An investigation into the last-minute cancellation of Calneval 2026 has found that the Council failed to fully consult councillors before making the decision, although it concludes that cancelling the event was justified on public safety grounds.
Calne Town Council has published its investigation into the cancellation of the Calneval of Colour and Summer Festival on 26th June, less than 24 hours before it was due to take place.
The 14-page report identified shortcomings in the Council's decision-making, communication and contingency planning, alongside problems securing enough qualified security staff for the event.
The investigation found that the Council's Scheme of Delegation, which requires consultation with relevant councillors when urgent decisions are made, was not fully followed.
Although the Acting Proper Officer discussed the situation with the Town Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and relevant committee chairs were not consulted. The report also says the Deputy Mayor only became aware of the possibility of cancellation after the decision had been made.
The Council had been seeking confirmation of security staffing levels for several weeks, but concerns became more serious in the days immediately before the festival. The security provider told the investigation that staff began withdrawing on 25th June because of the extreme heat being forecast for the day. It also acknowledged that the Council could have been informed about the staffing difficulties earlier.
Nine SIA-accredited security staff were ultimately available. The provider had initially told the Council that 11 personnel had been secured, but later confirmed that the actual number was nine.
The report also found that the Council had relied heavily on one security provider and could have explored alternative arrangements sooner.
The investigation found that the Council's public explanation following the cancellation focused mainly on a shortage of volunteer marshals, without explaining the wider problems surrounding qualified security staff and other operational risks.
It said there was no evidence that the event had been cancelled solely because of a shortage of volunteer marshals.
The report found no evidence of misconduct or deliberate wrongdoing by Council officers, concluding that the decision was made in good faith and with public safety as the main consideration.
Going forward, the recommendations are earlier checks on event readiness, written confirmation of contractor staffing, arrangements with multiple security providers and better communication with councillors, volunteers, traders and community groups if problems arise.
The report also recommend investigating event cancellation insurance. It acknowledges the considerable time and money invested by community groups, schools, charities, volunteers and local businesses in preparing for Calneval.
Following the cancellation, the Council distributed the planned prize money among entrants and offered funded pitches at the Calne Food Festival and Love Calne Market to affected stallholders.
The investigation concludes that cancelling Calneval was a reasonable decision in difficult circumstances, but says there are clear lessons for the Council over planning, communication and governance.
The full report is available on the Calne Town Council website.
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