City park gigs help council avoid difficult budget calls, says leader

LLOWING more live music events to take place at Bute Park helped Cardiff council avoid difficult budget decisions, the leader of the city council has said.

- TED PESKETT Local Democracy Reporter [e-mail]

Blackweir Live, which will see a number of world-famous artists, including Stevie Wonder and Alanis Morissette, play at Blackweir Fields, will be taking place over selected days in June and July.

Key decision-makers at Cardiff council, including leader Cllr Huw Thomas, argued that funds from the events would help protect grassroots music venues and the city’s parks.

However, there are others who worry it is another example of councils in deficit having to make quick money-making decisions at the expense of public spaces.

Residents, volunteers and sports teams were angered about plans for events on Blackweir Fields, fearing it will wreck the land and make more parts of Bute Park inaccessible during the summer.

Cllr Thomas said: “There is a financial upside to the council of hosting live music events in Blackweir.

“That makes an important contribution to allowing us to set that balanced budget.

“One of the ways that we've avoided making really difficult facility closures in recent years is by generating income, and that’s where Blackweir Live comes in from a financial perspective.”

Cardiff council was initially facing the prospect of having to save more than £60m in 2025/26.

After a better-than-expected budget settlement from the Welsh Government, this figure was reduced to £27.7m.