I don't know that anyone is really suggesting corruption. In my opinion (and I worked for this Council for 36 years) the main problems are ignorance and unwillingness to take risks.
In this particular case the Council seems unwilling to use the expertise built up over many years particularly Pete's (Shanty Jack) who booked the artists for the equivalent event for over 20 years. And folk festivals up and down the country are almost always organised by folk enthusiasts who know what folkies want and give immense amounts of time for nothing. I personally would be very wary of any festival run by 'businessmen' as there's not usually enough money available to provide a reasonable profit. That's why we have to rely on sponsorship. Last year we were happy to go ahead with a festival sponsored by local busineses and organisations relying on good connections built up over the years and many friends giving up their services for free or expenses only. The Council's late offer of sponsorship was very welcome but in no way vital. I know that Pete and Mick have spent plenty of time and money arranging this year's festival and it seems very wrong to be moving the goalposts at the eleventh hour (lovely mixed metaphor there to lighten the mood)
I was often told that the Hull event was considered the best in the country and I know it attracted enthusiasts from far away. It seems such a retrograde step to change a winning formula for change's sake.

Last year