Appendix 4 - Public Processions Code of Conduct
Perth and Kinross Council · 8 September 2022
Back to Licensing Committee — 8 September 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Public Processions Code of Conduct All organisers should: provide 28 days notice to the Council of the intention to hold a procession; 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 the route is as agreed with the Council; ensure that the number of participants does not exceed that stated in the notification; ensure that the procession commences promptly, at the time stated, and finishes at the time stated; ensure that all participants have been informed of any conditions imposed on the procession (change of timing, change to route etc); ensure anyone under the influence of alcohol and drugs is not allowed to participate; ensure an appropriate ratio of stewards and 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 the public; ensure that, wherever possible, processions follow main roads, rather than going through residential housing developments; ensure that all participants keep 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, if necessary, 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;
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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 Code of Conduct 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; ensure that no banners or similar placards likely to incite a breach of the peace or contravene the Terrorism Act 2000 are displayed; note that the terms of the local byelaws, wherein force, 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. All participants in processions should: behave with due regard for the rights, traditions and feelings of others in the vicinity of the procession, particularly in areas where there has previously been public disorder around processions; behave with due respect at “sensitive” areas such as places of worship; refrain from using words or behaviour which could reasonably be perceived as being deliberately aggressive (ie threatening, abusive, homophobic, sectarian or racist); obey the lawful direction of procession organisers, stewards and the Police at all times; keep to the designated route as directed by the Police; refrain from consuming alcohol or drugs prior to or during the procession; not display banners or similar placards likely to incite a breach of the peace or contravene the Terrorism Act 2000; disperse in good order as soon as the procession concludes.