Examining the power role of Local Authorities in planning for socio-economic event impacts

Abstract

The socio-economic impacts of events, while mostly positive can often bring many detrimental implications to destinations and communities that host them. The statutory role of Local Authorities in Ireland to authorise and license large scale outdoor public events places Local Authorities in an ideal position to monitor and better manage the socio-economic impacts events can create at local level. This comparative examination draws attention to the current level of planning for the socio-economic impacts of events by Local Authorities at a nationwide level in Ireland. A multi-methodological approach was employed through a quantitative content analysis of Local Authority event management plans and guidelines and qualitative semi-structured interviews with Local Authorities in the Republic of Ireland. The findings drew attention to an overall dearth of socio-economic planning for events by Local Authorities. This lack of planning subsequently highlights a fundamental need for Local Authorities in Ireland to pay greater attention to generating greater levels of socio-economic sustainability in the legal process of planning for event management given their statutory role. This study presents an opportunity for improvement by Local Authorities and Event practitioners not only in Ireland but at International levels.

Experiencing Event Management During the Coronavirus Pandemic: A Public Sector Perspective

“…Although convenient, as a moniker "events officers" masks a range of institutional arrangements and professional roles among those participating in the research, an observation consistent with previous research (Thomas and Wood, 2004;Wood, 2005). This is not unique to the UK (Maguire, 2019(Maguire, , 2021 and, as the interviews for this study confirmed (see below), not all participants were exclusively or directly employed by local authorities. Some were employed outside the council apparatus, for instance in community interest companies or private limited companies established by local authorities to manage and service events (and frequently other) functions, with the municipality usually as the principal stakeholder and investor.…”

“…In fact, local authorities have long been identified as major stakeholders in organising and operating events (Thomas and Wood, 2004 ; Wood, 2005 ; Maguire, 2019 , 2021 ), and they play pivotal roles in co-ordinating responses to crises and catastrophes in visitor economies (Ritchie, 2009 ). For municipalities, participation in event planning, management or regulation can deliver a range of outcomes, not least economic benefits (Wood, 2005 ; Maguire, 2019 ). They may also be conceptualised as delivering a public good and justified on the basis of non-market benefits, including enriching local social and cultural life.…”

“…As regulators and administrators of legislation, municipal authorities can act as the arbiters of where, when and how events take place in their sovereign territory (Maguire, 2019 ). In addition to acting variously as organisers, promoters and/or managers of events, public bodies may also own, operate and/or govern the spaces in which they take place and act as mediators among diverse stakeholders and their interests (Thomas and Wood, 2004 ; Wood, 2005 ; Devine and Devine, 2012 , 2015 ; Maguire, 2019 , 2021 ).…”

“…As regulators and administrators of legislation, municipal authorities can act as the arbiters of where, when and how events take place in their sovereign territory (Maguire, 2019 ). In addition to acting variously as organisers, promoters and/or managers of events, public bodies may also own, operate and/or govern the spaces in which they take place and act as mediators among diverse stakeholders and their interests (Thomas and Wood, 2004 ; Wood, 2005 ; Devine and Devine, 2012 , 2015 ; Maguire, 2019 , 2021 ). Events are clearly important to the local economy and quality of life for citizens but these have to be balanced with the public health functions that local authorities, in the UK as in many countries, are statutorily obliged to enact, monitor and enforce [House of Lords (HOL), 2019 ].…”

Urban and Rural Event Tourism and Sustainability: Exploring Economic, Social and Environmental Impacts

“…Much scholarship, when addressing sustainability, considers environmental impacts and management [17,18]. Economic sustainability is ever-pressing, especially as competition to attract tourists, consumers and new clientele bases is increasing and thus destinations need to host events or display tourism products that are up-to-date and meet current demands [19,20]. However, there is increased emphasis on social and community impacts, perhaps as these are intangible impacts that relate to local attitudes about places as well as quality of life for residents and businesses in destinations [21][22][23][24][25], especially as places continually change and transform-which then calls for new forms of participation [26,27] and ways of evaluating social impacts [28].…”