Campaigners still concerned over Edinburgh live entertainment license By BRIAN FERGUSON Published on Friday 9 March 2012 16:32 CAMPAIGNERS say are still "very concerned" about proposed new entertainment licences in Edinburgh after it emerged organisers face having to secure one for all events with a capacity of more than 200. Outdoor art exhibitions, live music events, charity fundraisers and even gala days are expected to be worst affected by the proposed new rules, amid growing confusion over how councils should interpret the rules. Councillors in the capital voted to enforce the new rules, on condition small events were exemption, despite the Scottish Government insisting that it did not want the arts community affected. Organisers of free events held from April 1, after new legislation comes into force, and April 20, when councillors will debate proposed exemptions, will be effectively breaking the law in the city. However the city council has signalled that it will only be strictly enforcing the rules on organisers of "large-scale" events in previously-unlicensed venues. Council officials insist they do not want to damage small-scale arts events, but should still be able to bring larger events under control, such as "flash raves" and fireworks displays. They told campaigners that small-scale events would not come under their "attention or focus." But the new rules could affect exhibitions in venues like Princes Street Gardens, St Andrew Square Gardens and Portobello Beach as well as musicians playing outside in the Royal Mile, Grassmarket and the Meadows. Edinburgh's stance is in contrast to Glasgow, where the council has decided to put enforcement of the new legislation on hold for six months while a review of its impact on arts venues and events is carried out. It has emerged that justice secretary Kenny MacAskill has now been forced to write to every local authority in the country giving new guidance on the new law after it emerged artists faced a confusing "patchwork" of rules and regulations. He insisted: "It was never insisted that all free events should be licensed." The escalating rows over the need for free licences have been a major embarrassment for culture minister Fiona Hyslop, as the new legislation is coming into force during the Year of Creative Scotland, which she is responsible for. Ms Hyslop, who is facing criticism in her own West Lothian constituency over the threat to local gala days, has also had to intervene, saying the government does not want exhibitions and performances to be hampered. She added: "We and the public will expect councils to continue to support the fantastic individual, grassroots and community cultural activity which take place." Councillors warned the city's licensing committee that they faced having to deal with at least 20 applications a week for public entertainment licences if they chose to strictly interpret the legislation. However a compromise deal hatched in the wake of a stormy public meeting last week has seen councillors proposed exempting smaller events like book readings, poetry recitals, live music sessions and art exhibitions, as long as their capacity is no more than 200. Neil Cooper, spokesman for the Stop Public Entertainment Licence Changes campaign, told the hearing that there were still concerns about the need to get a licence for projects like the transformation of the Scotsman Steps into a work of art last year. It is absurd and ridiculous but if you take this legislation to its logical limits then that is where it ends. Morvern Cunningham, organiser of the Leith Late event, said: "We are still very concerned about putting a capacity limit on events. We were originally looking for a 500-capacity limit, but 200 is the absolute minimum we would be prepared to accept. Labour councillor Ricky Henderson was among those to raise concern at the committee meeting, saying: "I can't understand why we are looking at exempting certain events rather than saying which specific events should need a licence." Rob Munn, chair of the licensing committee, said: "All free to enter public entertainment events still require to be licensed from April 1 but we are doing everything in our power to minimise the impact this will have."