The often perverse and contradictory attitude to live music within local authorities is beautifully illustrated - literally - by the Local Government Association 2008 accounts: http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/aio/751363

Entitled 'In Tune - In Touch', the document features handsome photographs of musical instruments, particularly drums and brass - a design concept clearly intended to convey a message of harmony and co-ordination.

But only last week we learned that LACORS, the regulatory arm of the Local Government Association, wants to criminalise the provision of brass instruments, drums and bagpipes unless licensed:
http://www.lacors.gov.uk/lacors/ContentDetails.aspx?id=23111 [click on response link]

And the LGA Group, which includes LACORS, publicly opposes the government's suggested entertainment licensing exemption for small gigs:
http://www.lacors.gov.uk/lacors/ContentDetails.aspx?id=22985 [click on response link]

Meanwhile the LGA has drastically restricted public access to its website:
http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=2

The organisation, almost entirely funded by public money, lobbies central government on behalf of local authorities. It is apparently exempt from Freedom of Information legislation.

ENDS

Hamish Birchall