Politics & Council · Wiltshire-wide
Wiltshire Council urged to review event poster rules amid ongoing circus dispute
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Local councillors are pushing for a fresh review of how Wiltshire Council regulates advertising for community events following continued complaints over enforcement.
Wiltshire Council is facing renewed pressure to overhaul its approach to temporary event signage, with local representatives calling for a clear, consistent policy to support circuses, fairs and community groups. The move comes just a year after the authority pledged a lighter touch regarding how events advertise along public roads.
Conservative councillors Allison Bucknell and Jane Davies have tabled a motion set for the full council meeting on 20 October. They argue that despite previous efforts to introduce a 'Trusted Billposter' scheme and updated highway guidance, event organisers are still struggling to navigate the council's requirements. The councillors contend that the current enforcement process remains inconsistent and difficult to interpret.
The push for change follows a recent incident in September involving Circus Ginnet, whose owner, Patrick Austin, reported that approximately 200 of his posters were removed in Chippenham. The removal, carried out by the town council, resulted in significant costs for the circus in lost materials and publicity. Wiltshire Council maintained that the posters were placed in prohibited locations, such as traffic signals and bollards, which fall outside of permitted advertising guidelines.
Last year, the issue gained prominence when George Scarrott and Son’s Family Fun Fair, which has a long-standing tradition in Royal Wootton Bassett, faced the prospect of legal action and fines for its promotional posters. That case prompted the initial calls for a reform to ensure that community and touring events were not unfairly penalised for advertising their services.
The proposed review by Cllrs Bucknell and Davies asks the Cabinet Member for Highways, Martin Smith, to examine whether the existing system is transparent and proportionate. The motion specifically requests an investigation into whether the guidance can be simplified and made more accessible to event organisers.
Crucially, the councillors emphasised that any changes to the policy must continue to prioritise road safety. However, they argue that local charities, volunteers and travelling operators should not face unnecessary barriers when promoting legitimate community gatherings. If the motion is approved on 20 October, the resulting findings and recommendations are expected to be referred to the relevant scrutiny committee for further oversight.
Source: Wiltshire Times · View original