Let me do some between the lines interpretation!
A quote form Kevins reply

"The two main council decisions arising from the review, of which the festival organisers are well aware, were that: 1. The Council would enter into a limited agreement with Mrs Casey's Music for them to manage a festival in 2005 with ITS financial support comparable to that of previous years."

Do we take this to mean the Concil want to emply Mrs Casey (and all their Stewards and Staff to run the festival?

I can fully understand Mrs Casey's standpoint if this is the case,
EFDSS took the festival to Sidmouth!
Mrs Casey (Like them or hate them) made it work again
Now the golden egg is being stalked by someone - I for one would not be interested in Working for Sidmouth Council - I don't think -

Health and Safety and PELs are bad enough without throwing Council politics and egos in to the ring too!

Someobody please interpret this differently = tell me I am wrong and it doesn't say that at all!

Andy