Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

There were no declarations of interest made by members.

The Licensing Sub-Committee noted the procedure to be followed when considering Licensing Applications under the Licensing Act 2003.

The Chair introduced the members of the Sub-Committee and the Officers present at the hearing.

The Chair 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.

In respect of the Temporary Event Notice received for Wincanton Sports Centre, West Hill, Wincanton, BA9 9SP, under the Licensing Act 2003, the Licensing Sub-Committee has determined that the events on 12^TH August to 13^th August 2023 should proceed in accordance with the temporary event notices.

A written objection notice had been received from the Avon and Somerset Police objecting to the application on the grounds of crime and disorder, public safety and protection of children from harm. Their main concern being the crime and disorder experienced at two previous events organised by the same applicant.

They were also concerned that the applicant had not provided enough detailed information on how the event would be managed and that an insufficient risk assessment had been undertaken. Following assurances from the applicant, the Police remained concerned that there was insufficient security available and that in the event of a disturbance, they would be unable to manage public disorder, comprising the safety of visitors to the event. They concluded by stating that the Police could only judge such an event based upon the information before them, and this was completely insufficient and they could not be convinced that the event would be run safely and could not support it in its current form.

The applicant assured members of the Sub-Committee that measures had been put in place to alleviate the concerns expressed by the Police. They had increased the security staff and would not allow anyone into the event who were known to have caused anti-social behaviour at previous events.

The Sub-Committee noted the significant objections raised by the Police in respect of the proposed security arrangements and their concerns that a proper risk assessment had not been completed.

The Sub-Committee listened to the assurances of the applicant of the additional measures they had put in place such as additional security staff, body camera’s and I.D checks.  They were keen for the event to proceed and supported events of this nature. They took into account the incidents that had occurred at the previous events and were satisfied that the applicant had put measures in place to promote the licensing objectives.

The Sub-Committee approved the applications for the temporary event notice.

The Legal Specialist advised that the applicant had made a request for a number of documents to be considered which had been received by the Police that morning.  She advised that if the Sub-Committee wished to view the documents, an adjournment would need to agreed.  In response, the Chair advised that due to the lateness in receiving the information and the fact that they were lengthy documents, he would not be seeking an adjournment.

The Licensing Specialist presented the report in respect of a Temporary Event Notice application for an event at Wincanton sports Centre, West Hill, Wincanton, BA9 9SP, following receipt of an objection on behalf of the Chief of Police for Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

She explained that the application was for a boxing show event taking place from 12^th to 13^th August 2023.  The proposed activities were for the sale by retail of alcohol and regulated entertainment.  The timing of the event had been amended following the submission of the event management plan and would now start at 5.00pm, with last orders at 11.00pm and the last service of alcohol being around 11.30pm with all members of the public vacating the premises by 12 midnight.  The applicant was a personal licence holder and in support of his application, he had submitted an event safety management plan, risk assessment for crowds, a response to the police objection and a letter from the security company along with an event management plan in relation to a previous event.

The Police Licensing Officer confirmed that the information submitted by the applicant and received by the police that morning following a meeting held the previous Friday had not been considered and did not form part of their representations.  The Police Licensing Officer addressed the Licensing Sub-Committee.  Her representations included the following:

·         Details of two previous events that had resulted in crime and disorder and anti-social behaviour being experienced which were directed linked to the events and the persons involved in the disorder being heavily intoxicated.

·         The police believed that the hours applied for were excessive and would fuel anti-social behaviour.

·         The event management plan submitted was almost identical to the plan for the May event.  It was noted that the SIA provision had been increased from ten to twelve. The police were informed that twelve operatives were working at the event in May therefore if this was the case no additional measures to promote the licensing objectives had been put in place.

·         The show was a white-collar boxing event and therefore would not operate within the defined and appropriate rules and guidance for a safe boxing event other than those adopted by the applicant.

·         There was no detail provided around the promotion of the licensing objections and the sale of alcohol within the event management plan and other documentation.

·         The applicant had referred to only three percent of his total capacity being involved in serious disorder.  The police considered a zero percentage to be acceptable.

·         The venue was not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.