CHARGING an entry fee for this year’s Basingstoke Live will go ahead despite worries it will exclude people from attending.

A group of Basingstoke and Deane councillors called for a review of the decision to introduce a entrance fee for the two-day event from this year and had their arguments heard at a borough council meeting held on Monday.

At the meeting Winklebury ward councillor Angie Freeman presented her case about why the decision should be reconsidered, saying people living on a low wage would feel excluded by having an entry free.

Cllr Freeman said: “It (Basingstoke Live) was set up to be inclusive for the whole of Basingstoke.

“Everyone can come and enjoy the music of the event, and there are studies which show how arts and music events can change the lives of people.

“Introducing this charge is excluding families with a low income which is not conducive of what we can do for our residents.”

During the 100-minute-long meeting, councillors debated about what the best course of action would be to support families on a low income to access concession tickets.

Popley East ward representative Cllr David Potter added: “For those people who claim benefits going up to the gate to purchase a ticket and having to prove they are eligible for this concession it is humiliating.

“It is these just about managing families that we need to think about as Basingstoke Live is a big day out for them.”

Addressing the meeting, deputy leader of the council Terri Reid said each year the money put aside for Basingstoke Live covers less and less, and that if the event were to remain free, it would become unsustainable.

Cllr Reid said: “We are concerned ourselves that Basingstoke Live stays and it is a sustainable event.

“Because the costs go up year-on-year, that money doesn’t go as far, and Basingstoke Live is at the end of the Basingstoke Festival which has a host of free events throughout the week.”

Leader of the Basingstoke Liberal Democrats Cllr Gavin James added: “I was concerned that it was decision was bumped along, but the clock is ticking, and the event is coming up “What is the risk if there is a delay, because we want to see Basingstoke Live happening this year.”

The committee opted to take no action on the call-in, but the council’s community, environment and partnerships committee will assess the impact of the charge following the event.