Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for the meeting and the Chairman to present and explain the procedure for the meeting.

Proposed by Cllr Emma Parker, seconded by Cllr Jon Andrews

Decision: that Cllr Les Fry be elected as chairman for the duration of the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs David Taylor and Mike Dyer, substituted by Cllrs Emma Parker and Jon Andrews.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made at the meeting.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.

To consider a new premises licence for We Out Here Festival.

The Senior Licensing Officer presented the report for a new premises licence We Out Here, Wimborne St Giles, Dorset. Environmental Health and Dorset Police had requested a number of conditions to be added to the licence which the applicant had agreed.

The conditions included the change of hours of the sale of alcohol to the following times Wednesday 14:00-23:00, Thursday 11:00-03:00, Friday 11:00-04:00, Saturday 11:00-04:00, Sunday 11:00-03:00, Alcohol on Friday and Saturday to be 04:00 and 05:00 hours for 2024 and beyond with prior written permission from Dorset police, now agreed.

All parties were given the opportunity to ask questions of the Senior Licensing Officer.

The applicants were given the opportunity to state their case. The solicitor for the applicant presented his observations of the report and covered the key points such as, there were no other Responsible Authorities objecting to the application, the road would be slowed from a 60 to a 30 Mph speed limit for public safety, and it is a well-planned event, which would focus on jazz and world music.

There had been pre-application consultation with all authorities, dialogue and discussion with the safety advisory group, and an experienced sound consultant employed to manage and assess noise levels. Any concerns about noise will be investigated, with a helpline and state of the art facilities. Challenge 25 will be enforced; staff will undergo training and the event will provide a cultural benefit.

Councillors asked the applicant questions regarding the difficulty of finding the festival and that signposting, and advertisement was needed. The background and effectiveness of the traffic management plan, setting a date for the debrief, days that the festival will operate, clarification of the term family event, keeping families safe, supporting families with the helpline, supply of water and the security of the site were discussed.   

There was an adjournment for 5 minutes.

Mr Lithgow made a representation as he lived near the site, and stated he would likely hear noises but was confident that the applicant employed experienced staff. He supported the dark sky designation but felt that the event would have a small impact on the area.

Mr Burden from the Cranborne Chase AONB group, informed the Sub-Committee of the potential impacts on the AONB such as, noise, light creating a sky glow effect, additional visitors, and the disturbance to tranquillity.

He highlighted the Council’s duty under section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to have regard to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the AONB’s natural beauty when exercising or performing any of its functions.

In response to Mr Burden’s comments, the solicitor asked for it to be recorded that they will continue to engage fully and comprehensively with the Cranborne Chase AONB Group.

All parties were given the opportunity to sum up their case prior to the sub-licensing committee adjourning to make their decision.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph x of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

Proposed by Cllr Emma Parker, Seconded by Cllr Jon Andrews

Decision

That the press and the public be excluded for the following item(s) in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Decision: To GRANT a Premises Licence to permit one event per calendar year for a maximum of 6 (six) days, with the usual mandatory conditions, the conditions consistent with the Operating Schedule and the conditions added by the Sub-Committee.