Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notices of substitution (if any).

Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs F J Colthorpe who was substituted by Cllr Mrs G Doe.

To elect a Chairman for the Sub Committee.

RESOLVED that Cllr D R Coren be elected as Chairman of the Sub Committee for the meeting.

Cllr Coren then took the Chair.

To receive a report from the Licensing Officer regarding determination of a temporary event notice for a ‘private event with camping’ near Washfield Weir, Bolham, Tiverton.

Consideration was given to a report * from the Licensing Officer regarding determination of a temporary events notice for a ‘private event with camping’ near Washfield Weir, Bolham, Tiverton.

The Licensing Officer explained that this hearing was to consider objections to a standard TEN (Temporary Event Notice). The TEN was submitted electronically by Mr Josh Sasanow (the ‘premises user’) on 20 July 2016. The TEN submitted did not include details of the number of people attending and as a result it was not accepted on the initial date of submission.

The premises user confirmed on 24 July 2016 that there would be no more than 499 people on site at any one time. As a result of this confirmation, the TEN was considered submitted correctly on 24 July 2016.

The event was described as a ‘private event with camping’. It was to be held at fields near Washfield Weir, Bolham, Tiverton.

As the TEN was submitted electronically it was automatically forwarded to the Police and Environmental Health by the Licensing Authority. The Police and Environmental Health both submitted objection notices within the prescribed period.

The Licensing Officer had attempted to make contact with the applicant by telephone and email but had received no response since the original email confirming the number of people on site. The applicant was not in attendance.

Lesley Carlo (Police Licensing Officer) and Mike Warriner (Police Sergeant) were present to represent the Police.  The Police Licensing Officer referred the Committee to posters that had been circulated regarding the event.  These clearly indicated that this was not a private event as tickets were for sale and early bird offers had been promoted.  Internet research had revealed that the applicant was a regular event promoter, that this event could be well attended and that it would be attractive to young people.  The Officer confirmed that the landowner had not given permission for the event to take place.  It could not be confirmed whether or not the site met licence objectives due to the lack of information provided.

Information that was outstanding included:

·         Clarification of the numbers that might attend;

·         How identification would be checked to ensure that only over 18’s accessed the site;

·         Steps taken to prevent the sale or supply of drugs;

·         Procedures to safeguard those leaving the event, either voluntarily or those being removed by the organisers;

·         The event was accessed via the A396 which was a national speed limit road with no street lighting or footpaths.

The Officer highlighted areas of concern:

·         The River could not be fenced for the entire length and the water levels could get much faster and rise substantially in wet weather conditions.  There were no processes in place to prevent access to the river by the public, who may be under the influence of drink or drugs. The river could also be used as a point of access to the event for those without tickets.

·         The road was a main ‘A’ road with the national speed limit.  The Highway  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.