Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for the meeting of the Sub Committee.

Nominations for a Chairman of the Licensing Sub Committee were sought and it was

Resolved:

To elect Councillor Jonathan Seed as Chairman for this meeting only.

The Chairman will explain the attached procedure for the members of the public present.

The Chairman explained the procedure to be followed at the hearing, as contained within the “Wiltshire Licensing Committee Procedural Rules for the Hearing of Licensing Act 2003 Applications” (Pages 1 – 8 of the Agenda refers).

The Chairman will give details of the exits to be used in the event of an emergency.

The Chairman gave details of the exits to be used in the event of an emergency.

To receive any declarations of non pecuniary or pecuniary interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no interests declared.

Application by Wiltshire Police for a Review of the Premises Licence in respect of WOMAD, Charlton Park Estate, Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 9DG.

The Licensing Officer introduced the purpose and scope of the application, the premises to which it related and the key issues for consideration.

The Sub-Committee heard from Mr Simon Taylor representing WOMAD who requested an adjournment on the grounds that there was significant evidence supplied by Wiltshire Police on 16 November that WOMAD had not had the opportunity to respond to for this meeting.  Mr Taylor referred to the Councils procedure rules for the hearing of Licensing Act 2003 applications, in particular paragraph 3.2.3 which states that ‘the Applicant has an adequate opportunity to consider and respond to any submission made by a Responsible Authority/Authorities and /or an Interested Party/Parties.’ He felt that the procedure would be flawed and WOMAD would be disadvantaged if they were not given sufficient time to respond to the evidence submitted by the Police.

The Sub-Committee also heard from  Ms Sarah Le Fevre, representing the Police, who confirmed that the evidence submitted on 16 November would be relied upon extensively during their submission.

The Sub-Committee adjourned the meeting between 10:45am and 11:30am to consider the request for an adjournment.

Resolved:

That the Application by Wiltshire Police for a Review of the Premises Licence in respect of WOMAD, Charlton Park Estate, Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 9DG be adjourned until 9:30am on Friday 14 December 2012 at Monkton Park Offices, Chippenham.

Note –

In considering the adjournment the Sub-Committee wished to register its concern at the protracted nature of the negotiations and reminded both parties that Wiltshire Council was the Licensing Authority and furthermore it was expected that both parties undertake full disclosure of relevant evidence by 5 December 2012.  The Chairman emphasised that the Sub-Committee would make a decision on the Licence at the reconvened  hearing on Friday 14 December 2012.