Agenda and minutes

To consider and determine an Application for a Premises Licence by Wiltshire Council in respect of Tidworth Development Centre, St Andrews Hall, Bulford Road, Tidworth, Wiltshire SP9 7RZ.

Application by Wiltshire Council for a Premises Licence at Tidwork Development Centre, St Andrew’s Hall, Bulford Road, Tidworth, Wiltshire SP9 7RZ.

The Chairman drew attendees’ attention to an additional floorplan of the premises, submitted by the applicant in support of the application. The interested party accepted the information and this was included for consideration.

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

In accordance with the procedure detailed in the agenda, the Applicant, the Responsible Authorities and the Interested Parties were given the opportunity to address the Sub Committee.

Key points raised by Wendy Higginson on behalf of the applicant, Wiltshire Council were:

·               Licence is sought in order to hold monthly disco events for young people without the need for a Temporary Event Notice, which has previously been exercised;

·               Discos have been held jointly between Wiltshire Council Integrated Youth Services and Wiltshire Constabulary, including the organisation and operation of events, since 2006;

·               Free transport via minibus is provided to and from the events where required by Wiltshire Constabulary and Wellington Academy;

·               Events operate on a non-profit basis, with £2 entry fee and tuck shop on the premises. No alcohol is available or allowed on the premises during this time;

·               Premises can accommodate up to 120 attendees, usually supervised by between 6 and 8 staff including warranted officers, PCSOs and Wiltshire Council staff;

·               No readmission is allowed and egress from the premises is supervised responsibly by staff to ensure the safety of leavers and the prevention of nuisance to others;

·               Inappropriate behaviour by attendees is challenged and on one occasion this has resulted in the cancellation of an event, but this is the only occasion on which such a problem has occurred;

·               PCSO Maria Downing has previously met with the interested party to monitor and arrange mitigation of nuisance caused by the events; and

·               Premises is the only suitable venue in the local area and performs a highly beneficial function for young people.

Key points raised by the Interested Party, Mr and Mrs Green, were:

·               That no objection is raised in respect of the operation of the premises as a youth centre so far as usual activities are concerned;

·               Disco nights incur significant nuisance in terms of noise disturbance, which is particularly apparent in the party’s front room, which directly adjoins the premises;

·               Previous incidents include antisocial behaviour by those leaving the premises, resulting in damage to property later replaced by the Council;

·               Events in the past have caused the access road to be blocked by related vehicles, as well as noise disturbance from car horns, engines, etc;

·               Noise from drum kit used in premises during similar hours has caused disturbance, albeit on a less continuous basis;

·               Those leaving have not always been properly supervised, posing a danger to themselves and a potential nuisance to others;

·               Discussion with the visiting PCSO has failed to realise any improvement, despite agreement that noise was audible in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.