To determine whether to grant a finishing time later than the current policy of 0100 hours Monday to Saturday and 2230 on Sundays for an Occasional Public Entertainments Licence.

Ward: Ledbury

Consideration was given to a report in respect of an application from Chill Fest Ltd for an Occasional Public Entertainment Licence and for an Occasional Cinema Licence with finishing times later than those which were set out in the Council’s policies.  The Acting Licensing Manager gave details of the policies and the reasons for which they were in place. She advised that the policies protected the local community and individuals from disturbance by such events and she also said that the Committee would need to have regard to the implications of any decisions it made which would relate to the provision of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.  She added that the Fire Authority and the Police had no objections to the applications and that the Area Environmental Health Manager had also raised none, subject to certain conditions being imposed on the licence if the appeal was upheld.  .

Fiona Stewart presented the application on behalf of Chill Fest Ltd for a finishing time of 2.00 am on 30 and 31 July 2004 and 1.00 am on 1 August 2004.  She asked for the opening hours to be varied to 6.00 am in respect of an Occasional Cinema License on 30 July 2004 – 1 August 2004.  She provided the Committee with details about the event and said that four full time Police Officers and forty-five professional security guards would be employed.  The event had first been held at the same venue last year and had proved to be extremely successful with few problems or complaints arising.  CCTV would be used at the venue and steps would be taken to minimise traffic congestion on the adjoining road network by staggering the admission period. There would be strict controls in place so that those attending would be by ticket only.  She also explained that the Occasional Cinema License was for a marquee which would be showing films during the night time period of the event. 

At the conclusion of the appeal the applicant and the licensing officers withdrew from the meeting whilst consideration was given to the applications.  Having considered all the facts in relation to the application the Committee whilst mindful of the Council’s policies took the view that Ms Stewart had given satisfactory evidence to suggest that the event would be well supervised in a responsible manner.  The Committee decided that the extension of hours should be granted, but only because of the exceptional circumstances involved.  The applicant and the licensing officers were invited back to the meeting and were informed of the decision.

RESOLVED:            That

(i)                 an Occasional Public Entertainment Licence be granted to Chill Fest Ltd in respect of the Big Chill Festival at Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Ledbury with a finishing time of 2.00 am on 30 and 31 July 2004 and 1.00 am on 1 August 2004; and

(ii)an Occasional Cinemas License be granted to Chill Fest Ltd at Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Ledbury to 6.00 am Friday 30 July 2004 – Sunday 1 August 2004, subject to:

(a)the applicant fulfilling any conditions imposed by the Police and by the Fire Authority;

(b)               the applicant agreeing final details of the event with the Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards, satisfying his requirements regarding car parking, stewarding, minimisation of noise nuisance and providing him with a responsible contact person for the event;

and

(c)the local residents being notified or reminded in writing by the applicant.