Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Simon Coles.

To elect a Chair for this Licensing Sub Committee Hearing.

Councillor Tony Lock was appointed.

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 announced that he would be changing the order of speaking so that the Applicant, would follow the Licensing Officer. The Responsible Authorities and Other Persons would follow in that order.

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.

On the evidence before it, having considered all the circumstances, the Sub- Committee grants the application for a Premises Licence as applied for, for one event in August from Thursday to Sunday, subject to the conditions agreed with the Police, and Environmental Protection (Appendix 3 of the agenda papers) being endorsed on the licence together with the conditions set out in the Operating Schedule (section M of the Application). For the avoidance of any doubt this festival will not go ahead unless the Event Safety Management Plan and the Noise Management Plan are approved by the Police and Environmental Protection 18 weeksand 12weeks respectively,before theevent, together withall otherplans and matters that are required in the agreed conditions.

The Licensing and Business Support Officer introduced the report in respect of The Three Wishes Fairy Festival, Garslade Farm, Godney highlighting that the reason for the application was forthe grantof apremises licenceby William Goodenon 24 October 2023.

The Licensing and Business Support Officer advised that theapplication wasfor afamily friendlyevent and there would beeducational workshops,music and activitiesprovided, withmusic, activitiesthat includedworkshops andperformances, foodand drink and a Fairy Market. Licensable activities would include; the Supply of Alcohol, Regulated Entertainment and Late-Night Refreshment.

She further advised that the proposed licensable activities would be:

The event was proposed to take place over one weekend, once a year beginning on a Friday until Monday, usually in August. The demographic of the people on site would be a range of ages and would include children.

The application was applied for a capacity of up to a maximum of 4,999.It was expected in the first year (2024) capacity to be around 1,500.

Theapplication could befound atAppendix 1,the licensedarea plancan befound at Appendix 2.

The premise was set to take place on the Somerset Levels in the village of Godney, surrounded by the Mendip Hills, anArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the Wetland Meadows.Garslade Farm was a working organic farm.The current owner runs an organic sheep business with traditional lambing taking place during the winter months, then making way for a campsite and B&B during the summer season.

Two further licensed events were held at Garslade Farm; The Godney Gathering and The Goodentime event.

It was worth noting that during the representation period agreement was reached between the applicant, Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Somerset Council’s Environmental Protection Team for additional conditions to beattached tothe licence,should itbe granted.These canbe foundat Appendix 3.

The reason for the hearing was that 2 representations had been received relating to all four of the Licensing Objectives. A copy of these representations can be found at Appendix 4 and 5.

The Council had not received any representations from any Responsible Authority.

The Chair thanked the Officer for her report.

In response to questions from the representatives and committee members, the Licensing and Business Support Officer confirmed that:

No planning permission was needed as the hearing was only to consider the license for this event under the licensing act and it was separate to additional applications such as planning. However, she assured everybody that it was possible to issue a licence without planning permission. She further assured  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

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.