A draft code of conduct for Oxford's city centre buskers has been viewed as too heavy-handed.

Suggestions in the new regulations for Oxford city centre include the introduction of recommended pitches, issuing buskers with a permit and making performers audition before a special panel.

The proposed regulations advise that a variety of pieces of music should be played, avoiding repetition of the same tune and that miming to pre-recorded music is not to be permitted.

It was suggested that the new conduct would operate between 10am and 6.30pm.

The ideas were intended as a framework in which buskers could operate, without becoming a nuisance for residents, visitors and workers.

But members of Oxford City Council's health and environment committee were not impressed by some of the ideas. Cllr Alex Hollingsworth said: "Busking is enjoyable but the idea of permits and auditions is completely insane."

After the meetingLater he added: "I don't think you can set up a committee to judge something like music. It would be completely random and bizarre."

Cllr Xanthe Bevis argued that the report appeared to be driven by a desire to get rid of 'tin whistle beggars'.

Kim Pohlgreen, a co-opted member, questioned the need to confine busking to daylight hours. She said: "I think we ought to be encouraging cafe culture and busking into the evening."

Chairman of the committee Rhonda Riachi said said: "We don't want to be heavy handed . We don't want our officers tied up with auditioning."

The committee asked for the guidelines to be toned down.

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