Decision details

The Director of Public Health Noted -

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 came into force on 18th July 2020 (referred to as the Regulations).


The Regulations give the power to ‘the local authority’ to issue a Direction Notification, the designated officers are:-

The Director of Public Health (and sub-delegated to the Deputy Director of Public Health, Leeds City Council in any absence).

Whose delegated powers include those to prevent the spread of a highly infectious disease being COVID-19 in order to protect the Leeds population by using powers under:


Officer Delegation Scheme (Executive Functions), 2) Health Protection Functions, c) providing the lead in public health incidents, and d) Communicable and infectious disease control; and
Director’s Sub-Delegation Scheme, Specific Delegations 2d; and 9c of the Miscellaneous Functions from the Director of Adults and Health sub-delegation scheme – responding to emergencies that present a risk to public health.

What decision has been taken?

Authorisation is given to issue a Direction that the event of a fun fair on land at Compton Road, Harehills in Leeds, be prohibited in order to protect the Leeds population and the populations of surrounding Local Authorities from the significant Public health risk of COVID-19 and the spread of this highly infectious disease.

A brief statement of the reasons for the decision -


The Authority considers that the following conditions required under the Regulations are met -



1: This direction responds to a serious and imminent threat to public health;

The Leeds 7 day infection rate has shown an upwards trend over the last week with case numbers tripling during this time period and infection rates increasing. These new cases are clustered in areas that are in close proximity to the proposed funfair.


Furthermore this is an area of Leeds which due to being an area of higher deprivation, higher BAME population; has a population with higher rates of smoking and obesity, and other underlying health conditions all of which are linked to poorer outcomes from COVID-19.

An event of this nature is likely to lead to more people congregating within a small area, including on the way to and from the event. This will increase the likelihood of people from different households coming into closer proximity with each other, increasing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and worsening the local situation.



2: This direction is necessary for the purpose of preventing, protecting against, controlling or providing a public health response to the incidence or spread of infection by coronavirus in the Authority’s area;

The data demonstrates clear evidence of ongoing and heightened transmission of COVID-19 in the immediate locality. Allowing an event such as this to take place that would lead to numbers of people congregating together represents a threat to ongoing measures to contain the virus and limit its transmission.


Recent trends are showing a rise in cases in younger people and young adults, in particular women, who may be the audience for the fair, or bringing their children. The latest evidence suggests that between 10-35% of people have no, or few symptoms and could therefore transmit the infection unknowingly.



3: The prohibitions, requirements or restrictions imposed by this direction are a proportionate means of achieving that purpose;


Whilst thorough and in compliance with current guidance, the risk assessment provided by the event holder is unable to address the concerns relating to the congregation and travel of groups to this event. Holding the fun fair poses an additional, unnecessary risk to the local spread of infection in a context of rising infection rates and the prevention of the event is the only and proportionate response to the current situation.

The rates in Leeds and in this area have only risen significantly over the last week and therefore this decision could not have been made earlier.