Notting Hill Carnival Strategic Review - Intelligent Space

The Review Process
Background
1.1 In London, the Notting Hill Carnival dominates the month of August each year. From humble
origins, the Carnival has grown into a spectacular multicultural celebration and a powerful
expression of community, art, music and performance on the streets of Notting Hill. However, in
August 2000, the tragic murders of two young men served to highlight the critical issues of
public safety and accountability for an event that attracts almost one million people each year.
This report represents the culmination of a three year in-depth inquiry into the management,
operation and funding of the Carnival. It is designed to provide a long-term strategic analysis
and plan for the future sustainability and development of an event that has grown to become
London’s most extravagant celebration of Caribbean culture.
1.2 In September 2000, Mayor Ken Livingstone initiated the first major examination of the Notting
Hill Carnival by establishing the Carnival Review Group (‘the Review Group’), a twelve-member
panel, drawn from the diverse fields of politics, culture, community, policing, policy
development, education, the carnival arts, equalities, law, event management and race relations.
Chaired by Lee Jasper, the Mayor’s cabinet advisor on race relations and policy director on
equalities and policing, the Review Group was tasked with conducting an independent and wideranging
inquiry into how the Notting Hill Carnival is organised, managed and funded. The
impetus for this inquiry stemmed not only from the murders of Mr. Abdul Bhatti and Mr. Greg
Watson, but also from increasing concerns about overcrowding and a reported rise in the levels
of crime committed at the event.
1.3 In announcing his review, Mayor Livingstone commented: “The Notting Hill Carnival has become
London’s largest cultural festival and a showpiece for the vitality and diversity of London’s many
communities. I have today been discussing with the Metropolitan Police what can be done to
prevent a tiny handful of hardened criminals from disrupting an event, which is enjoyed, by
millions of Londoners. I also want to see all of the issues of public safety raised by the Carnival’s
immense popularity properly addressed. To these ends, I have decided to conduct a wideranging
review of the development of the Carnival as London’s largest cultural festival, including
how we ensure that all issues of public safety are fully addressed.” 14
1.4 The Review Group interpreted its terms of reference 15 to include:
1.4.1 an examination of the management, organisation, operation and resourcing of the
Notting Hill Carnival;
1.4.2 an assessment of the impact and implications of Carnival’s growth on public safety, levels
of crime and the local environment;
14
“Mayor pledges review of Notting Hill Carnival”, Greater London Authority Press Statement, 4 September 2000
15
The full text of the terms of reference for the Carnival Review Group are set out in Appendix 2
32