A campaign for a public vote on the future of Appleby’s annual horse fair has suffered a setback.
Eden District Council has rejected four questions from the community and refused a request to hold a parish poll.
A resident called the decision “disgraceful” and said it smacked of the authorities “burying their heads in the sand”.
The questions were tabled by Appleby Town Council following a meeting attended by more than 100 people who have concerns about the June fair. The questions related to health and safety; the cost to taxpayers; the organisation of the event and whether use of the Market Fields site should continue.
Last month, Eden advised campaigners that three draft questions would be refused.
Paul Sutton, Eden District Council’s returning officer, cited existing legislation, case law and the potential £1,500 cost of a parish poll.
He added that the questions were “wholly outside” the remit of Appleby Town Council and case law allowed returning officers to refuse if they were “devoid of practical application”.
Appleby Town Council has accepted the decision but Appleby Fair Communities Group has appealed and may raise the matter with the Information Commissioner, which promotes openness in public bodies, or seek a judicial review.
The group has said a parish poll is not about “banning the event” or going “against any particular group”.
“It’s about establishing the thoughts of the community to which Appleby Town Council represents,” said a spokesman.
In a 2015 book written by town councillor Andy Connell, titled Appleby Gypsy Horse Fair: Mythology Origins, Evolution and Evaluation, it was noted that there have been “periodic campaigns” against the fair, although a “lack of a mechanism to effect its closure”.
As far back as 1945, some farmers called for it to be “done away with”.
One issue has been whether Barrow or Kendal-based taxpayers under the new Westmorland and Furness Council will be happy about the public costs of the horse fair.
A spokesman for the new council leadership said: “When the unitary council begins sitting we will be carrying out our statutory duties in relation to any large event which includes those such as Appleby fair.
“We will have a statutory duty to deliver on highways and to keep traffic flowing in a safe manner, a duty which extends to all events whether that be a classic car rally or Kendal Calling.”
