No-go for Staindrop church's plan to advertise fayre on village green

A group of parish councillors have agreed that it would be “unlawful” to allow local businesses and organisations to advertise on their village green.
Staindrop Parish Council received a request from the church for permission to put up a banner on the village green promoting a Christmas fayre. A suggestion was also made about allowing temporary advertising to help publicise events in the village.
At last week’s meeting, parish clerk Tom Bolton said: “We were asked to consider some proposals for advertising on the village green. There was a suggestion that some advertising be used to promote events at Scarth Hall and other organisations using triangular correx boards that would slip over the bollards.
“There was also a request from the church for putting up a banner on the village green to advertise the Christmas fayre that is going to be held.”
Having sought advice, a report setting out the legal position was presented at the meeting which explained that it would be an offence to put up such signs unless done with a “view to the better enjoyment of the green”.
Mr Bolton said: “We’ve been told that as a public body we cannot grant a permission for what would be in essence an unlawful act.
“The parish council has a role in relation to the village green as a custodial. The 19th century legislation and bylaws essentially make certain issues unlawful. If something is going to happen on the green that is linked to the use of the green such as the annual village carnival, that is entirely consistent with the statutory use of the green.
“Advertising and notices have crept up in the past. We have consistently opposed requests for notices on the village green. Once a notice board goes up on the village green for a particular event or activity it makes it much harder to resist calls for other notices in the future. I am suggesting that we simply continue with the process we have followed in the past.”
However, Cllr Ed Chicken disagreed and said the parish council should be helping local businesses.
He said: “We are talking about the protection of the greens but it is not as though someone is wanting to drive trucks over them or damage them. I’m accepting that we should be consistent.
“I don’t have a problem with consistency but we have litter bins on the green and bollards. I understand we can’t do something that is unlawful. Our role should be seen as trying to find a way of helping local organisations and businesses.”
Cllr Tony Smith said: “I think we sometimes have to be flexible for the village based businesses and support them. I can understand if businesses in the village were putting out A-boards for seven days a week. What if they shut down because they are getting no trade? I just think let’s do something.”
Cllr Roger Humphries expressed his concerns if advertising was to be allowed. He said: “If the banner had been for a Christmas market on the green we could have agreed to it but we are not in a position legally to agree to anything. In addition to that there is a practical issue. I don’t want to be in a position where we would be deciding what is worthy and what is not. Our credibility would be even lower than what it is now. This is the thing that worries me.”
It was agreed that contact would be made with the landowner, Raby Estates, to find out their stance.
Clerk Mr Bolton said: “It might seem pedantic but it is important that we act as a council within the law.”
Chairman Cllr David Reed added: “Our hands are tied. That is the way it is at the moment.”