Protect Brockwell Park (PBP) – the campaign group that opposes large events in the park – is appealing for help from people with experience in accountancy, finance, trust law, and local government.
The group says it is pursuing several ways to progress its campaign against Lambeth council, including investigating licence breaches, submitting freedom of information requests, and experts’ reports.
In an appeal to supporters, which says the park was “trashed” by recent Brockwell Live events and the Lambeth Country Show, PBP says it is turning its attention to Lambeth council’s dual role as both the local authority and the trustee of Brockwell Park.
“We are exploring how these distinct roles impact financial decisions relating to the park,” it said in a message to supporters.
In particular, it is asking:
- How much income is generated from the park?
- How much of that income is reinvested in the park?
- Where does other funding for the park come from and how has it changed over time?
- Is any income from the park being diverted to fund unrelated activities?
- “Most importantly, are the council’s legal obligations as trustee truly being met?”
Recent freedom of information requests by the London Centric digital news service revealed that Haringey council in North London made £1.34m from festivals and that Lambeth council declined to answer the request “on commercial grounds”.
London Centric said a previous request showed Lambeth council earned £930,000 from events in its parks in 2023, including £510,000 from Brockwell Park and £210,000 from Clapham Common.
PBP is waiting for the outcome of Lambeth council’s appeal against its High Court victory and its own second legal challenge against the certificate the council granted allowing the five Brockwell Live events to go ahead.
It has renewed its appeal for funds to support its campaign. So far, its second fundraising campaign has reached of more than half of its “stretch” target of £25,000 with £12,646 pledged.
crowdjustice.com/case/protect-judgment-brockwell-park/
Oh my god give it s break