THE FATE of Ilfracombe's Funfair was hanging in the balance this week as council chiefs debated its future.

And they were also due to look at standardising the charges made for other community events which take place on council car parks, including Birdman and Rescue Day.

Ilfracombe's Harbour Board has put in a request to North Devon Council, asking that the annual fair in September be moved from the pier to another site in Ilfracombe.

They reasoned that the effects of the new ferry were as yet unknown and combined with the fair, could have dangerous repercussions for the public and operators.

They also pointed out that the fair detracted from local businesses, because it stood on car parking spaces, reducing parking availability.

And the Ilfracombe Seafest is planned in and around the harbour area for the same week that the fair is in town.

Harbour Board chairman and district councillor, Paul Yabsley said: "The fair causes a lot of problems for local businesses, it's only open in the evening, but sits on the car park, closed, throughout the day, depriving businesses of potential custom.

"The district council charges the fair £2,700 for using the pier, but typical revenue is nearer £6,000."

He added: "We did offer the operators two alternative sites, at Hillsborough and the seafront, but both were declined."

Fair operator David Rowland said there was nowhere else in the town the fair could be sited.

"We have been attending Ilfracombe for several years and the fair has become quite established. It is very much a locals' fair."

Mr Rowland said he had driven around the town looking for another site, but said the pier was the only suitable venue.

A report to North Devon Council's executive committee on Tuesday pointed out that if it was moved, with a review in 2011, there was a "real possibility" that the fair would find an alternative town to visit and not return at all.

The report said the executive committee had to make their decision, with "no tangible evidence" that the fair had a negative impact, or that the ferry and Seafest were sufficient reason to prevent the fair from trading at the same time.

The executive were also due to debate the charges made for other events such as Birdman and the Mini Rally in August — and a proposal to standardise the subsidised rate given to charitable events.

A formula was proposed for charges, based on the revenue gained from car parking in the three weeks prior to an event, which is then divided by three, giving a one-week average.

For events run by registered charities, a £500 discount on the charge was suggested. Other events would face the full charge.

Martin Williams, Transportation Manager at North Devon Council, says: "Events that are not held for a whole week will only be charged a proportion of a week's rate, depending on how many days they use the car park for."

On Tuesday the executive decided to defer a decision on the fair and summer events until the next meeting, so the council could consult Ilfracombe Town Council on the matters.