Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received.

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgment of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

None.

The procedure to be followed for the hearing.

The Chair outlined the procedure to be followed.

Report of the Interim Deputy Chief Executive attached.

The Licensing Manager, Mr Chris Ward outlined the report of the Interim Deputy Chief Executive and explained the application was referred to members for a decision as the applicant was South Ribble Borough Council. Ordinarily the application would be determined by Officers as no relevant representations had been received however for transparency members were requested to determine the application.

The Licensing Manager explained that due to success the size of the community held events within the town centre had grown. Events such as “The Leyland Light Switch On” and “Taste of Leyland” require authorisation to play amplified music and sell alcohol. Previously, the Events Team had utilised Temporary Event Notices (TENS) however these were not considered good working practice by the licensing authority and police.

TENS only permits up to 499 people in one permitted area at any one time and the licensing authority are unable to attach any conditions to a TENS unless it relates to an existing premises licence. By issuing a formal premises licence responsible authorities would have more enforcement powers over the events.

The Licensing Manager referred to the conditions agreed between the applicant, police and licensing authority, and explained these would ease any concerns over the regulation of any event taking place. The conditions would only permit events up to six times a year with fourteen days’ notice of any event served to the police and licensing authority.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that no representations had been received from any responsible authority or member of the public and the application had been advertised as stipulated within the Licensing Act 2003 for the correct representation periods.

In response to a member enquiry, the Licensing Manager confirmed that the licence would permit for up to 6000 people but that members may choose to increase or decrease this number. The 499 capacity used under the TENS had previously been used for the stage area, the new licence would encompass the whole of Hough Lane.

Jess Clegg, on behalf of the applicant, explained that the application was submitted as an additional measure. Police and Licensing felt it was necessary to obtain a full premises licence due to the growth of events over the next few years. For each event permission had to be granted by Lancashire County Council (LCC) and landowners for road closures and this was always given.

A lot of stalls and traders attend Taste of Leyland and the Light Switch On and bars would continue to maintain individual TENS.

The Licensing Manager gave the following response to questions by the sub-committee:

-       Leyland Festival was run by the Leyland Town Team, they would need to apply for their own licence and TENS.

-       Prior to an event, the Events Team would need to apply for authorisation and the number of events would be capped at six per year.

-       SRBC would be the responsible person for the licence and if Leyland Town Team wanted to use the licence, they would need to obtain permission from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.