To consider an application for a premises licence in respect of the Jamstand 2009, Caroline Symonds Gardens, Ross on Wye.

The Regulatory Sub-Committee was convened in order to determine an application for a new premises licence in respect of The Jamstand 2009, Ross-on-Wye. The application was submitted in accordance with Section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The Chairman introduced the Members and Officers and asked any interested parties to introduce themselves. He advised them of the hearing procedures and asked if any party required an extension to the 10 minute time limit for public speaking, no extensions were requested.

The Licensing Officer presented the report and advised members that the applicant had agreed to all of the conditions recommended by the environmental health department.

PC Steve Thomas advised members that this was a difficult application for the police. He stated that 2 years ago the event operated under a TEN and around 200 people turned up. Last year the event also operated under a TEN but around 1500-2000 turned up, considerably more than the 499 people permitted under a TEN. He went on to add that after reading the Jamstand website it was apparent that more than 499 people were expected this time, with police estimating numbers of between 3000 and 4000.

He advised members that police officers had to intervene at the end of the previous years event as the bands over ran. A number of intoxicated people were not happy about police turning off the music and made their feelings known.

PC Thomas stated that the application was submitted in early June but that the police were not happy with it as it was deemed to be inadequate as it contained no details of control measures and Section P of the application form did not contain enough information under the prevention of crime and disorder. Since then the applicant has submitted an Event Management Plan which has been revised a number of times. He added that the Police still had concerns relating to the number of attendees and control measures as the organisers have no idea how many people will attend. He also felt that the plan submitted with the application form was not acceptable. Mr J Baldus produced a signed and dated receipt from the West Mercia Police confirming that an A1 site plan had been received by the police on 13 June 2007, PC Thomas stated that this document had not been passed to him.

PC Thomas felt that the proposed number of stewards was insufficient. He noted that the proposal was to have two stewards at the bar, two at the dance tent, leaving two stewards to cover the rest of the site. He advised members that the event had not been the subject of organised Policing in the previous 2 years and that the applicant’s risk assessment stated that they did not need police on site this year.

He went on to voice concerns over the proposed escape route from the site as it passed the river which in his opinion was a danger. He was also concerned that the current Event Management Plan moved the location of the two tents which altered the application significantly.

Finally he requested the following additional condition in addition to the conditions suggested in his representation:

Event takes place in accordance with the event management plan submitted today and also in accordance with the risk assessment.

In response to a question from Mr P Baldus, PC Thomas confirmed that the requested security fence was required to control the number of people on the site and also to clearly define the licensed area. A further discussion took place regarding the merits of an enclosed security fence.

Mr J Baldus advised members that a brass band were playing at the Bandstand the day after the Jamstand event, he also stated that Ross carnival and the classic car show both used the site without being subject to the conditions recommended by the police. PC Thomas advised members that the events mentioned by the applicant attracted a very different clientele to the Jamstand. He also added that the Bandstand was already licensed for non amplified music so the brass band would not have required a licence.

Mr Porter, a local resident who had made a valid representation in respect of the application addressed the Sub-Committee. He advised members that he had attended the Jamstand event in 2008. He added that he had some reservations in respect of the site location but on balance he supported the application as the hours had now been amended.

Miss Drake-Lee, speaking in support of the application, addressed the sub-committee. She advised members that she estimated that 2000 people would attend the event over the course of the whole day with considerably less than that being on site at any one time. She advised members that the 20 stewards were experienced, SIA registered staff who would also be stewarding the area next to the river as well as the main entrances. She confirmed that Wye Street would be closed for the event and that people would be directed to one of two main entrances. In respect of controlling numbers she added that it was a free event and it was difficult to predict the number of attendees as it would vary due to weather conditions and other factors. She did however state that if the number of attendees got too high the music would be stopped in order to allow people to move away from the site. In response to other points raised by the police and environmental health she confirmed that litter collections would taker place regularly, that there would be two emergency response vehicles available and that all staff working with children had been CRB checked.

Mr Peter Baldus addressed the sub-committee in support of the application. He voiced his concerns in respect of the police representation and felt that his son, Jack Baldus, had addressed all of the reasonable concerns raised by the responsible authorities. He noted that the event had taken place previously with no arrests or disorder. He felt that the police recommendation of a boundary fence was unreasonable as the event was non profit making, he also felt that a boundary fence could cause more safety issues than an open site.

Councillor C Bartrum speaking on behalf of the applicant addressed the sub-committee. He advised members that the event had been held in Ross-on-Wye for the previous 2 years with no problems. He felt that it was a family event and was safe, secure and fun. He felt that the applicant had co-operated with all reasonable requests by the responsible authorities and also noted that the Town Council were in support of the application. In summing up he felt that the application had been submitted with the co-operation of all parties and that it should be approved.

Mr Jack Baldus, the applicant, addressed the sub-committee in support of his application. He stated that he had learnt lessons from the previous event and had therefore organised toilets on the site as well as regular litter collections. He also advised Members that a stage manager would be on site to ensure the event did not run over the allotted time as had occurred previously. He felt that all of the issues raised by the responsible authorities had been addressed in the Event Management Plan and therefore requested that the application be granted.

The Sub-Committee retired to make their decision and requested that the Legal Practice Manager and the Democratic Services Officer retire with them to offer legal and procedural advice.

RESOLVED

That the application for a new premises licence in respect of Jamstand 2009, Caroline Symonds Gardens, Ross-on-Wye, be approved subject to any conditions detailed in the attached decision notice.