Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (adopted July 2012), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests , Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also "prejudicial") in relation to any matter on the Agenda for this meeting. A DPI is defined in The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012 No. 1464) and Appendix 3 of the Council’s Code of Conduct.  A personal interest is defined in paragraph 2.8 of the Code and a prejudicial interest is defined in paragraph 2.9. In the interests of complete transparency, Members of the County Council, who are not also members of this committee, are encouraged to declare any interests they may have in any matters being discussed even though they may not be under any obligation to do so under any relevant code of conduct.

There were no declarations of interest made by Members of the Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee noted the procedure to be followed when considering Licensing Applications under the Licensing Act 2003.

The Chairman introduced the members of the Sub-Committee and the Officers present at the hearing.

The Chairman confirmed the Officer’s report relating to the case, the procedure to be adopted during the hearing and the documents which the authority is required to provide under the Regulations had been received by all Parties in advance of the meeting.

The Licensing Specialist confirmed that the applicant had submitted a plan of the site and additional information on how the site would be managed and their reasons for submitting the Temporary Event Notice.  Objection notices from the police and Environmental Protection officer mentioned adding the conditions from the premises license to the Temporary Event Notice which would be appropriate to be added if the license was granted.

All parties confirmed that they had received the relevant documents.

The Specialist – Licensing presented her report. She said the Temporary Event Notice (TEN) related to an event to be held on 29 July 2021 taking place under a premises license.  The purpose was to allow festival ticket holders to arrive early for the main event, have limited entertainment and a bar and food outlet would be open.

The applicant had submitted additional information on timings etc which they would explain to the Hearing.  Part of the area relating to the Temporary Event Notice fell within under the licensed area so it was possible to attach conditions from the existing premises license to the TEN.  The premises license was an ongoing permission so it was appropriate to attach the same conditions to the TEN should Members chose to do so.

The Ten would help with the COVID Management Strategy to spread the public entry across a wider time to include the Thursday evening.  The current premises license was only for a 3 day event but the TEN would extend it to 4 days.  She confirmed that no representations had been withdrawn and therefore the hearing was required in order to determine the application. 

One of the representatives of the Police said they were objecting because the premises license condition stated that each event would last no longer than 3 days and no more than 1 event per calendar year.  He said the Police believed the TEN breached the essence of the 3 day event and the correct procedure should be to submit a premises variation. 

In response to questions from Councillors, the Police representatives said they would like conditions on noise, security and drugs conditions attached to the TEN if granted.  They also noted that limited police staff would be available to be in attendance on the Thursday evening.  They also noted that the event was extended by one day in 2019.

The Environmental Health Specialist said they had looked at the additional noise burden which the TEN would add to the event and if noise ceased at 23.00 hours then the burden was less if it was controlled.  Also if a condition to ban private sound systems was in place then they would not object to the TEN going ahead.

In response to a question, Environmental Health Specialist said they may be asked to attend the event on the Thursday evening if concerns were raised from residents.

The applicant provided background information on the farm and the proposed Farmfest event and introduced the Operations Manager, Production Manager and mentioned other individuals involved in the festival.  He advised that although they had a TEN in place the previous year, not many public had arrived early and the area of the TEN would not be used as a licensable area during the rest of the event.  Arrival on the Thursday evening would spread public entry to the site and reduce queues on the Friday.  He confirmed they were happy to transfer the conditions of the premises license to the TEN. 

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.