Community Petition Challenges New Park Licensing Fees
Hundreds of individuals have signed a petition urging Bristol City Council to reconsider recent changes to park licences that impact a postnatal choir.
The Bring Your Own Baby (BYOB) choir offers singing classes for new mothers in three parks across Bristol.
Julia Turner, the choir's founder, expressed concerns about the affordability of the classes due to the council charging £400 annually for park use. She noted that professional dog walkers incur lower fees than her group.
Council representatives stated that licences are necessary to maintain park safety and are not designed to favor any particular business type.
The choir is among numerous small enterprises affected by new fees introduced last month by Bristol City Council, which now requires payment for operating in parks.
'It saddens me'
Turner highlighted that the £8 per session classes aim to support new mothers during the postnatal period, a time when they are vulnerable to depression.
"It's a chance to get together and singing is quite bonding," she said.
"Being outside adds so much to the wellbeing benefits of singing because we're around the trees."
She described her confusion over paying 50% more than dog walkers, despite dog walking businesses using the parks more frequently.
"As a mother myself, I feel like we already have to deal with a lot. We don't have the mental health support that we should have. It just baffles and really saddens me," she added.
To date, 85 businesses have applied for licences. A 50% discount is available to businesses with a turnover under £25,000 that use seven or fewer city parks, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Kate Spreadbury from Bristol Parks Forum indicated that the new fees have made it financially unviable to continue leading walks in Bristol.
"If we want to have an active and inclusive city, we need to support the groups used and valued in our communities.
"This policy is now doing real harm and we ask that you review its use urgently," she added.
Bristol City Council emphasized that licences ensure groups using parks are qualified and insured, and that parks remain safe and enjoyable.
The council also stated that any profits from the licences will be reinvested into park maintenance and improvements.
Councillor Stephen Williams, chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee, clarified the fee structure.
"There is no specific discount applied to professional dog walkers, who are charged under a different fee structure to the Parks Business Licence.
"This approach reflects how commercial dog walking is commonly managed by other local authorities and does not represent a reduction compared with other activities, nor is it intended to provide preferential treatment to any one type of business."
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