Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the local Code of Conduct, a councillor is required to disclose at the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) that they may have in respect of any matter for consideration on this agenda. Any councillor with a DPI must not participate in any discussion or vote regarding that matter and that they must also withdraw from the meeting immediately before consideration of the matter.

If that DPI has not been registered, you must notify the Monitoring Officer of the details of the DPI within 28 days of the date of the meeting.

Councillors are further invited to disclose any non-pecuniary interest which may be relevant to any matter on this agenda, in the interests of transparency, and to confirm that it will not affect their objectivity in relation to that matter.

No disclosures of interest were declared.

In arriving at its decision, the Sub-Committee took into account the relevant representations submitted verbally and in writing. The Sub-Committee was also made aware that the following sections of the Licensing Policy were relevant:

·         Section 4: (Fundamental Principles)

·         Section 11: 11.1 – 11.9 (Licensing Hours)

·         Section 12: 12.1.1 – 12.14 (Prevention of Crime & Disorder)

·         Section 12.2: 12.2.1 – 12.2.5 (Public Safety)

·         Section 12.3: 12.3.1 – 12.3.6 (Prevention of Public Nuisance)

·         Section 12.4: (Protection of Children from Harm)

·         Section 13: 13.1 – 13.7 (Large Scale Events)

The following sections of the Guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 were also relevant:

·         Paragraph 2.1 – 2.26 – Crime and Disorder

·         Paragraph 2.7-2.9 – Public Safety

·         Paragraphs 2.15-2.21 – Public nuisance

·         Paragraphs 9.31-9.41 – Hearings

·         Paragraphs 9.42-9.44 – Determining actions that are appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives

·         Paragraphs 10.1-10.66 – Conditions

The Sub-Committee received a report from the Licensing Officer, Mark Adams.  The proposal was for a live music festival to be held in the field at Merrist Wood with alcohol to be consumed on the premises.  The site would include a camping area and food outlets in addition to the main stage.  In the first year that the premises licence has effect, the licence holder shall only be authorised to provide licensable activities on dates given in June 2022.  In subsequent years, the licence holder shall give written notification to the licensing authority at least six calendar months before the first day on which the licensable activities will be provided in that year (which will be on the second weekend of the May/June half term holidays).   The written notification shall give the date on which the licence holder intends to provide the licensable activities authorised by this premises licence, and the date shall not exceed two calendar days.

The Licensing Sub-Committee noted that there was an existing licence for the site, GUPLA0375, held by Guildford College since 2006.  This was a new application which did not replace the existing licence held by the college.  The applicant had permission to run an event at the site for two days per annum.  Any licence granted was subject to conditions and additional conditions would be applied inline with the operating schedule supplied by the applicant and the Event Management Plan.  The Sub-Committee may also apply additional or altered conditions, but these must be appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives, proportionate and should address the matters raised in the representations.  The application was consulted on from 10 February to 10 March 2022 and advertised in accordance with the regulations.  A total of sixteen objections had been received, on the grounds of Public Nuisance, Public Safety and possible Crime and Disorder.  Concerns were raised regarding the operation of the site with suggested increased level of nuisance to the residents as well as a possible increase in crime.  The Sub-Committee noted that it must consider the application for the grant pf a premises licence on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.