Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Licensing and Registration.

The Licensing Sub Committee considered an application for the grant of a time limited premises licence, made by Mint Festival Ltd, for Wetherby Racecourse, York Road, Wetherby, LS22 5EJ.

The team from Mint Festival Ltd were in attendance at the hearing represented by Mr Rees-Gay of Woods Whurr Solicitors.

The application had attracted a representation from a Ward Councillor, Councillor J Proctor Wetherby Ward, Councillor Proctor was unable to attend the hearing. However, he was represented at the hearing by Councillor A. Lamb Wetherby Ward.

Mr Rees-Gay provided the Licensing Sub Committee with the background of the Mint Festival Ltd informing the Members that the roots of the brand ‘Mint’ were in Leeds. He informed the Committee that previous events had been held at Lotherton Hall and also in Lincolnshire where no negative representations had been received.

Members were informed that the 2 day music festival is set to take place annually on the third weekend of September.

The festival will take place on Saturday 19^th and Sunday 20^th September, with the event arena open both days from 10:00 hours until 23:00 hours.

The application for the time limited premises licence is to cover a four day period for the purpose of the campsites where low key entertainment and bars will be provided.

Members were informed that meetings had taken place and had been attended by local MP and Ward Councillors. Meetings had also taken place with Licensing Team, Highways and other agencies.

Mr Rees-Gay highlighted page 153 of the agenda, the agreement from West Yorkshire Police. He also highlighted the objections raised by Councillor Procter on page 157 of the agenda. Mr Rees-Gay informed the Sub Committee that the Police would remain the key licensing enforcers.

Mr Rees-Gay listed the key conditions as follows:

·  Sale of Alcohol – check 21, the event only open 18 years and over and Mint Festivals Ltd to use Challenge 25

·  CCTV suitably installed

·  Sufficient number of stewards etc. as set out in Purple Book

·  Search policy

·  Seizure of drugs or Weapons to be recorded and reported

·  Attendees not allowed to bring own alcohol on to the site

·  Notices around the site

·  Main arena to finish at 23:00 hours

Members attention was drawn to the revised transport plans outlining the entrance and exit routes to the festival site.

The Committee was informed of the following:

·  Local residents had been consulted with through meetings and public notices.

·  How the non-acceptance of personal alcohol policy would be applied

·  Potential for 15,000 people to attend the event

·  The event would be the first 2 day event hosted by Mint Festival Ltd 

Councillor Lamb made representation to the Committee informing Members that he had attended a meeting on the 23^rd February 2015, this being the first that elected members had known of the event.

He had suggested that the event organisers consulted with the local parish councils of Thorp Arch, Walton and Wetherby and provide drop in events at Wetherby Town Hall. He informed the Committee that these had not taken place and was of the view that the event organisers had not engaged sufficiently with the local community including the Young Offenders Unit across the road from the site.

Councillor Lamb was of the view that the festival was a good opportunity to raise the profile of Wetherby and the surrounding area. However, he had concerns in relation to the following:

·  Transport links which may be preferred by Leeds people

·  South Entrance to the site located on Walton Road which is a major accident hotspot

·  Notices overlapping with those of the Leeds Festival

·  Potential for crime and disorder given the amount of people due to attend

·  Potential for noise nuisance from campsite

Councillor Lamb suggested that Mint Festival consult with ward councillors before, during and after the event, had clear dialogue with local residents with a willingness to work in partnership with the local community.

Mr Rees-Gay addressed some of the concerns raised by Councillor Lamb, informing the Committee that Mint Festival Ltd would be happy to engage with the Young Offenders Unit and consult with the local community.

He informed Members that:

·  The conditions of the transport plan had been produced in consultation with all relevant agencies.

·  Walton Road would only be used in emergencies

·  Low key entertainment in the campsite after 23:00 hours

·  CCTV in operation and also a watch tower

·  Organiser will consult with elected members and parish councillors

RESOLVED – That the licence be granted with the following revised conditions:

·  The premises Licence Holder shall comply with the terms and requirements of the Event Management Plan each year

·  There shall be an Event Management Plan which incorporates the Operating Schedule submitted to the Licensing Authority at least six months prior to the festival each year

·  The licence holder will co-ordinate meetings of the safety Advisory Group throughout the planning process

·  The licence holder will provide the Event Management Plan to all members of the Safety Advisory Group not less than six months before the event

·  The licence holder will meet with Ward Members, Representatives of Parish Councils and community representatives throughout the planning process

·  The final Event Management Plan will be provided to the Licensing Authority not less than 35 days prior to the event

·  The Event Management Plan and any revisions to the Event Management Plan must be approved by the Licensing Authority prior to the Festival, in accordance with the officer delegation scheme

·  The shall be a review of the event on an annual basis, to come before the full Licensing Committee