Statement from Rutland County Council Leader, Councillor Oliver Hemsley regarding Travellers Christian Festival event at Rutland Showground
It has been a challenging weekend for many of the county’s residents and businesses, and I would like to thank all residents for your support and patience.
Rutland County Council was not made aware of this event as no event application was submitted in advance.
Our standard event procedures require for event organisers to submit an event application and risk statements, which enable partners to review to ensure all aspects of an event – from health and safety, including compliance with Covid-19 regulations through to traffic management – are compliant. Unfortunately, without prior notification, the Council and its partners were unable to do this.
We have been working closely with partners, especially the Police, to manage and respond to the immediate issues arising from this event, including putting in place increased patrols across our community.
Officers will be undertaking traffic management at key times, including school drop off and pick up, and will also be located at areas that are attracting increased numbers.
Plans are underway to ensure minimal disruption to the community at key points in the event, for example the event closing.
There is ongoing communication with the event organiser. We have reviewed their event procedures and documentation and will be making relevant recommendations to improve the running of this event to protect attendees and the wider community.
Additionally, we are looking to increase the numbers and presence of our Covid-19 Marshalls in our towns, offering PPE to the event organisers to distribute amongst participants and providing PPE to key shops.
I truly understand the concern that the events of this weekend have brought to the county and want to assure you that the Council and its partners are doing all we can to protect you.
