Busker 'code of conduct' proposed for Perth city centre after residents 'driven nuts'

A proposal is being made for Perth and Kinross Council to draw up a code of conduct for buskers in Perth city centre.

It follows complaints that residents and businesses are “being driven nuts” by amplified music and reports of anti-social behaviour and disputes between buskers.

This week, Perth and Kinross councillors will be asked to agree to a code of conduct being drafted, then consult members of the public on it.

On Wednesday, Perth City Centre ward councillors Peter Barrett and Chris Ahern will table a motion instructing council officials to prepare a busking code of conduct for Perth City Centre.

Other Scottish cities have introduced rules for buskers. Dundee City Council has a Responsible Busking Code of Conduct, which lists four zones where buskers can perform and requests that amplifiers are only used with the council’s permission.

Glasgow City Council has its Busker’s Code of Conduct, while buskers in the capital are asked to abide by a list of rules set out by Edinburgh City Council on its website.

Edinburgh City Council also warns buskers that – Under section 54 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 – Police Scotland can ask buskers to stop performing if their performance is causing a disturbance.

Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Barrett – who chairs the Perth Business Safety Partnership – said concerns had been raised repeatedly by local businesses.

Cllr Barrett said: “Busking can help animate and enliven the city centre, but it can also have unwanted impacts too, especially where instruments are amplified, or there is loud background music to accompany playing. I have received many complaints from local residents and businesses about the volume of amplified music, the length of time that buskers perform for and issues arising from buskers fighting over pitches.

“Other cities in Scotland have introduced codes of conduct to tackle issues of noise and anti-social behaviour which have arisen around buskers. I want Perth and Kinross Council to consider what lessons we can learn from existing codes and what good practice we can introduce in Perth.

He added: “It is fair to say that people are being driven nuts at times by long periods of loud music.”

Conservative councillor Chris Ahern has also received complaints about the conduct of some buskers on Perth’s High Street.

Bailie Ahern said: “The music is sometimes too loud, inconsiderate timings, and there have also been disputes between buskers as to who plays where and for how long and the antisocial behaviour surrounding it.

“Probably the biggest complaint is the level of music. Gone are the days when you just turn up with a musical instrument and play away; now they are accompanied by loudspeakers, and sometimes backing music and turn the volumes up as loud as possible.

“This code of conduct is by no means wanting to stop buskers as they are a long-standing culture in our High Streets and some of our country’s best performers started as buskers.”

Bailie Ahern added: “Currently they can only be asked to reduce music, move somewhere else (to give businesses and residents a break) and it is up to them if they want to do it. This Code of Conduct will go out to consultation which means businesses and the public will have their say. From the consultation, it can then be decided when, how long, the volume, etc., can be set and where the pitches will be.”

Councillors will vote on whether or not to proceed with the proposal at a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council on Wednesday, January 14.