"The problems were explained to the dancers and we discussed how we would like to work with them to ensure a safe event for next Easter."

That sounds to me like a typical press release answer. Elsewhere the article says that the Council's idea of ensuring a safe event is for the dancers to stay on the pavement, which they say is not possible. Even if they were to stay on the pavement, I can't see how this will prevent random members of the public wandering onto the highway (which they have a legal right to use)