Council officers are “working hard” to make sure a Christmas event in Linwood goes ahead – as organisers complained about 11th-hour paperwork problems.
The popular festivity is due to be held at St Benedict’s High School on Saturday, December 17.
But the community council running it has raised concerns over “bureaucratic obstacles”.
Jim McLeod, the group’s chair, said it was “unfair” they had encountered licensing issues so close to the day, while Councillor Alison Ann-Dowling, who represents the town, said Renfrewshire Council’s approach to supporting these events needed refreshed.
However, according to the local authority, a public entertainment licence for a planned funfair and a street trader’s licence for a food van were still required.
Mr McLeod said: “We contacted the council to book the event venue in St Benedict’s High School, Linwood, in good faith and signed all the paperwork we were asked to sign while supplying all relevant information requested.
“It’s unfair that ordinary members of the public are hit with licensing problems so close to an event.
“The council needs to do more to help us stage events and remove bureaucratic obstacles.”
Councillor Ann-Dowling claimed the community council had undertaken to complete relevant procedures and applications “well in advance” of the event later this month.
She added: “I am working with Linwood community council and council officers to resolve these difficulties so that the event can go ahead and be the best festive experience possible for the people of Linwood and not undermine the hard work undertaken in good faith by Linwood community council members.”
A council spokesperson said events are a “fundamental part” of its strategy for Renfrewshire and that it recognised how important they are to local communities.
They added: “We also have to make sure that events are safe. Rides need to have safety certificates and operators need to be properly insured.
“Linwood Community Council booked St Benedict’s High School for their event earlier in the year and all the paperwork for that booking is in place.
“However, their contractor still needs a public entertainment licence for the funfair and a street trader’s licence for the food van.
“We have been in constant contact with the contractor since October 17 to try and get the documents we need to process the licences.
“We have also sent regular reminders about the outstanding paperwork.”
The council said that on Thursday it received further paperwork from the contractor, meaning it now had the “majority” of the necessary documents.
The spokesperson continued: “We are working very hard to make sure that this event goes ahead but, at the end of the day, it’s up to the applicant to show their rides are safe and that they are properly insured in case something goes wrong.”
Councillor Ann-Dowling said she was working with officers to develop training for voluntary and community groups on the matter.
She said: “I’m also calling on Renfrewshire Council to refresh their approach to supporting the development and delivery of festive events in towns and villages across Renfrewshire.
“It’s important that local volunteers are helped with development, delivery, event infrastructure and marketing associated with festive events in a way that works for them.
“I’m, therefore, working with council officers to establish a comprehensive and joined-up training workshop that voluntary and community groups can attend, to help prevent some of the difficulties that Linwood community council is dealing with through no fault of their own.”
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