So, what's the story on public places again? I know that parks need licences for festivals, and presumably anything else? What about town squares? And busking?

And what if people meet in a pub, make music together, but say that it's a rehearsal?

On a 'mainstream' note, as I've said privately to The Shambles, Trac (Welsh music traditions development company) decided on the weekend to get a dossier together on this whole question and submit it with questions to the Welsh Local Government Association, Wales Tourist Board, Welsh Arts Council, National Assembly departments, et al for comment. The intent thereafter is to call a meeting to face them down on some issues.

I must also have a look at the recently instituted "Power to Promote Well Being", given to Councils by the Local Authority Act:

Section 2 (1) of the Local Government Act 2000 ("The Act") creates a new power for county/county borough councils to do anything which they consider is likely to promote or improve the economic, social and environmental well being of their areas. This power came into force in Wales on 9 April 2001 in case it should prove useful to local authorities in addressing problems arising from the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

I'm assuming that the overall Act is UK (maybe not?) The Welsh one should be here but that's assuming I did the BCT right ... and I've never quite managed before so ...

At any rate, I had a meeting some time back with WLGA reps. and the Power includes stuff like:

* a move away from "preventative" legislation * is generic and applies across all social and economic circumstances faced by local communities * must enable responsive and innovative services in partnership with other bodies * aimed at maximising flexibility * allows councils the means to pursue the priorities set out in the community strategy in partnership with local organisations and local communities

Re: that last, this suggests that folkies are well advised to get in touch with their community/parish councils to make SURE that live music and leisure/social music making is noted in the local Community Plan.

Letter-writers in rural areas in England should also drop a line to the Countryside Agency. Unfortunately, it doesn't cover Wales, but its sway is considerable in Eng.

sian