Mums' choir leader 'baffled' by park fee structure

Hundreds of people have signed a petition urging a city council to consider changes to new park licences affecting a postnatal choir.

The Bring Your Own Baby (BYOB) choir provides singing classes for new mothers in three parks in Bristol.

Julia Turner, founder of the choir, said keeping the classes affordable has become difficult due to Bristol City Council charging her £400 annually to use the parks, and says professional dog walkers pay less than she does.

Council chiefs said licences are needed ensure that parks remain safe and are not intended to provide preferential treatment to one type of business.

The choir is one of dozens of small businesses hit with new charges after Bristol City Council introduced a new licensing scheme last month, requiring them to pay to operate in parks.

"It's a chance to get together and singing is quite bonding," she said.

"Being outside adds so much to the wellbeing benefits of singing because we're around the trees."

Turner said she found it "baffling" that she must pay 50% more than dog walkers to use the park, despite the fact that dog walking businesses use the park more frequently.

"As a mother myself, I feel like we already have to deal with a lot. We don't have the mental health support that we should have. It just baffles and really saddens me," she added.

So far, 85 businesses have applied for a licence. A 50% discount is available to businesses who have a turnover of under £25,000 and use seven or fewer of the city's parks, reported the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Kate Spreadbury, from Bristol Parks Forum, said it can no longer afford to lead walks in Bristol due to the new fees.

"If we want to have an active and inclusive city, we need to support the groups used and valued in our communities.

"This policy is now doing real harm and we ask that you review its use urgently," she added.

Bristol City Council said the licences are needed to make sure groups using parks are suitably qualified and insured, while ensuring parks and green spaces remain safe and pleasant.

Any profits made from the licences will be reinvested into maintaining and improving parks, the authority added.

Councillor Stephen Williams, chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee, said: "There is no specific discount applied to professional dog walkers, who are charged under a different fee structure to the Parks Business Licence.

"This approach reflects how commercial dog walking is commonly managed by other local authorities and does not represent a reduction compared with other activities, nor is it intended to provide preferential treatment to any one type of business."