Why won’t Cardiff Council reveal Blackweir Live profits?

Local TV

After multiple Freedom of Information requests, Cardiff Council have refused to reveal how much money the controversial Blackweir Live concert series brought in. We take a look at what opposition have said, and whether it will be back next year.

Transcript

00:00Concerns have been raised about Cardiff Council's decision to not reveal how much money it made

00:06from this summer's controversial Black Weir Live concert series in Butte Park.

00:10The gigs featuring artists like Stevie Wonder and Alanis Morissette

00:13were billed as a major boost for the city,

00:15with the council promising they would generate tens of million pounds for Cardiff's economy

00:19and money for protecting green spaces.

00:22But when two separate Freedom of Information requests were submitted

00:25by the local Democracy Reporting Service asking how much the council actually made,

00:29the authority refused to disclose the figure, saying it was commercially sensitive.

00:33That response only came after the legal statutory deadline had already passed.

00:38The gigs, which brought tens of thousands of people into Cardiff,

00:40have been marred by controversy,

00:42with access to Black Weir Fields massively limited for over a month,

00:46meaning residents and local sports teams were unable to use the site.

00:50Possible damage was also a concern,

00:51but the council confirmed organisers paid for all damages.

00:55Opposition councillors have also questioned the lack of transparency.

00:58Liberal Democrat leader Rodney Berman said the public should be given the full facts

01:02if future concerts are being considered,

01:05and the Conservatives have repeatedly pressed the council

01:07to explain how Black Weir Fields was chosen in the first place.

01:12For its part, Cardiff Council insists the money raised

01:14is being invested into parks and grassroots music venues.

01:18Leader Hugh Thomas has previously said the income helps avoid cuts elsewhere,

01:22while Culture Cabinet member Jennifer Burke told councillors

01:25the funds will go back into community facilities.

01:28Organisers Cuff and Taylor and Depot Live called this year's series a huge success

01:32and say they want it to become a regular fixture.

01:35The council will now carry out a review before deciding

01:37whether the controversial gigs will return next year.

01:41James Peach Watkins, reporting for Local TV.

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