Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To determine any other items of business which the Chair decides should be considered as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

There was no declarations of interest.

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The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and declared that the Sub-Committee was sitting to consider an application for a premises licence in respect of The 100 Acres, Cowles Drove, Hockwold Cum Wilton.

The Sub-Committee, Borough Council officers and the Legal Advisor were introduced and their roles explained.

All parties were introduced and confirmed that fifteen minutes would be sufficient to present their case. 

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At the request of the Chair, the Legal Advisor outlined the procedure which would be followed at the Hearing.

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At the request of the Chair, the Licensing Officer presented her report to the Sub-Committee as included in the Agenda.

She referred to the additional information which had been circulated to interested parties in advance of the meeting which included the Decision Notice from a previous Hearing relating to the site.

The Licensing Officer responded to questions from all parties and clarified that the application was for licensable activity to take place for five consecutive days during each September.  No further applications would be required for future years, should the application be granted.  The Licensing Officer reminded those present that Responsible Authorities and Interested Parties had the power to call in an application for review which would result in a further Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing being held.  Reference was also made to the site and it was explained that should the site need extending in the future, it would be subject to another application.

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At the request of the Chair the applicant, Rachel White, presented her case explaining that the intention was to hold a festival for five consecutive days each September.  There was no intention to hold other events.

She felt that last years event was successful in terms of promoting the licensing objectives and there were no major issues and was surprised by the Norfolk Constabulary representation.  Additional conditions which could be attached to the licence had been discussed and agreed with Norfolk Constabulary for future events. 

Rachel White addressed the concerns made by Norfolk Constabulary relating to the medical use of cannabis, how this would be managed in the future, and the incident relating to a DJ who had been recorded on social media as ‘pulling on a spliff’ on stage and the offsite arrest.  Information on the uses of hydroponics was also provided. Rachel White indicated that she was willing to work with Norfolk Constabulary to mitigate concerns, similarly to last year.

Rachel White referred to the representations made by Interested Parties and explained that they were similar concerns to those raised last year, however the Sub-Committee were minded to grant the application last year, so they must have been satisfied that the applicant had addressed concerns.  She referred to positive resident feedback and a positive comment on the event which had been published in the EDP.

It was acknowledged that the Sedge Fen area had not been considered last year, but since then work had been carried out with the Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Team on conditions to mitigate concerns, for example speaker orientation and wind direction.

The applicant responded to questions from all parties relating to the maximum number of attendees, sales forecasts and the potential to grow the event in the future.  It was acknowledged that there were issues with staffing last year because of Covid and conditions could be imposed on the licence to increase the number and efficiency of searches upon entry.

Rachel White responded to questions from Interested Parties relating to an ambulance being called, to which Rachel White commented that she was unaware of this incident, the images that were being used for marketing purposes and noise limits for personal music in the campsite.

Chris Brooks referred to the police representation and information was provided on accredited security staff, marshals and provisions suggested for future events.  It was explained that this could be conditioned, or could form part of the Event Management Plan.

Rachel White responded to questions from Members of the Sub Committee relating to the use of cannabis and how artists would be made aware that illegal activity, or the promotion of illegal activity on the site would not be tolerated.  It was also clarified that food and drink vendors would be required to replenish their supplies at certain times so as to not clash with day visitors entering or exiting the site.  Information on food safety checks was also provided.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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At the invitation of the Chair, Chris Brooks from Norfolk Constabulary presented his case and provided detail of the Norfolk Constabulary representation.  Norfolk Constabulary objected to the application, but should the application be granted they would like additional conditions, which had been agreed with the applicant, to be attached to the licence.  These conditions related to drug amnesty bins, security staff and signage.

Chris Brook responded to questions from all parties and provided information on security staff and searches and police presence at the event.

a)     Mrs Randall – Hockwold Parish Council

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The Parish Councils objection was presented to the Sub-Committee and Mrs Randall explained that they were similar to the issues raised last year and related to traffic concerns, damage to Cowles Drove which was a public right of way, noise nuisance and position of the stage.

Rachel White explained that one of the conditions of the application was to ensure Cowles Drove was in a manageable state prior to the event and any damage was repaired after the event.

b)     Mrs Williams

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Mrs Williams presented her case explaining that marshalling was a problem last year, with not enough marshals and that they finished at 10pm.  Any future events needed to be properly resourced.  She reported litter on her paddocks and that there was an ambulance called to outside her house as it could not access Cowles Drove.

c)     Mrs Pountney

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Mrs Pountney presented her case and commented that she was pleased to see that some of the comments residents had raised last year had been addressed.  She raised concerns relating to Health and Safety, marshalling at the event, lighting along Cowles Drove, the suitability of Cowles Drove and the impact the event had on livestock in the area.

d)     Mr Pountney

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Mr Pountney referred to Public Health, the Human Rights Act and protection to Council Tax Payers.  He commented that Interested Parties only received the Event Management Plan the day before the Hearing, so had no time to properly study it.  He also referred to the timing of the lodging of the application, the ambulance which had been called to the previous event and how he was unable to contact event staff during last years event.

He commented that the site was surrounded by villages, a RSPB reserve and facilities for RAF Feltwell and how noise could travel throughout the Fen.

The Chair invited questions to the Interested Parties and Mrs Randall provided detail of the road traffic accidents in the area during last years event.  Mrs Williams also commented that her driveway was used constantly during the festival.

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The Licensing Officer summed up her case and reminded the Sub-Committee that they should consider all the information put forward at the Hearing today, along with the representations included in the Agenda.

The Applicant had nothing further to add.

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Chris Brooks commented that Norfolk Constabulary objected to this application, but should the Sub-Committee be minded to grant the application he would like the conditions put forward by Norfolk Constabulary to be attached to the licence.

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Rachel White commented that she had been liaising and working with the Responsible Authorities and would be willing to put in place any conditions put forward by Norfolk Constabulary.

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The Legal Advisor outlined outstanding matters and provided detail of the Legal Advice she would be providing to the Sub-Committee Members whilst they retired to make their decision.

In closing the meeting the Chair explained that the Panel would retire to make their decision in private, accompanied by the Democratic Services Officer for administrative purposes and the Legal Advisor for specific points of law and procedure.

After the Hearing the decision notice was circulated to all parties.