Agenda, decisions and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

 

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

 

The Lawyer advising the Committee presented the Statutory Licensing Sub Committee Procedure, for information.

 

The Associate Lawyer outlined the procedure to be adopted by the Sub Committee in considering the application.

 

The Licensing Officer reported on the application for a new premises licence in respect of Weobley Castle, Llanrhidian, Swansea, SA3 1HB, received by the Authority on 21 April, 2023.

 

She referred to the licensing objectives, policy considerations, guidance from the Home Office and action following consideration of the relevant person’s objections.  Specific reference was made to the application for a premises licence at Appendix A and A1, a copy of the existing licensed area and proposed addition plan was attached at Appendix A2, a copy of the existing premises licence was attached at Appendix B, a copy of the existing plan was attached at Appendix B1, a copy of the location plan was attached at Appendix C and the representation made by the Other Person at Appendix D.

 

One representation had been received from Other Persons.  A copy of the representation was attached at Appendix D.  The representation related to the prevention of public nuisance.

 

In the absence of the Other Person, the Licensing Officer read the representation and the addendum to the representation which had been circulated to the Committee.

 

The Chair welcomed Ms Guise-Ellis (representing the Applicant) who detailed the nature of the three different events held at Weobley Castle. 

 

The Folk Festival was held on second week in June and was deemed to be  very tame.  Although the event was expanding, the event attracted an older generation who do not drink to get drunk.

 

The Beer Festival had been ongoing for years, initially via the former Greyhound Pub and latterly Weobley Castle.  The event attracted local youngsters and provided an opportunity for them to enjoy music, a drink and camp with their friends in a safe environment.

 

Ms Guise-Ellis referred to the third event, Jopo, which was attracting a wider audience from around Wales who were interested in VW vans/cars. Again, the event was family orientated.

She stated that from a business perspective it would be easier to keep a marquee up and hold the event on two consecutive weekends. However, the impact would be unfair on locals. 

 

The aim was to provide safe events in a beautiful environment, employing as many local people and local traders (food vendors) as possible to bring money into the community. 

The Associate Lawyer shared the map/plans and Ms Guise-Ellis detailed the distance between the event location and the local residents property.  She stated that the event would be surrounded by trees which would act as a buffer for any noise.  It was accepted that the event was some distance from local residences.

 

In response to Member questions, Ms Guise-Ellis stated that:

 

·       The events last twelve hours but the level of music is calm. 

·       The venue uses re-useable plastic, no glass or cans.

·       There is no ‘bottling out’ as the re-useable plastic vessels are bagged and taken back to the brewery.  However, the Applicant would agree to movement of drinking vessels to be conditioned.

·       There would be no issue regarding a condition being included in respect of the Safety Advisory Group for events over 500.

·       The DPS would be Mr Mabbett.

·       There was no change to the hours of operation.

 

The Operational Lead, Licensing, referred to an anomaly in the times the licence authorises the carrying out of licensable activities which would be amended to midday to midnight.

 

In conclusion, Ms Guise-Ellis stated that the purpose of the Application was to enable events to the local community and families in a safe, positive environment whilst working with the local residents. 

 

It was resolved that the press and public be excluded from the hearing in accordance with paragraph 14 of the Licensing Act (Hearings) Regulations 2005, to enable the Sub-Committee to take legal advice.

 

The Chair thanked the participants for their attendance and advised that a decision would be provided within 5 working days.

 

(Closed Session)

 

Members discussed the issues relating to the application.

 

(Open Session)

 

The Chair indicated that the Sub-Committee’s decision would be published within five working days of the Committee and would take account of the application and representation made and the needs and interests of all parties in terms of the Council’s Statements of Licensing Policy, statutory guidance and the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

 

The Sub-Committee Resolved to Grant the application subject to the conditions consistent with the operating schedule and as modified as considered appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives as below:

 

Live Music

Friday - Saturday 1200 - 0000  Sunday 1200 – 2200

 

Recorded Music  

Friday 1200 - 000   Saturday 1100 - 0000   Sunday 1100 – 2200

 

Performance of Dance  

Friday & Sat 1200 - 0000  Sunday 1200 – 2200

 

Late Night Refreshment

Friday & Sat 2300 – 0000

 

Supply of Alcohol

Friday & Saturday - 1200 - 0000  

Sunday 1200 - 2200

 

1.       No glass containers are allowed on site. All drinks must be in plastic bottles/glasses.

 

2.       Signs will be prominently displayed at the entrance to the premises, within the toilet facilities and at strategic points within public access areas. Signs to state; 'Drug use is unacceptable; including the use of new psychoactive substances (legal highs) and that the venue operates a drug search policy as a condition of entry reserving the right to search customers under the provision and refuse entry if any substances found'.

 

3.       A personal licence holder will be on duty at the premises at all times the premises is authorised to sell alcohol.

 

4.       SIA door staff to be employed when regulated entertainment is provided at a ratio of 1 supervisor per 100 customers.

 

5.       The entry/exit points will be staffed at all times by a minimum of two SIA licensed personnel.

 

6.       A register of door supervisors (Safer Swansea Partnership Register or like detailed bound numerical register) to be maintained at all times at the premises. Such register to include the name, registration number, contact details of the member of door staff along with the date, time on duty and time off duty. Full details of the agency supplying the staff to be endorsed and the register to be available for inspection on request by an Authorised Officer.

 

7.       There will be a number counting system in operation at each entrance with all locations reporting to a Chief Steward or the event safety officer. The numbers from each entry point will be forwarded each 20 minutes in order that the Chief Steward or event safety officer can monitor the overall capacity. A record, whether paper or electronic will be maintained for these capacities and made available on request of Authorised Officers.

 

8.       An incident book (Safer Swansea Partnership Incident Book or like bound numerical register) to be maintained at all times to record any incidents of note.

 

9.       The Premises Licence Holder will ensure that all recommendations from the Safety Advisory Group are implemented in full prior to the start of the event and that they are complied with for the duration of the event.

 

10.   Rubbish disposal points to be placed throughout the site including regular sweeps from the litter team.

 

11.   At the conclusion of each day the Designated Premises Supervisor or a named representative shall be responsible for ensuring the site is clear of litter and debris from the event.

 

12.   No rubbish, including bottles, shall be moved, removed, or placed in outside areas between 2100 hours and 0800 hours.

 

13.   Any traffic management plan as required by the Safety Advisory Group, must be submitted to the Police at least 14 days before the event takes place.

 

14.   Ensure that all live and amplified sound (including television and music systems) within the premises is reduced to and maintained at a level which makes it imperceptible at the monitoring points identified on the attached map.

 

15.   Substantial food and non-intoxicating beverages shall be available in all parts of the premises where alcohol is sold or supplied for consumption on the premises.

 

16.   A Challenge 21 proof of age scheme shall be operated at the premises where the only acceptable forms of identification shall bear their photograph, date of birth and a holographic mark.

 

17.   A log shall be kept detailing all refused sales of alcohol. The log should include the date and time of the refused sale and the name of the member of staff who refused the sale. The log shall be available for inspection at the premises by the police or an authorised officer of the Council at all times whilst the premises are open.

 

18.    Premises to keep up to date records, in written or electronic format, available for inspection of staff training in respect of age related sales.

 

19.   Notices shall be clearly displayed in the premises to emphasis to customers the prohibition on providing sales of alcohol to persons under the age of eighteen years.

 

20.   The Premises Licence is restricted to 3, 3 day events per year.

 

21.   The  Safety Advisory Group shall be notified with at least three months’ notice for all events likely to attract more than 500 people.

 

Reason for decision:   

 

The Committee noted that no relevant representations were received from the Responsible Authorities.

 

The Committee noted the local residents representation within the bundle of documents and their addendum representation provide in the week of the Committee. It was noted that the representations referred to noise and disturbance from events and that events could be on consecutive weekends, therefore Members took extra care in considering all the representations and comments in line with the objectives.

 

The Committee noted the Applicant’s comments and the Applicant’s supporting information provided prior to the Committee.

 

The Committee noted that the Applicants representative acknowledged the local residence representations and concerns by providing answers in rebuttal and/or mitigation relevant to the licensing objectives.

 

The Applicants representative confirmed the location of the licensed area on the plan, the topography of the land and that sound equipment will be situated so that noise is directed towards the castle and away from the residents of Landimore. Additionally the representative was open regarding the sites proposed usage, the type of events and that the three events per year would be spread out rather than on consecutive weekends.

 

The Applicants representative was receptive to modifications of their application and welcomed modifications if it was felt that those modifications would promote the licensing objectives.

 

Therefore, the members felt that with the mitigation offered and with the modification of.12 & .21 of the conditions was sufficient and significant enough to elevate the local resident representations regarding the effect a grant of licence would have on the licensing objectives.