Agenda item

To give consideration to an application for the grant of a new Premises Licence in respect of Percy Park Rugby Club, North Shields, NE30 2BE.

The Sub-committee met to consider an application for the grant of a new Premises Licence in respect of Percy Park Rugby Club playing fields, North Shields, NE30 2BE.

The Applicant, Coastella Events Limited sought permission for a three-day event to be held annually between 19 June and 19 July and to permit:

·       the supply of alcohol (on the premises) on the Friday between 18:00 and 22:30 hours and between 12:00 and 22:30 hours on the Saturday and Sunday;

·       the provision of Live and Recorded Music on the Friday between 18:00 and 22:30 hours and between 12:00 and 22:30 hours on the Saturday and Sunday; and

·       the premises to be open on the Friday between 18:00 and 22:30 hours and between 12:00 and 22:30 hours on the Saturday and Sunday.

Following introductions the Sub-committee’s legal advisor outlined the procedure to be followed at the meeting.

Mrs Vert, Licensing Officer, presented details of the application, the representations received and the options available to the Sub-committee.

Mrs Wilson, Senior Environmental Health Officer, set out details of the objection of the Environmental Health Department to the grant of the Licence.  She responded to questions from Members of the Sub-committee and the Legal Advisor.

Mr Peacock, on behalf of the applicant, addressed the Sub-committee in support of the application.  During the course of the hearing Mr Peacock offered to reduce the hours applied for in relation to the supply of alcohol and the provision of live and recorded music so that both finished at 22:00 hours on the Saturday and Sunday.

Each of the parties to the hearing were given the opportunity of summing up their respective cases and the Sub-committee retired to make its decision in private.

All parties were invited back into the meeting and the Chair announced the Sub-committee’s decision.

Resolved that the application for the grant of a premises licence in respect of Percy Park Rugby Club Playing Fields be granted subject to the following hours and the following conditions:

Hours:

Supply of alcohol (for consumption on the Premises)

            •           Friday from 18:00 hours to 22:30 hours;

            •           Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 hours to 22:00 hours.

            Performance of live music (outdoors)

            •           Friday from 18:00 hours to 22:30 hours;

            •           Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 hours to 22:00 hours

            Playing of recorded music (outdoors)

            •           Friday 18:00 hours to 22:30 hours

            •           Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 hours to 22:00 hours

            Hours the Premises are Open to the public

            •           Friday 18:00 hours to 22:30 hours

            •           Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 hours to 22:30 hours.

Conditions:

1.     The licence holder will give written notice to each Responsible Authority 6 calendar months before the commencement of any activity undertaken at the Premises under the terms of the premises licence. Such notice will specify the dates and times when such activities will take place and the nature of the activities that will be undertaken.

2.     All persons responsible for the sale of alcohol will receive training in relation to their duties and responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003 (or replacement legislation) including the use of a “Challenge 25 Policy” and generally on the Act before being permitted to sell alcohol at the Premises. Such training will be provided by the Designated Premises Supervisor.

3.     The Premises Licence Holder will ensure that at all times when the Premises are open to the public and there is licensable activity taking place that there will be a sufficient number of competent staff on duty at the Premises for the purposes of fulfilling the conditions of the premises licence and promoting the licensing objectives.

4.     All persons responsible for the sale of alcohol at the Premises will seek credible photographic proof of age evidence from any person who appears to be under 25 years of age and who is seeking to purchase or obtain alcohol.  Such credible evidence, which will include a photograph of the customer, will be a current passport, photographic driving licence, proof of age card carrying a ‘Pass’ logo and hologram or HM Forces Identity Card.

5.     A site-specific Event Safety Management Plan will be developed by the licence holder and shared with the Responsible Authorities and the North Tyneside Safety Advisory Group (or its successor) at least 28 days before any event is held at the Premises. The licence holder will abide by any advice or requirements given to it by the North Tyneside Safety Advisory Group.

6.     A thorough Risk Assessment, (including a Fire Risk Assessment) will be undertaken annually by the licence holder before any event takes place at the Premises under the terms of the premises licence.

7.     A Crowd Management Plan, Drugs Policy, Alcohol Management Plan and Bomb Threat Procedure will each be developed and produced annually by the licence holder and shared with all Responsible Authorities at least 28 days before any event held at the Premises. These documents will also be shared with its staff. These documents will be kept at the Premises throughout the duration of any event that takes place under the terms of the premises licence and will be made available for inspection by any authorised representative of a Responsible Authority.

8.     There will be a maximum capacity of 1,500 (including staff, artists, vendors, volunteers etc) permitted at the Premises whenever licensable activities are taking place at the Premises under the terms of the premises licence.

9.     The Licence holder will give written notice to all residential properties in West Dene Drive, Preston Avenue, St Leonards Court and Algernon Terrace that there is to be an event held at the Premises at least 28 days before the first day of the commencement of the event. The notice will include details of the timings of the event, the nature of the activities that will take place at the Premises and will provide the contact details of the licence holder so that if a resident has any cause for concern, complaint or requires further information, they will be able to make contact with a representative of the licence holder. The notice must also advise residents that the premises licence can be inspected by visiting the Licensing Authority’s website or by attending the Licensing Authority’s office.

10.  A record of any complaint received by the licence holder will be maintained and kept up to date and will be made available for inspection by a representative of any of the Responsible Authorities on such a request being received, as soon as possible.

11.  The noise control limits set at the residential properties in West Dene Drive, Preston Avenue, St Leonards Court and Algernon Terrace shall not exceed the background noise levels (LA90) at the nearest residential properties in those streets by more than 15 dB(A) or 65 dB measured over a 15 minute period at 1 metre from residential premises in those streets, throughout the duration of any event undertaken under the terms of the premises licence. Noise monitoring must be carried out within the Premises at a noise monitoring position agreed with the Environmental Health Department of North Tyneside Council and at locations in residential areas outside the Premises also agreed with the Environmental Health Department. Results of the noise monitoring carried out during the event must be provided in writing to the Environmental Department of North Tyneside Council within 7 days of that Department’s request for such results.

Reasons for the Decision:

·       The applicant has over 20 years experience in successfully managing events of the nature applied for and has engaged at an early stage with the Safety Advisory Group which includes the Local Authority and emergency services including the police and fire and rescue service to ensure that the event can be safely managed;

·       There have been no representations submitted by local residents in relation to the application;

·       A representation has been submitted on behalf of the Environmental Health Department in relation to potential noise disturbance from the event which could be experienced by local residents; 

·       There have been no representations submitted by any of the other Responsible Authorities which the Sub-committee took to mean that they did not have any concerns in relation to the application;

·       The Sub-committee considers that the concerns raised in relation to the Environmental Health Department representation would be met by the imposition of the conditions attached to the licence, in particular the need for noise monitoring and the imposition of noise limits at specified residential properties.