Review of Marches and Parades in Scotland

6 Current practices in Scotland

Introduction

6.1 This chapter of my report describes the current processes for taking decisions about notifications of marches and complaints. I have been grateful to local authorities and police forces for the useful and detailed information they have provided about how they handle notifications submitted under Part V of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

6.2 During the Review, I have reflected carefully on this information and on people's views of how things are currently done to see if there are areas where improvements can be made and good practice shared. Overall, I have come to the conclusion that processes are very varied across Scotland, and, while I recognise absolutely the importance of ensuring processes are appropriate to local circumstances, I think a greater degree of consistency is important. Clearly, processes have evolved over the 22 years that the legislation has been in existence. During that time, there has, of course, been major changes to local government in Scotland through reorganisation and to central government in Scotland through devolution. I think it is time to look afresh at the ways things are done, to freshen up, modernise and professionalise the process. My recommendations for change are contained in Chapters 12 to 16. They have been informed by what I have found currently happens.

Current processes

How notification is given

6.3 Many local authorities have a standard form for organisers to complete to give notice of their intention to hold a march or parade. The form sets out clearly the information required from the organiser and is based on the requirements of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. Forms vary across local authority areas but the required information includes:

the name and contact details (address and telephone number) of the organiser;
the organisation he/she represents;
the date and time of the procession;
the proposed route;
the estimated number of participants;
the estimated number of vehicles; and
details of stewarding and arrangements for control.

6.4 Some local authorities ask for more information to help them come to a decision on the notification including:

the reason for the procession;
the nature of the event;
a check that the organiser has notified the police;
whether it is a sponsored event;
whether it is an annual event;
will there be a street collection;
the estimated number of coaches bringing participants;
the time and point of assembly;
the dispersal time;
the names of any accompanying bands; and
details of any return processions.

6.5 In all cases the form must be signed by the organiser. The forms are often accompanied by simple instructions about their completion. Forms also give the contact detail of the local authority department to which notifications should be submitted. Some forms also include a summary of the standard conditions relating to the conduct of marches and parades, ensuring that these are clear to the organiser at the outset.

6.6 Those authorities which do not have standard forms require notice to be submitted in writing. They feel it is difficult to cover all the information in a standard form because of the variety of processions being notified. However, they require very similar information of the organiser.

How much notice is given

6.7 The legislation only requires organisers to give seven days notice. However, many organisers given considerably more notice. Organisers I have spoken to stress that they always give as much notice as they can, many giving at least 28 days if not more. Local authorities feel that the current system only works because organisers act responsibly and give them more notice. Local authorities stress to organisers the need to give them longer than seven days and emphasise this in their application forms and guidance. Some local authorities specifically ask for 28 days notice to be given whenever possible, others ask for two months.

6.8 Some areas are looking at how to improve advance planning and, in one local authority area, the police wrote, at the beginning of 2004, to all organisers of events which took place in 2003 enclosing the notification form and asking them to complete the application form for any events they were planning in 2004 and 2005. This was to ensure that the police could make effective arrangements for policing events well in advance to minimise disruption to police officers.

6.9 Chapter 12 considers the period of notice and recommendations 1 and 2 propose changes.

How notifications of marches and parades are currently handled: general processes

6.10 While there is no one model of how local authorities and police forces deal with notifications of marches and parades submitted to them under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, there are some broadly similar themes in the way in which notifications are processed.

Local authorities

6.11 On receipt, the notification is circulated to the elected members for the wards through which the procession will go, inviting their views. A copy is also sent to various departments within the local authority for comment (in most cases the roads department for traffic disruption and in some cases environmental services for cleansing, transportation services, land services, legal services, parking enforcement). Some local authorities also send a copy to the local police station and, sometimes, the relevant police central events planning office specifically inviting a report on the notification (although the organisers are themselves responsible for ensuring that a copy of the notification goes to the police). Other local authorities have a wider range of interests they consult, particularly for larger processions, including where appropriate the management company for trunk roads, British Transport Police, the fire service and the ambulance service. Clearly, the amount of time given to respond depends on the amount of notice given by the organiser. Many local authorities feel that the current system only works because organisers are responsible and give more than the seven days notice.

6.12 Some local authorities send out an acknowledgement letter to the organiser, explaining the process and that they will be in touch once they have considered the notification.

6.13 In most local authorities, officials have delegated powers to take decisions on non-controversial notifications. The definition of what is non-controversial varies. However, it is generally based on whether:

objections or concerns have been expressed about the notification;
the purpose of the procession and its organiser. Some local authorities require the appropriate committee to consider notifications for marches from various organisations (the British National Party, the National Front, Combat 18, the James Connolly Society and independent Loyal Orange Lodges);
the predicted size of the event. Some local authorities require the appropriate committee to consider all adult 'sectarian' parades with 500 or more participants, but officials are able to make decisions on smaller parades or juvenile parades; and
whether it requires major road closures. Some local authorities require the appropriate committee to consider notifications which would require a major road closure, but officials are able to make decisions on notifications which would only require a temporary traffic restriction.

6.14 If no objections to the notification are received, the notification does not fall into a controversial category and the police confirm they are content, then officials take the decision under their delegated powers. However, in a few local authorities, all notifications go before a committee.

6.15 For most local authorities, notifications are only considered by a committee if objections or concerns are raised about the notification. The Committee which considers notifications depends on the structure of the local authority. Generally, notifications are considered by the Licensing Committee, or a sub-Committee of the Licensing Committee. In other local authorities it is the General Purposes Committee or the Planning and Regulatory Committee which consider notifications. The committee considers all the comments in front of it and, based on its assessment following consultation with the chief constable, can make an order prohibiting the procession, an order imposing conditions on it or to agree to the procession going ahead. In considering the notification, most committees have a representative of the chief constable in attendance and some committees invite the organisers to their meeting. Clearly, the notification timetable makes it difficult to convene committees and the current system appears to work only because most notifications are non-contentious and most organisers give more than the statutory seven days notice.

6.16 At the end of the process, most local authorities send a letter to the organisers confirming that they may proceed with the procession and drawing their attention to the general conditions which they have in place governing the conduct of processions and whether the police have imposed any additional conditions. Some local authorities take the opportunity to indemnify the authority from claims for injury. Other local authorities only send a letter to the organiser if there are specific conditions to be imposed.

Police forces

6.17 In parallel, the police have their own processes to follow. In many areas, the police hold meetings with organisers of processions to discuss the practical issues surrounding the timing and routes of their event, the extent of any disruption and any concerns that the police may have. These meetings are held with the local officer, normally of sergeant or inspector rank, over the practicalities of the event. They often discuss marshalling and stewarding. They sometimes discuss the standard conditions about how processions should be conducted which various police forces have developed. Some police forces explain these conditions and the responsibilities of the organiser and require the organiser to sign a declaration. These are generally informal meetings and are rarely formally recorded. However, they are usually productive in ensuring arrangements for marches and parades are successful and go well on the day. I understand that organisers, in the main, approach these meetings in a constructive way and are receptive to these discussions and are prepared to reach compromises over the practicalities.

6.18 Local authorities are rarely involved in these practical discussions, although some areas have joint working parties or planning groups to deal with larger processions involving the local authority and sometimes a wider group of relevant interests. Sometimes the police will give the local authority a summary of meetings and the conditions that they discussed both at the meeting with the organiser, supplemented by the views of a more senior officer. If there are any concerns that have not been resolved with the organiser these are highlighted in the report. If there are adverse concerns expressed in the report, the local authority Committee will consider them in reaching their decisions about notifications.

Related recommendations

6.19 Chapter 12 (specifically recommendations 4, 5 and 6), Chapter 13 (specifically recommendations 12, 13, and 14), Chapter 14 (specifically recommendations 15, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22, and 23) consider the way notifications are handled and the decision making processes.

Exempt organisations: organisations which do not require to notify their intention to hold a march or parade

Exempt organisations

6.20 Under Section 62(6) the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, local authorities can make orders exempting organisations from the need to notify their intention to hold a march or parade. The intention behind this provision seems to have been to allow local discretion to local authorities to exempt community groups, for example gala day parades, from the notification process. Orders under this section vary considerably across the country and local authorities appear to have interpreted it very differently. Some local authorities require all organisations to notify their intention to organise a procession, although make an exception for the Salvation Army and the Scouts and Guides Association under the provisions relating to processions 'customarily or commonly held'. Other local authorities have long lists of groups that are exempt, a number with around 70 organisations. A couple of local authorities have adopted the full list of organisations that were exempt under the former Strathclyde Regional Council, which runs to over 300 organisations (although some are now defunct). These exempt organisations are required only to advise the police of their intention to hold a procession. Very often the police still meet with the exempt organisation to discuss the events to ensure that they can plan effective policing for the procession. Many organisations also notify the local authority and are in contact with departments within the local authority.

6.21 Groups that are listed as exempt include: community councils, community associations, gala day committees, highland games committees, committees organising common ridings, groups organising community festivals, servicemen and veterans groups, various religious groups and some unions. The exemption order only covers the local authority area in which it was made. A fuller list illustrating the organisations which are exempt can be found at Appendix E. Chapter 12, recommendation 3, considers the position of exempt organisations.

Processions that are 'commonly or customarily held'

6.22 Under Section 62(7) of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, processions that are 'commonly or customarily held' are not subject to the notification requirements. The intention behind this provision was to have a general provision exempting organisations such as the Salvation Army and the Scouts and Guide Associations from the notification requirements of the Act. Some local authorities have, however, included those organisations in their list of exempt organisations to clarify their position.

Exceptions to the exemption procedures

6.23 Under Section 62(8) of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, local authorities can set conditions on an exempting order or on processions that would otherwise be regarded as being 'commonly or customarily held'. This might reflect the organiser of the procession or the time of the procession. It enables a local authority to take account of a change in circumstance or of experience gained of the procession in the previous year or of similar processions. Very few authorities have used this power and would argue if a group was not specifically on the exempt list, or the Salvation Army or Scout or Guides Association, then the requirements to notify a procession otherwise applies.

6.24 Those authorities which have made orders under this section variously list some of the following organisations requiring them to notify their intention to hold a procession:

Allan McLean Memorial Flute Band
Ancient Order of Hibernians
Apprentice Boys of Derry
Bridgeton Republican Flute Band
Clydeside Troops Out Movement
Coatbridge Harp Flute Band
Glasgow Irish Freedom Action Committee
Loyal Orange Order
Provincial Grand Black Chapter
Thornliebank Flute Band
West of Scotland Bands Alliance

6.25 In areas, where section 62(8) orders are not made, organisations are required to notify their intention to process unless they are specifically listed as exempt.

Conditions set on the conduct of marches

6.26 Over time, many local authorities together with the police have developed a set of standard conditions that march organisers and participants should follow. These cover very practical issues and generally set out the expected conduct for organisers and participants. In effect, they form the basis of a code of conduct for processions. However, these are not consistent across Scotland and not every list of conditions include all these provisions. Generally, in those local authorities areas which set out conditions they have between 10 and 16 standard conditions which apply to all processions. The sorts of issues covered include:

Conditions to ensure that the details in notification are followed - These conditions make clear that all processions should assemble and commence at the time stated in the notification. They also make clear that all processions should keep to the route stated in the notice. Some authorities make clear that the procession must only promote the reason or the organisation described in the notification;
Conditions about where to march - These conditions explain that the police will give instructions about the width of the carriageway which may be used by the participants depending on the type of carriageway and these instructions should be obeyed. They explain that where there are no footpaths, participants should keep to the right hand side of the road. They also make provision about the width of the march, generally stating that the march should be between four and six abreast and keep to the near or left hand side of the street, except one way streets where they will keep to the right hand side. There is often a general condition requiring that no obstruction should be caused;
Conditions to minimise disruption to traffic and pedestrians - These conditions make clear that the procession should be split into sections in order to avoid serious dislocation of traffic. They require organisers to assist the police in ensuring that passage is allowed for traffic and pedestrians, ensuring provision is made for regular and sufficient pedestrian passage across the parade. Parades will continue moving and no part will stop unless for emergency purpose on direction of or with agreement of the police, or where specifically authorised to do so in advance or at the parade route end;
Conditions about stewarding - These conditions make provision for a minimum of marshals who must be clearly identified and must wear high visibility jackets or tabards with the word 'Steward'. Some ensure that the colour worn must not clash with on duty police officers. Sufficient stewards and marshals shall be present to ensure that participants comply with directions. Some local authorities recommend the level of stewarding they feel to be appropriate, which varies from a minimum of four marshals for each procession or, where the number of participants is over 160, the ratio of marshals to participants should be no less than 1 to 40, another suggests a 1:10 ratio;
Conditions requiring marchers to obey police instructions - these conditions require organisers and participants to comply at all times with the directions or instructions given to them by the police. General conditions are set to ensure that no cause for complaint should be given;
Conditions relating to organisers' responsibilities - These conditions set out clearly the responsibility of organisers before and during the march. Some require an identified official be appointed to liaise with the police before the march. Most require the organiser to identify himself to the police officer in charge of the procession before the procession starts. These conditions make clear that the organiser is responsible for ensuring that conditions about the march are brought to the notice of people, bodies and bands participating. Other authorities emphasise that the responsibility for conduct and safety of participants lies with organisers and recommend that they take separate advice on the question of liability for anyone who might be involved in an accident and suggest short term insurance cover;
Conditions about the playing of music - Generally, these conditions make clear that there should be no music played when approaching or passing places of worship while services are in progress. Some allow for only a side drum to be played when passing places of worship when a ceremony or service is taking place for 50 yards before or after that location to retain the beat. Other conditions go further and require bands to cease playing when approaching and passing places of worship. Other conditions require music only to be played during the procession and not when the procession is assembling;
Conditions about when music can be played - The majority of conditions allow music to be played between 7.30am and 9.00pm. However, that is not consistent and some authorities make provision that music can only be played later, after 8.00am or after 9.00am. Some require music not to be played after 8.00pm;
Conditions about loudhailers - These conditions explain some of the other legislation which applies to the conduct of processions and make clear that the conditions of section 62 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 in relation to the use of loudspeakers need to be observed. That provides that no loudhailers will be used other than for parade control or participant address;
Conditions about what can be carried during a procession - these conditions prohibit the carrying of halberds and weapons of any description shall be carried. They also prevent the display of banners, placards, flags and posters bearing inflammatory images or words; and
Conditions about what can be worn during a procession - These conditions explain some of the other legislation which applies to the conduct of procession. They make clear that the terms of the Public Order Act 1936, in relation to the prohibition of the wearing of uniforms signifying association with political organisations, must be observed. They also provide that no paramilitaristic uniforms will be worn and that the terms of the Terrorism Act 2000, relating to membership and support of and fundraising for a proscribed organisation, must also be observed.

6.27 As well as these general conditions, some authorities have other more specific conditions requiring:

first aid facilities to be available;
children to be carefully supervised; and
provision to be made by the organiser to clear litter from the assembly and dispersal points.

6.28 Chapter 15 considers issues relating to organisers' responsibilities, including a code of conduct (recommendations 28 and 29), stewarding (recommendation 32) and responsibility for onlookers (recommendation 31) and the behaviour of bands (recommendation 33).

Making changes to notifications - changes through discussion, orders and prohibitions

Changes through informal discussion

6.29 Informal discussions with the police sometimes result in changes to timing and routes of notifications. This often reflects the positive nature of informal discussions and organisers' willingness to reach sensible accommodation. The sorts of issues which are taken into account are practical ones about traffic disruption, avoiding clashes with other events and rerouting because of street closures.

Changes through orders

6.30 Most notifications are accepted and do not require changes to be made. One authority estimated it only set conditions on a couple of processions a year. However, local authorities do make orders to impose conditions on processions. These orders are made for the same practical reasons that are also covered in informal discussion.

6.31 Local authorities have made orders to avoid clashes of dates, times and routes with other processions, to enable proper arrangements to be made for police supervision, for better traffic management and to allow road closures and rerouting of bus services. They can reflect amendments to routes following police and transport service concerns. Health and safety considerations also have been taken into account. Examples of restrictions imposed include, a change to the time of a Trades Council parade, a change to a route of a Church of Scotland parade due to traffic congestion, a change to the time and assembly point of a march organised by a political party, a change made to the start time of a band parade to minimise disruption and ensure effective policing. Some have made provision about where music can be played, preventing it being played outside a sheltered housing complex. There was one example of an order being made to allow the carrying of weapons at an army volunteers parade.

6.32 Occasionally organisers appeal the conditions set out in orders. For example a change to a route was successfully appealed. This is rare and most organisers accept the reasons for the conditions set in the order on the notification.

Prohibition orders

6.33 Occasionally, it has been necessary for local authorities to make an order prohibiting a procession from going ahead. This has been done extremely rarely in Scotland. Under the previous legislation governing the holding of processions in Scotland, there were a few examples of prohibitions. In March 1980, Strathclyde Regional Council banned marches by the National Front for a month following their proposal to organise a 'Smash the IRA' march. In April 1981, the Council imposed a three month ban on processions concerned with or connected to directly or indirectly with Northern Irish affairs or organised by persons associated with those affairs. This was prompted by a series of demonstrations and counter-demonstrations related to prisoners and conditions in prisons in Northern Ireland by various Irish groups. There was a further one month ban in September 1981. The terms of the banning order needed to be carefully drawn up and were, in fact, amended to ensure that other processions like gala days and political protest marches could go ahead.

6.34 Under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, there continue to be very few prohibition orders. Orders are made extremely rarely and indeed most local authorities record that they have never needed to make a prohibition order. Those local authorities which have made prohibition orders have done so for various reasons (broadly based on concerns about public order). Their decisions are the subject of considerable interest which reflects how rarely processions are banned in Scotland. Experience has shown that they are often appealed by the organisers and in a number of cases the appeal has been upheld and the order overturned. I have discussed various Sheriff judgements in more detail in Chapter 5 looking at the legislative context. It might be helpful to briefly reprise them:

In Aberdeen Bon-Accord Loyal Orange Lodge 701 v Aberdeen City Council (September 2001), the Sheriff summed up Aberdeen Council's reasons for prohibiting the procession as a general 'concern that the procession might promote religious intolerance and might interfere with the rights of other citizens to go about their business freely and lawfully' and the court was of the opinion that the council's reasons for its decision were not made out and an outright ban was disproportionate;

In The County Grand Lodge of Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and Argyll v Argyll and Bute Council, the Sheriff was not convinced of Argyll and Bute's reasons for a ban based on a general feeling that the procession may well arouse latent emotional tendencies resulting in disorder and 'a concern that a procession might promote religious intolerance and might interfere with the rights of other citizens to go about their business freely and lawfully is not sufficient to justify a prohibition.'

In Wishart Arch Defenders Loyal Orange Lodge 404 v Angus Council (April 2001), the Sheriff did not consider that the Council's case had foundation in fact and was concerned by the lack of specificity about how the proposed procession would interfere with the rights and freedoms of others and how those rights might suffer as a result of the procession.

Dundee Council also made a prohibition order preventing an Orange Order march but this too was overruled by the Sheriff and permitted following the appeal.

6.35 North Lanarkshire Council has made two banning Orders in January 2003 and 2004 banning a proposed procession by the West of Scotland Band Alliance. The General Purposes (Processions Sub-Committee) made the Orders. This followed information from the police that there was reliable information that there would be a significant threat of serious disorder, violence and damage to property with an attendant threat to public safety. A previous march involving one of the bands had lead to disruption to the town centre and counter demonstrations resulting in a number of arrests. The orders were made on the basis of the need to protect public order and public safety and the risk that the procession posed. The 2004 order also took account of the extent of the disruption to the town centre and the need to protect the right of members of the public to have access to the centre. The Committee concluded that protection of public order and public safety and the right of access could not be achieved by less stringent means.

6.36 One of the most recent, high profile prohibition orders has been Aberdeen Council's decision to make an order banning a National Front march. The Licensing Committee took this decision after advice from the police that the march represented a potential threat to public order and safety. The police had specific information that local soccer thugs, reinforced by football hooligans from other parts of Britain who were sympathetic to the National Front, were threatening to cause disorder on the day of the march. The police also warned that counter-demonstrations opposing the National Front presented a situation where the risk to public safety would increase to an extent which was 'difficult to quantify'. The Council also banned a counter-demonstration being planned by Aberdeen Trades Council on the identical grounds that its march, also planned for 28 November, posed a risk to the safety of Christmas shoppers in the city centre. Following the decision, the organisers decided not to appeal.

Organisers' codes of conduct

6.37 Many march organisers also have codes of conduct which apply to their members taking part in parades. These deal with the behaviour of marchers. They cover uniforms, what can be carried, the music that can be played, and alcohol. They are strictly enforced by the organisers. March organisers which also employ bands ensure that they have contracts with those bands. Examples of current codes of conduct are at Appendix F and of band contracts at Appendix G.

6.38 March organisers are also looking at improving the training of their stewards. The Apprentice Boys of Derry is developing a pilot scheme for parade marshals. They have senior certified marshals who were trained by the Chief Steward at Leeds United Football Club. They hold meetings before their main parades to go over the details and arrangements and make sure that they have a full knowledge of the route of the procession and possible trouble areas. The Loyal Orange Order also provide some training to their stewards. Other organisers also provide some training for their stewards. The STUC for example provide instructions to those stewarding about the nature of their duties and their role accompanied with guidance for those involved in the march. Cairde na hÉireann, an umbrella group representing Irish organisations supporting a united Ireland, hand out leaflets to their stewards.

Advice to organisers

6.39 A number of local authorities have developed very straightforward guidance for those organising processions. This is helpful in bringing together all the various issues which organisers need to address in arranging a successful procession. They cover issues such as the legal requirements, the insurance requirements, requirements for other licenses and permits, how to go about the planning process, how to complete a risk assessment, information about stewarding, accidents and welfare arrangements and first aid requirements. I have had sight of helpful guidance from Edinburgh Council, Fife Council and Scottish Borders Council. While the guidance is aimed at those planning events, there are parts of it which I consider to be applicable to those organising processions. Some authorities have events teams which help those planning events. I return to both these aspects later in Chapter 12 (recommendation 4) and Chapter 15 (27 recommendation).

Complaints about processions

6.40 Local authorities have advised me that they receive very few formal complaints about parades. Those that do receive complaints say that they are generally in single figures and have been about:

Noise - being disturbed early in the morning by flute bands assembling before an early morning parade, the general noise from bands, that the music starts too early in the morning;
Disruption - closure to taxi ranks, general frustration about the disruption to traffic and bus services, road closures, not being able to park due to parking suspensions;
Litter;
Nature of processions - people feel some marches are sectarian in nature, some processions promote bigotry;
Costs - to police and local authority; and
Behaviour of onlookers and some band members - bad language, urinating in public or drunkenness.

6.41 In evidence to me, individuals and organisations have also expressed their concerns about some marches and parades. This is recorded in more detail in Chapter 8 which summarises the views expressed in response to my consultation. While I recognise that a lot of this is anecdotal material, there is a sufficient spread of information to demonstrate that some people are frustrated by the disruption they face to their daily lives and do feel intimidated by certain processions.

After the procession - arrangements for debriefing

6.42 From the evidence, there seems to be very little debriefing that currently takes place after processions. One local authority recorded that it would happen only where an unforeseen difficulty or incident has occurred and so it happens very rarely because there are very few incidents. Another authority holds debriefing meetings after large events and brings together a wide range of interested parties who had been involved in the event (including the local authority, the police, other emergency services, including those providing first aid, as well as the organiser).

6.43 Some police forces do carry out internal debriefing. The officer in charge of the policing of the procession submits a debrief report after the event. The report contains information about the numbers involved in the procession, the number of stewards the organiser provided, the number of people arrested or reported, the number of police involved and any other general comments about the conduct of procession including for example, levels of drunkenness, disorder and the standard of stewarding. The reports are collated to Operation Planning Units and any particular issues are sometimes discussed by officers from the local police area with the organiser. The reports are kept and referred to if the organisation were to submit a future notification.

6.44 I believe that debriefing should form an important part of the processes for handling notifications. This is an issue I return to in Chapter 14 (recommendation 23).

Work by local authorities to develop a policy on marches and parades

6.45 While I was carrying out the national Review, Glasgow City Council was also carrying out work to develop a policy on public processions and demonstrations, appropriate for circumstances in Glasgow. This reflected the concern that had been expressed at the conduct of some processions, and the potential disruption to local residents and to city life more generally, caused by the volume of processions taking place in Glasgow. It is clear from the statistics that more notified processions take place in Glasgow than in any other local authority area. The Council wanted to gauge public opinion on processions through a wide-ranging consultation. I was pleased to see that Glasgow decided to undertake a focused programme of work on an issue that was important to people in Glasgow.

6.46 The Council carried out a specific consultation on a draft policy and guidance on public processions. The draft policy acknowledged that processions were important to participants but emphasised that organising and participating in a procession brings responsibilities in terms of ensuring that the rights of others are not infringed. The draft policy tried to describe, for organisers and the public, some general guidelines on processions setting out the sorts of issues that the council took into account in reaching decisions about notifications. It also provided some general guidelines to organisers and participants about the appropriate conduct of processions.

6.47 I understand that Glasgow are considering the results of the consultation and will consider how best to take forward some of the issues it raised in light of the recommendations of the my national Review. I hope that they will be at the forefront of taking forward some of the recommendations in my report.

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