People power forces city leaders to rethink licences for free art shows

COUNCIL leaders in Edinburgh are set to back down over a threat to impose licences on all free arts events in the city, in the wake of a huge outcry.

The Scotsman understands they may defy legal advice from their officials and vote to suspend enforcement of controversial new legislation after being warned it would destroy the arts scene in the capital.

Senior SNP councillors who are responsible for the city’s stewardship of festivals and arts have held crisis talks amid fears grass-roots events could be killed off.

A series of online campaigns and bloggers have attacked the plans by the council, which said it would waive fees for the new licences but insisted they were needed for legal reasons.

Rob Munn, chair of the licensing committee, which will discuss the issue on Friday, last week said that the impact of the licences may have to be monitored for several months before the council decided what kind of events to exempt.

But, in an apparent change of stance, he told his Twitter followers over the weekend that the council was now “pulling out all the stops to ensure grassroots arts events need no licence”.

Speaking for the first time on the issue, city culture leader Deidre Brock said: “We very much recognise how important grass-roots arts activity is to the city and would not want anything to threaten that.”

Councillors in Glasgow have already voted against bringing in charges and permits for events like book readings, art exhibitions and live music performances, after a revolt from performers, promoters and venue managers.

The Scottish Government has insisted it is for individual local authorities to decide how to interpret the new legislation. Arts impresario Rupert Thomson, who is behind the new Summerhall arts centre in Edinburgh’s Southside said: “Small events are usually no more risky than many day-to-day activities, and to require a licence for these seems entirely unnecessary and unhelpful.

“More than that, the hassle will only make life more difficult for artists and organisers looking to put on events for the public good.”

New York-born singer Lach, founder of the anti-folk movement, said: “I recently moved myself and my family to Edinburgh specifically because I felt a fresh surge in the arts and music scene here and felt I could be an effective participant in it.

“However, my enthusiasm and trust in the Scottish belief in their music and art has taken a serious hit as I see the council considering requiring licences for free events. This will choke the life out of a budding artistic population.”

Officials at City of Edinburgh Council have warned that because all organisers of arts events who charge entry must get a licence, the new legislation affecting free shows must be enforced.

Labour councillors revealed over the weekend that they were opposed to the introduction of licences and have called for the advice of council officials to be overturned. Leith councillor Gordon Munro said: “This would kill the local arts scene in Edinburgh. The committee should just reject the introduction of these new licences.”

However, Steve Cardownie, deputy council leader, said: “This is clearly a decision for the licensing committee. There are differences between the political will and the legal reality, and discussions are ongoing to find a way around them.”