Meeting of the Licensing Board
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MEETING OF THE LICENSING BOARD held 27th May, 2008 PRESENT: Councillors Clive Skelton (Chair), David Barker, Janet Bragg and Jack Clarkson. ………………………………… 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE No apologies for absence were received. 2. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR In the absence of the Chair Councillor Clive Skelton at the start of the meeting, Councillor Jack Clarkson occupied the Chair for the Millhouses Park hearing. 3. LICENSING ACT 2003 Millhouses Park, Adjacent to Abbeydale Road South, Sheffield The Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Governance, submitted a report to consider an application for the grant of a premises licence made under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of Millhouses Park, adjacent to Abbeydale Road South, Sheffield. Present at the meeting were Eric Dronfield, Kate Eccles and Robert Jackson, Objectors, Chris Heeley and Howard Simpson, Parks and Countryside Service, John Derricott, Licensing Solicitor and Claire Bower, Licensing Officer. Claire Bower presented the report to the Board. Ms Bower stated that representations from local residents were detailed in appendices “B” to the report. John Derricott referred to the petition, which had been detailed in the report and indicated that signatures on the petition would only be accepted from residents within the immediate vicinity of the Park. Chris Heeley reported that Parks and Countryside had amended the original application in order to reduce the licensable times for Millhouses Park from 0800 hours until 2200 hours to 1000 hours to 1900 hours, and to be applicable for no more than 12 days for any one calendar year. Robert Jackson, Objector, addressed the Board and outlined the basis of his objection. Mr Jackson stated that he was speaking on behalf of local residents and as president of the Millhouses Park Bowling Club. Mr Jackson stated that the first time he became aware of the application was when the notices in respect of the application were displayed in the Park. He added that he was concerned at the proposed size of the event. Mr Jackson commented that at a meeting held on 25th April, 2008 with Howard Simpson and Councillor Sylvia Dunkley, residents suggested that Parks and Countryside used Graves Park for Meeting of the Licensing Board held 27.05.2008 Page 2 the event proposed for Millhouses Park known as the ‘Cliffhanger’. Mr Jackson explained that he had collected 256 signatures from people who objected to the event. He added that the event was currently advertised on the Council’s website prior to the application being granted and stated that approximately 10,000 visitors were expected at the event each day. With regard to consultation, Mr Jackson commented that he had contacted South Yorkshire Police to establish whether they were aware of the Cliffhanger event and was informed by an Inspector at Meersbrook station that South Yorkshire Police were not aware of the Cliffhanger event. The Inspector had reported that Sharrow and Dore Green Festivals were also being held on 12th July 2008 when the Cliffhanger event was scheduled to take place, adding that all Police leave was cancelled for this period. Mr Jackson commented that the Bowling Club also had two league matches scheduled over the same weekend and expressed his concerns with regard to parking facilities for the visiting teams. In conclusion, Mr Jackson stated that the Bowling Club supported the Cliffhanger event, but requested that the event be held in a better location. Eric Dronfield, Objector, addressed the Board and outlined his objection to the application. Mr Dronfield stated that he represented residents of Ranulf Court. He explained that residents were concerned at the possibility of loud music disseminating from the Park, the sale of alcohol, traffic congestion and residents’ parking. Kate Eccles, Objector, addressed the Board and outlined her objection. Ms Eccles stated that she was a resident living in the immediate vicinity of the Park and was concerned at the proposed increase in traffic and parking issues associated with the event. She added that a number of houses in the area did not have driveways and residents relied on street parking. Ms Eccles explained that lots of children in the area attended Saturday Clubs and school at parents would be frequently using their cars at the risk of not being able to park on their return. Ms Eccles also commented on the litter that would be left in the Park after the event and expressed her concern with regard to broken bottles littering the river, adding that children often paddled in the river during the Summer months. John Derricott reported that the application had been served on both South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service but added that the application was not specific to any particular event and was for a premises licence for the Park and not the Cliffhanger event. Members enquired as to what other events had taken place in the Park and, in response, Robert Jackson stated that over the past 70 years a number of events had taken place in the Park, which as far as he was aware caused no significant problems. Eric Dronfield explained that residents objected solely to the Meeting of the Licensing Board held 27.05.2008 Page 3 playing of loud music and the sale of alcohol at the Cliffhanger event. Members asked residents if they were aware that if the premises licence was not granted then the Millhouses Festival would also not be permitted. John Derricott reported that Members could impose a condition on the licence, which would stipulate the number of visitors who could attend any event held in Millhouses Park. Chris Heeley, Parks and Countryside Service addressed the Board and thanked residents for their support of the event. He stated that the application did not request the sale of alcohol to be included in the application, adding that if alcohol were to be sold at a particular event then a separate application would be submitted to the Licensing office. Mr Heeley stated that the Cliffhanger event was a family event, which he hoped would be held in Millhouses Park and prove to be very successful. In response to concerns as to why the Cliffhanger event was not being held in Graves Park, Mr Heeley commented that Millhouses Park benefited from being the only flat park in the City, housed a skateboard park and had accessible water to accommodate some of the proposed activities to be held at the event. He added that Graves Park accommodated events every month, therefore the Parks and Countryside Service felt it a reasonable request to share events with Millhouses Park during the summer months. With regard to the event being advertised on the Council’s website prior to the event, Mr Heeley stated that this was common practice and explained that the information would be removed from the website if the application was not granted. In answer to concerns regarding consultation, Mr Heeley indicated that consultation commenced with the Friends of Millhouses Park during December 2007, but added that he accepted the comments raised regarding wider consultation with regard to future events. Mr Heeley explained that not all of Millhouses Park would be closed to members of the public during the Cliffhanger event, with the cricket pitch and bowling green remaining open to members of the public. Mr Heeley stated that the Parks and Countryside Service had spoken to Police Constable Ray Oakley, South Yorkshire Police, who had informed his Chief Constable about the Cliffhanger event to be held on 12th and 13th July, 2008. Mr Heeley reported that PC Oakley was an events specialist who was familiar with this type of event and he explained that Parks and Countryside Services staff would be managing the event and were customary to this type of event. Mr Heeley commented that he was not surprised that the local police were not aware of the Cliffhanger event, as a police presence was not required. In conclusion, Mr Heeley reported that approximately 10,000 visitors were expected at the event, which he explained was a family event and once visitors had paid the entrance fee, the majority of activities were free. Mr Heeley anticipated that approximately 3,000 visitors would be at the event at any one time. John Derricott enquired as to what type of activities would be held at the Cliffhanger event and, in response, Mr Heeley indicated that Meeting of the Licensing Board held 27.05.2008 Page 4 activities included British Bouldering Championships, climbing wall, snowzone demonstrations, skatepark competition, kayaking demonstrations, scuba pools, iron smelting and bush craft, free running demonstrations, orienteering and white knuckle rides. He indicated that the event was targeted as a family fun day out. John Derricott advised the Board that very few of the events detailed were licensable events and clarified that the British Bouldering Championships was the only licensable event. With regards to parking and traffic congestion, Howard Simpson commented that additional on-street parking would be available. In addition, a free shuttle bus from Tescos on Abbeydale Road would be available and would be advertised on all publicity material. A shuttle bus would also operate from the train station at Dore. Additional advertising would be placed on South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive buses and the Council’s website would promote bus and train travel to the event. Mr Heeley reported that the Parks and Countryside Service intended to supply parking passes for those residents living in the immediate vicinity of the Park. In answer to questions regarding the beer festival which was advertised on the publicity information for the Cliffhanger event, Mr Heeley stated that the beer festival was not definitely going ahead and indicated that a separate licence was required if alcohol was to be served at the Cliffhanger event.