Agenda, decisions and minutes

To elect a Chairman for this meeting.

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

Resolved:

To elect Councillor Jerry Kunkler as Chairman for this meeting only.

To receive any apologies for absence and to note any substitutions.

Apologies were received from Cllr Pip Ridout and Cllr Peter Hutton was substituting for her.  Apologies were also received from Linda Holland (Licensing Manager).

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

The Chairman gave the details of the exits to be used in the event of an emergency and confirmed that the hearing was not being recorded by Wiltshire Council.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman will explain the attached procedure to those present.

The Chairman explained the procedure to be followed at the hearing, as contained within the “Hearing Procedure Summary – Classification of Films” (Page 5 of the Agenda refers).

To consider whether to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the business specified in Agenda item 7 in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (the Act) because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A, Part 1, paragraph 6b under the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

The Sub Committee were in agreement that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Agenda item 7 and duly:

Resolved:

To agree that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the business specified in Minute Number 7 because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 6b of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

To consider and determine the classifications of a number of short films that are to be shown as part of the Ignite Film Festival at the Marlborough Parade Cinema between 28 June and 1 July 2022.  The Sub Committee will view the films and make their determinations following each film. The briefing report of Linda Holland (Licensing Manager) is attached.

Teresa Isaacson (Public Protection Officer – Licensing) explained to the Sub Committee that a request had been received on behalf of the Ignite Film Festival to classify a number of films which were planned to be shown at the Parade Cinema in Marlborough between 28 June and 1 July 2022, those films not having a British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).

A short statement was read out on behalf of the Ignite Film Festival Directors which gave details of their plans.

Three films were then shown to the Sub Committee Members and they watched each film in turn and then discussed and agreed the classifications for each to be used for any viewings of the film in Wiltshire.

Resolved:

That the documentary/film, “Envoy: Shark Cull”, be given the classification of 12A for any public viewing in Wiltshire.

Reasons:

The Sub Committee unanimously agreed that the content should be subject to a 12A classification. They noted that the documentary may cause distress to younger audiences due to the sustained images of and references to animal suffering and death and injury to people and some may need reassurance from adults whilst watching the film.  However they did feel that some children would be interested in viewing the film for educational and environmental purposes. 

Resolved:

That the film, “Cutstein”, be given the classification of 15 for any public viewing in Wiltshire.

Reasons:

The Sub Committee unanimously agreed that the content should be subject to a 15 classification. They noted that the subtitled film contained scenes of animated violence, a brief animated horror piercing scene and  portrayals of discriminatory language or behaviour and this was not felt for suitable viewing under the age of 15.

Resolved:

That the film “Finding Wilson”, be given the classification of 12A for any public viewing in Wiltshire.

Reasons:

The Sub Committee unanimously agreed that the content should be subject to a 12A classification. They felt that whilst the film was semi educational there were sustained references to bullying and references to suicide and scenes of combat violence and injury/death.  

In reaching its decisions the Sub Committee also took into account the relevant provisions of the Licensing Act 2003, the  Council’s agreed procedure for the classification of films which was approved in September 2019 and the British Board of Film Classifications current guidelines.