Anyone putting on an event in Medway next year will have to meet new planning requirements, despite a warning it could create “a wall of admin”.

Councillors have approved changes to streamline the process of setting up outdoor events for community groups and large organisations.

The aim is to guarantee health and safety and emergency measures are in place and effective, and ensure there is minimal disruption to residents.

A report on the plans explained how currently outdoor events are managed by whichever council service looks after the land being used, such as Norse Greenspaces, Heritage Team, or a Town Centre Management Team.

It continued: "Each service has its own set of criteria for allowing an event to happen. Fees, charges and processes vary significantly, and the support that event organisers receive differs depending on the skills and experience of officers in each team.

"This new policy will view all outdoor events under a single standardised framework that will support the coordinated growth of outdoor events across Medway."

The changes were supported by Labour and independent councillors at a meeting on October 19 but members of the Conservative group said they had reservations.

They suggested the plans were a one-size-fits-all approach that would make organising events more difficult for smaller groups.

Cllr Howard Doe (Con) warned against creating “a wall of administration”.

He said: “I think it’s very necessary that we brought all of the administration of events together because I think there was a risk of waste.

“This should provide a very efficient system.

“However, what worries me is the fact we must beware of creating an administrative labyrinth which organisations who are highly professional can deal with very easily, but the lesser organisations are going to find it very difficult.

“What we have to do is work as a partnership, rather than this resulting in the council with all its various protections and the organisation confronted with a wall of administration.”

Labour members argued the proposals already accommodated smaller events, meaning there were some regulations that would not apply based upon the size and type of event.

Cllr Chris Spalding (Ind) said he welcomed the plans.

“I believe that the time is right, that we do need a policy and the clarity in place, because it leads to guidelines for community people to know exactly what they’re doing.

“It doesn’t mean that at a later date that we can’t change it.”

Cllr Harinder Mahil (Lab), portfolio holder for heritage, culture and leisure, said: “Outdoor events in all their guises are important for the vitality of Medway.

“They boost trade, a sense of community and belonging, and most importantly a sense of inclusion and safety.

“One part of getting all of that right, getting successful, commercial or otherwise, and consistent events in Medway, is having a set of policies that are clear, accessible, and regularised.

“We need to provide reassurance that we’re doing everything we can to hold events here in Medway as safely as possible and that all risks are considered.”

The changes are to come into effect sometime in early 2024.