding security fears had been raised as part of an “ongoing dialogue” about public safety, and were taken into account when the council made its decision to cancel the show.

They said: “We both support the council’s plans to cancel this year’s Lambeth Country Show and reschedule a smaller event for later in the summer.

“Holding the show as usual, just days before the start of the London Olympics, would be difficult because of the lack of available infrastructure such as portaloos, fencing and sound systems which have been allocated to other Olympic-related events, and because of the increased costs of security at a time of heightened risks.

“There is no question of any difference of view between the council and the police on this matter.

“Police concerns were raised with the council as part of our ongoing dialogue about public safety and were taken into account as part of the council’s decision making.

“We both look forward to a very successful Olympic Games, a smaller event instead of the Country Show for this year only, and from next year the return of the Lambeth Country Show, which will be bigger and better than ever before.”

In a previous statement last week, Chief Supt Bell insisted the police had not advised the council about whether to hold the Brockwell Park festival.

He said: “The Lambeth Country Show is a local authority organised event of long standing and ultimately it remains their decision as to whether the event goes ahead.

“We will of course continue to work closely and in partnership with the council and support them in their ultimate decision.”

The council is yet to give further details on how community groups can bid for funding to stage an alternative event, or how much money will be made available.

It is also yet to confirm when the issue might be debated at a future council meeting, as it technically remains a ‘recommendation’ rather than a final decision.

A petition to save the show needs just 1000 more signatures to prompt a review from councillors.