Public processions are dealt with by Falkirk Council under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, and any guidance issued by Scottish Ministers from time to time.
Falkirk Council recognises the fundamental rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to freedom of assembly and of association. The Council, in administering notifications for public processions in Falkirk, takes these rights into consideration along with the provision within Article 11 of the Convention which requires that these rights are exercised in accordance with the "protection of the rights and freedoms of others."
The Council's aim is to strike a reasonable balance between protecting the fundamental right of individuals and organisations to organise and participate in public processions, and the need to minimise disruption to the wider community by protecting the rights of all of Falkirks' citizens to go about their business without unnecessary disturbance and interference.
In addition, the Council will also keep an opt-in list to make sure that anyone who asks for details of processions to be held in their area can receive the appropriate information to allow them to plan better and work around any problems which could be caused by the procession. Any interested individuals, organisations and groups wishing to be included in the opt-in list should contact the address below.
How to submit a notification
If you intend to hold a public procession, march, parade or similar type event then you are required by law to notify the local authority and Central Scotland Police at least 28 days before the event. This ensures that communities are aware of forthcoming events planned in their area.
Similar events may include:
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races, fun runs and sponsored walks
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gala day parades
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demonstrations and protests
The Licensing Section will publish details of all notifications relating to public processions, marches, parades and "similar type events" on the Falkirk Council web site. Details of notifications of intentions to hold public processions submitted after 01 April 2007 can be viewed below.
Once we have received your notification form we will tell you if you a precursory meeting is necessary and if there are any arrangements that may need to be put in place to ensure the safe passage of the event.
Once the arrangements have been agreed, the Chief Governance Officer will write to you to confirm the event can go ahead and list any conditions such as the preferred route and timings.
Most public processions, marches and parades held in the Falkirk area are traditional, annual events which usually pass without incident. If, however, you wish to comment on an event which is planned in your area, you can do so in writing to the address shown on this page at least two weeks before the event is due to take place.
Notifications will not be accepted without an associated Risk Assessment form being submitted. Both forms should be lodged with the Licensing Section at the address shown in the contact section.
The following forms can be downloaded:
The following information can be downloaded:
How to make representations
Anyone wishing to make representations with regard to any proposed public procession is invited to do so in writing to The Licensing Team at least two weeks before the event is due to take place.
Generally, the considerations to which the local authority shall have regard when deciding whether to prohibit the holding of a procession or impose conditions on it under the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 and Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 as amended shall include:
The likely effect of the holding of the procession in relation to:
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public safety;
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public order;
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damage to property;
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disruption of the life of the community;
The extent to which the containment of risks arising from the procession would (whether by itself or in combination with any other circumstances) place an excessive burden on the police;
Where the person proposing to hold the procession has previously held one in the area of the authority or the persons likely to take part in the procession , or some of them, are the same persons as took part in one previously held in that area, or some of them -
Whether the previous procession was held in breach of a prohibition under this section on its being held or of a condition so imposed on the holding of it;
Whether any guidance or code of conduct issued by the authority as to the holding of the previous procession or as to the holding of processions generally was followed
The effect of the previous procession in relation to the matters mentioned above.
If you have any further enquiries please contact the Licensing Section.
Processions pending
Processions approved
View all approved processions...|
Processions refused
There are no processions currently proposed with this status.
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Processions withdrawn