Agenda and draft minutes

There were no disclosures by Members and Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED:  That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.

The Chairman requested that all those participating in the hearing identified themselves as follows:-

Councillor Gordon Newton – Chairman

Councillor Patrik Garten – Committee Member

Councillor Mrs Denise Joy – Committee Member

Robin Harris, Legal Advisor

Caroline Matthews, Democratic Services Officer

On behalf of the Applicants (Spirit of Rock Ltd) – Steve Forster, Festival Director and Gemma Sharmah, Operations Manager

Objectors – Dr Moira Thompson, Professor Edward Thompson, Mr Robin Giles and Mr Brian Chapman

Councillor Mrs Springett was present as an observer.

The Chairman asked all parties to confirm that they were aware of the hearing procedure and that each had a copy of the procedure document.

The Committee Members confirmed that they had pre-read all the papers and any other documents contained in the report regarding the hearing.

The Legal Advisor briefly outlined the application for a premises licence from 29^th June to 1^st July 2018 which had been received from Spirit of Rock Ltd on 16 February 2018 for a Ramblin Man Fair. 

The Sub-Committee noted that a representation had been received from a member of the Community Safety Team but had been subsequently withdrawn.  However, three representations had been received in regard to the prevention of public nuisance.

It was also noted that draft conditions had been proposed and the applicant had agreed them but the objectors had not.

The Applicant was invited to give his opening remarks.

Mr Forster advised that:-

·  He had been brought in as Festival Director this year, so was new to this event. He was also Managing Director of MS Live Venues and Operations which provided 30/40 events per year. 

·  He had reviewed the application to ensure that it complied with best practice and had tried to ensure that event protocols were in place. In addition the event had now been contained to the Saturday and Sunday.

·  He felt that the procedures that had been put in place this year would, he believed, reduce the potential noise element by one third.  New noise consultants (Jones Nash) had been appointed and new changes and equipment had been brought in to reduce noise levels.

·  The number of stages had been reduced from 4 to 3, with the main stage being in a huge marquee. Some of the stages would be moved to face different directions as well.

·  In summary he felt that the company had taken on board previous concerns about the noise from residents and had put in measures to  contain the noise levels to be within the Park.

The objectors were asked if they wished to ask questions of the Applicant.

Mr Chapman asked where the stages were to be set.  Miss Sharmah (Rock Festival Ltd) advised one would face east, one would face north and one would be contained inside the large marquee which would be the main stage.   

Professor Thompson asked whether the frequencies could be turned down from 63 to 55 dbs.  Mr Forster, in response, stated that the noise levels had not exceeded the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.