To elect a Chairman for the hearing.

Councillor JW Hope MBE was elected as Chairman for the Regulatory Sub-Committee hearing.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Brig. P Jones CBE.

To receive details any details of Members nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the Committee.

Councillor SPA Daniels attended the meeting as a substitute member for Councillor Brig P Jones CBE.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on the Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To consider an application for a grant of an occasional premises licence in respect of the Wyeside Music Festival 2010, Wergins Bridge Fields (Grid Ref: so 52827/44579), Sutton St Nicholas, Hereford.

The Sub-Committee were required to hear and determine an opposed application for a new premises licence for Wyeside Music Festival. The Chairman introduced the Sub-Committee and Officers and confirmed that all Members had received the background papers. He then asked any interested parties attending the hearing to make themselves known. The following attendees were noted:

• Mr A Trezins (Environmental Protection Manager)
• Mr J Mooney (West Mercia Police Licensing Officer)
• Mr S Symonds (Applicant)
• Mr M Winnell (Parish Council)

The Licensing Officer presented his report to the Sub-Committee and confirmed that the applicant had agreed to all of the conditions recommended by West Mercia Police Authority and the Environmental Health Officer.

Mr Mooney, representing West Mercia Police advised Members of the conditions that had been agreed with the applicant. In response to a question from Mr Winnell he stated that the conditions would be enforced by the Council. Mr Mooney added that there had been a meeting of the safety advisory group where a number of issues had been discussed with the applicant.

The Environmental Health Officer advised Members of the agreed conditions which helped to address the concerns raised by local residents who had made representations in respect of the application.

In accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 Regulations for Hearings, Mr Winnell, representing Sutton St. Nicholas Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application.

In response to a point raised by Mr Winnell in respect of the access to the site, the Licensing Officer confirmed that the access was shown as 10.5 metres wide on the site plan and therefore the actual access would have to be the same size.

In accordance with the Licensing Act 2003, Regulations for Hearings, Mr Symonds, the applicant, spoke in support of his application.

In response to questions from Members, Mr Symonds advised that:

• the event had not previously been closed down due to operating past its permitted hours,
• he was happy to reduce the hours if Members felt that it was necessary,
• the late night refreshment applied for was to facilitate people camping on the site,
• Midland Traffic Management would be managing the traffic,
• the clean up operation would take place on Sunday and Monday once the event had finished,
• and that the Police had recommended a staggered time for the different stages.

The Sub-Committee retired to make their decision. The Senior Litigator and the Democratic Services Officer retired with them to offer legal and procedural advice.

The Chairman read out the attached decision.

RESOLVED:

That the application for a new premise licence in respect of Wyeside Music Festival 2010 be granted subject to the amended hours and conditions outlined in the attached decision notice.