Activity
Caravan Site Licensing
The ACP is one of only two showman’s bodies which holds exemption under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 for its members.
Work Permits for Overseas Performers
The ACP has been actively involved with the formulation of the TIER 5 creative and sporting visa provision for performers coming to the UK and today has direct communication with its own premium service account manager at UKVI, the department responsible for processing visa applications from all over the World.
Foreign Entertainers Withholding Tax
The ACP has negotiated directly with the Foreign Entertainers Unit of the HMRC allowances against the liability to tax under the Finance Act 1986, which are specific to circus artists and continues that dialogue.
Showman’s Transport
The ACP closely monitors the application of the Road Traffic and Vehicle Licensing legislation and has on-going discussions with VOSA regarding the exemptions available to genuine circus proprietors.
London Emissions Zone (LEZ)
The ACP was successful in achieving agreement with Transport for London on the specifications for circus vehicles which are exempt from the LEZ charge, it continues to monitor the situation.
Entertainment Licensing
With the support of Peter Luff MP the ACP has campaigned forcefully against the provisions against the inclusion of circus in the Licensing Act 2003, leading eventually in 2015 to the abolition of Circus under the licensing regulations entirely up to 28 days at any one venue.
Education of Traveller Children
The ACP actively supports all initiatives to enhance the education opportunities for circus and fairground children through either school placement or distance learning programmes and has met with representatives of the Department of Education to express its concern.
Fly Posting
The ACP advises its members on the provision in The Control of Advertisement Regulations for the display of circus posters and on the Government Guidance issued to Local Planning Authorities on the procedure for dealing with any unauthorised poster displays
Town and Country Planning
When on tour a circus will usually have the benefit of Permitted Use under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order when using a circus site. Circus permanent quarters require planning consent and the association was consulted by The Department for Communities and Local Government, which led to the issue of Planning Circular, “Planning for Travelling Showpeople” 2004/2007.
Health & Safety
The ACP monitors developments in HSE Regulation and has contact with HSE to discuss their application to the circus industry.
Animal Welfare
There are no members of the ACP currently using non domestic animals in their shows. The ACP policy is that it is for individual members to decide whether they wish to use animals, provided that the best standards of animal welfare and husbandry supported by strict veterinary inspections can be illustrated. The ACP welcomes the Government’s recently introduced circus animal inspection scheme but considers that the requirements may not be sufficiently strict or, in parts, are illogical and has made representations to that effect. The ACP has acknowledged that there are certain species of wild or exotic animals which are inappropriate for use in a travelling circus.
