We want the local authority [Telford and Wrekin Council] to firstly provide evidence and literature for the new bylaw passed on 23/11/2017 that prevents buskers and street entertainment within the Telford Southwater area, unless newly enforced rules are adhered to, which ultimately is designed to stop busking within the Telford Southwater precinct (this area is 'Public Highway' NOT 'private property'.
This bylaw has been passed along with a 'Code of Conduct' without public consultation, with the groups and community that it will impact, nor has the code of conduct been written in conjunction with the buskers. This new law was passed to ban amplification, but no has any noise sample been taken from any buskers to suggest that amplification levels are too high. It is purely a move to make money for the council at the disruption of our busking community.
Why is this important?
This is important for the local buskers and for the community as a whole.
with the ever expanding and growing town and ever increasing population comes art and culture. Buskers do a good job of entertaining the public and providing light entertainment generally in a professional and pleasant manner. Some of the buskers in Telford, of which maybe 10 are regular, rely on their busing monies to support them in their daily lives. Food, Water, Electric.. the essentials.
It also has farther reaching benefits amongst those who struggle with mental health difficulties who use busking as a way to interact with the community where otherwise they wouldn't.
This 'LAW' is designed to remove art and culture and to shut down buskers from being heard. it is supression of the arts for the benefit of big business.
