Marches, parades and static demonstrations: guidance

Appendix 2 – Links to example risk assessment

Assessing the likely risks of any assembly, and acting towards addressing and reducing those risks, is a core part of good event planning. Some local authorities ask for a risk assessment by the organiser as a formal part of the notification process. While over and above the information required to be provided by section 62 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, completion of such a form is therefore voluntary, but encouragement to complete a well-designed risk assessment form is good practice in helping a local authority to consider a notification.

Here we give links to where examples of risk assessment forms can be found, so that potential organisers can have some idea of what to expect. Local authorities should note that some organisers, particularly those inexperienced at organising marches/parades, may find these exercises unfamiliar and daunting, and will need appropriate help and support in conducting risk assessment.

As with all local authority decisions relating to marches and parades, each notification will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with any conditions applied, whether considered ‘standard’, ‘special’ or otherwise, being appropriate and proportionate to that specific event.

Falkirk Council - Risk Assessment Form (link provided via the Falkirk Council public processions webpage).

Perth and Kinross Council - Risk Assessment Form (link provided via the Perth and Kinross Council Public Procession webpage).

West Dunbartonshire Council - Risk Assessment Form (link provided via the West Dunbartonshire Council - Parades and Demonstrations webpage).

Appendix 3 – Steps for good pre-and post-event engagement for marches and parades

1. Decision by organiser to hold a public assembly

Organiser(s)

• Consult relevant council web pages for information on the notification process, including forms to complete and contact details for the local authority.
• Consider what your assembly will look like including: proposed date, time, and route; the number of people expected to participate; the arrangements made for stewarding.
• Familiarise yourself with any relevant ‘Codes of Conduct’.
• Consider and assess the foreseeable risks that may be produced and/or faced by the assembly.
• For marches and parades - at least 28 days before proposed date, submit formal notification to the local council.

Local Authority

• Make information about the notification process available online ensuring it is easily located, relevant, up-to-date, and user-friendly.
• Engage informally with organiser(s) if contacted to provide guidance and advice.

Traffic Authority ¹

• Make information about the process for putting in place road traffic regulation measures for public assemblies available online.

Police Scotland

• Engage informally with organiser(s) if contacted to provide guidance and advice.

2. Notification is submitted by organiser to local authority

Organiser(s)

• Continue to engage with local authority/Police Scotland as needed as notification is considered.

Local Authority

• Acknowledge receipt of notification as early as possible.

• Assess any risk, identify issues, and consider any necessary measures or conditions in line with framework and duties to facilitate safe assembly.
• Engage with Police Scotland to inform decision-making process.
• Continue to engage with organiser as needed, with the aim of mutually agreed decision making, and communicating all decisions clearly and in good time, including holding precursory meetings if required.

Traffic Authority ¹

• In discussion with partners, assess the likely effect on public roads to determine if traffic regulation is necessary, and if so, what form that will take.
• In discussion with partners, assess the likely effect on public roads to determine if traffic regulation is necessary, and if so, what form that will take.
• The road traffic regulation measures which are necessary will depend on the exact circumstances of the march/parade.

Police Scotland

• Engage with local authority providing information to inform local authority’s decision making
• Assess the policing needed to facilitate the assembly including any practical considerations and potential traffic management measures.

3. Decisions communicated to organisers

Organiser(s)

• Engage with local council and Police Scotland, taking on-board any feedback on plans for the assembly, including any changes and conditions placed on the event.

Local Authority

• Communicate any conditions clearly to organisers, explaining why decisions reached.

Traffic Authority ¹

• Work with partners and event organisers to put in place any traffic regulation measures required.

Police Scotland

• Continue to engage with local authority and organisers.

4. Assembly takes place

5. Post-event assessment takes place

Organiser(s)

• Engage with local authority and Police Scotland in post-event assessment and de-briefing to inform future planning.

Local Authority

• Engage with organisers and Police Scotland to assess and provide constructive (written) feedback on the event.

• Consider if a debrief meeting should take place.

Traffic Authority ¹

• Engage with the post-event assessment if appropriate.

Police Scotland

• Engage with organisers and local authorities to provide constructive event feedback.

¹ Local authority for the local road network; Transport Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers for the trunk road network.

The Sub-Group

This Scottish Government guidance was created following consultation with the Sub-Group on Scottish Government Guidance for Marches and Parades.

The Sub-Group was established in October 2020 with the following remit:

To propose revisions, amendments and any other changes required to the Scottish Government guidance on marches and parades to ensure that it is accurate, up-to-date, and fit for purpose. This will be done with a view to putting the revised guidance to Scottish Ministers for approval and publication.

The members of the sub-group were:

• Mike Callaghan (COSLA)
• Andrew Fraser (Society of Local Authority Lawyers and Administrators in Scotland – SOLAR)
• Elaine Galletly (Society of Local Authority Lawyers and Administrators in Scotland – SOLAR)
• Mary Hockenhull (Secretariat) (Scottish Government)
• James Jones (Police Scotland)
• Gordon Mackay (Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland - SCOTS)
• James Rodden (Glasgow City Council)
• Michael Rosie (Convenor) (University of Edinburgh)
• Cliff Sime (Secretariat) (Scottish Government)