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.

Cllr. Paul Rowsell declared that his relative was present at the hearing.  He indicated that his presence would have no bearing on his contribution to the decision.

It was agreed to adjourn the hearing for 15 minutes at the request of the Area Licensing Practitioner from Avon and Somerset Police Constabulary to allow for further discussion with the Applicant on the proposed conditions in order for the hearing to proceed.

The Sub-Committee reconvened and 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 that 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The Specialist – Licensing advised that the representation received from Stocklinch Parish Council had been withdrawn.  The representation received on behalf of South Somerset District Council relating to health and safety had also been withdrawn subject to agreed conditions.

Members noted that representatives from Avon and Somerset Police Constabulary and Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service had been in consultation with the Applicant but their representations had not been withdrawn.

The Specialist – Licensing presented the report.  She informed members that an application had been received from Shindig Productions Ltd. for a time limited premises licence to be granted under the Licensing Act 2003 at Dillington Park, Ilminster from 21 to 25 May 2020.  She noted the licensable activities and timings listed in the report and confirmed that the required notices had been displayed and advertised in a local newspaper for the requisite period.  The Specialist – Licensing advised that she had received 15 emails in support of the application and made reference to some of the comments made.   She outlined the options available to the Sub-Committee, which were:-

• Grant the licence subject to such conditions which are consistent with the operating schedule modified to such extent as the Authority considers appropriate for the promotion of the Licensing Objectives and any condition, which must under s19-21, be included in the licence s18(4)(a)(i)(ii) together with the current mandatory conditions.

• Exclude from the scope of the licence any of the licensable activities to which the application relates s18(4)(b)

• Refuse to specify a person in the licence as the premises supervisor s18(4)(c)

• Reject the application s18(4)(d).

The Specialist – Licensing reiterated that the representation received from South Somerset District Council relating to health and safety had been withdrawn.  A number of conditions had been agreed with the applicant which were read aloud to the Sub-Committee. She concluded with the right of appeal open to the Applicants.  

The Area Licensing Practitioner from Avon and Somerset Police informed members that the Police had submitted an objection on 7^th February in respect of the application and requested that the Sub-Committee consider refusing the licence due to the paperwork not being satisfactory.  She explained that since that time various meetings had been held with the applicant and the event organiser had agreed to 62 conditions, most of which related to crime and disorder and the protection of children from harm.  There were a few outstanding issues with the final wording of the conditions but they were almost agreed.  One of the issues related to the Event Management Plan being submitted to the Ambulance Service however there was some disagreement from the Applicant on this matter who stated that the Ambulance Service was not classed as a Responsible Authority by the legislation.  She noted that the large number of conditions were being imposed to ensure that the event was safe, well managed and the appropriate paperwork put into place and if implemented correctly would make the event as safe as possible.  She advised that a number of the conditions related to various documents and policies being agreed to the satisfaction of Avon & Somerset Police Constabulary no less than 8 weeks prior to the event taking place.

The Sub-Committee was addressed by the Business Safety Officer from Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service.  He advised that Devon Somerset Fire & Rescue Service made representations on four points initially and that these had now been agreed with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.