Public Processions policy

 

GUIDELINES FOR ORGANISERS

The organiser of a procession will be required to agree to certain conditions when notifying the Council of his/her intention to hold a procession.   In practice, there will be a degree of flexibility in how far the guidelines operate to reflect local circumstances.

All organisers should :

 

§          provide 28 days notice to the Police and the Council of the intention to hold a procession, except in those circumstances where this period of notice would be impractical;

 

§          give notification as early as possible in those cases where a series of similar processions is proposed;

 

§          co-operate with the Council and the Police from the time of submission of the notification of a procession until the procession disperses;

 

§          identify himself/herself to the Police Officer in charge at the commencement of the procession;

 

§          ensure that all participants have been informed of any conditions imposed on the procession (change to timing, change to route etc);

 

§          ensure anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not allowed to participate;

 

§          ensure an appropriate ratio of stewards or marshals to participants (one to ten) and that all stewards:

-     are briefed by organisers and given guidance/instruction on their role prior to the procession;

-     carry proof of status;

-     co-operate with the Police as required;

-     are highly visible and easily identifiable;

-     conduct themselves in a proper manner;

-     ensure that participants comply with directions regarding their own public safety and that of members of the public;

 

§          ensure that, wherever possible, processions follow main roads, rather than going through residential housing developments;

 

§          ensure that all participants do not march more than four abreast, keeping to the near or left hand side of the street except on one-way streets where they will keep to the right side;

 

§          ensure that the Police are assisted in guaranteeing that passage is allowed for traffic and pedestrians;

 

§          ensure that the procession is split into sections in order to avoid serious dislocation of traffic and to facilitate the crossing of pedestrians who have a right of free access and passage to or through any public area;

 

§          ensure that all playing of music ceases when approaching and passing places of worship while services are in progress, as instructed by the Police;

 

§          ensure all participants disperse as soon as the procession concludes;

 

§          ensure that the behaviour of participants could not reasonably be perceived as being deliberately aggressive (ie threatening, abusive, homophobic, sectarian, or racist);

 

§          accept that he/she is responsible for the behaviour of all participants, including bands where appropriate, (as well as followers) and for ensuring general compliance with the Council’s policy on public processions and Police instructions;

 

§          note that the conditions of Section 62 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 in relation to the use of loudspeakers shall be observed;

 

§          note that the terms of the Public Order Act 1986 in relation to the prohibition of the wearing of uniforms signifying association with any political organisations etc shall be observed;

 

§          note that the terms of the City of Glasgow District Council (Prohibition of the consumption of Alcohol) Byelaws 1996, in relation to the prohibition of the consumption of alcohol by any person in a designated place shall be observed;

 

§          note that the Council may take into account any public disorder, anti-social behaviour or damage to property resulting from a specific procession if notification is received from the organiser for a similar march.