INDEX
1991
January - December Mrial Masts 470,534 klarm SystQg
Dispersed Alarm Systems 62,145 Allotments
Relocation of Lower Wyburns Farm 77 Allotment Competition 1991 353,477 Whitehouse Chase Allotment Site 536,629 Anglian Water Services Ltd
Sewerage Embargo - Restriction on Development 23,437 Paying for Water - Consultation 58 Progress Report and Future Attendance 178 Major Projects 179 Sewerage - South Fambridge 250 Hosepipe Ban 266 Sewerage Embargo - Restriction on Development 437 Flooding 528 Misociation of District Councils
Motions for Debate at ACM 19,35,110,284 Oil Refineries Sub-Committee 251 Nominations 279(B) Co-Opt Places to Committees 297 The Hestletine Review - Enhancing the Standing of Local Government 414 Register of Members Pecuniary Interest 415
Mid it
Investigation into Office Procedures 27 Audit of Accounts 1989/90 105(i) commission Report on Contract Supervision 190(D),204
1' I !I!II I I British Rail British Rail Liaison 416
Budqet
1991/92 Budget Strategy 1992/93 282,332,351,376,404,451,555,561,618, 654 Priority Budgeting 404,555,618 1992/93 — contracts 630,660 1992/93 — Leisure Services Committee 639 1992/93 - Development Services Committee 641 1992/93 - Health & Housing Committee 642 1993/94 654 Standard Spending Assessment 73,192 Capital Programme
1991/92 11 Social Services, Capital Expenditure Plan 1992/97 494 Caravan Sites
Variation of Site Licence - Brandy Hole Club 146 Breaches of Site Licence Conditions 149,212,344,394,493 Spacing of Caravans - Progress Report 344,498 Caravan Site Greenacres, Park Gardens, Hawkwell 581
Car Parking Abandoned Vehicles 55 Study - Great Wakering 99(i) Residential Standards 104(i) Brook Close, Rochford and Hardwick Close, Rayleigh 183(i) Town Map — Websters Way Car Park 76 Websters Way, Rayleigh 267(i),300,466,478 Alexandra Road, Great Wakering 318 Policy Monitoring 283,452,478 Hockley Woods Car Park Improvements 357 Rochford Day Centre 378 Parking, Homeregal House, Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh 401
Chairman' s Announcements
Mozart Concert - Clements Hall 33 Councillor Gibson 128,210 Annual Dinner - Rayleigh Air Training Corps 128 RODS Production at Mill Hall 128 Snow Clearance Work 128 Mrs M Fulcher - 102nd Birthday 210 Mr L Chapman 210 Highlights of Appointment 326 Emergency Spectacular 422 Visit to Haltern 476 Terrace Party at Mill Hall 476 Rochford 10 Mile Road Race 476 Essex Games 476 Minesweeper Mixe 566 CIRCA Leisure Scholarship Scheme 566 Mayors Charity Ball 633 Fair Havens Hospice 633 charges
1991/92 — Change in VAT rate 198 Charges for Planning Advice 114,377 Public Entertainment Licensing 489 1992/93 — Health & Housing Committee 643 1992/93 — Leisure Services Committee 640 Charity Hall Bookings 16
cont/d Childrens Haven Appeal
Childrens Hospice for the Eastern Region 495,570 Childrens Play Areas
Land North of Brays Lane 169,317 Fyfield Path Play Area, Rayleigh 354 Play Space, Hockley Woods 424,506 Use of Play Equipment by Able & Disabled Children 479 The Citizens Charter 463 Committee Structure
Alexandra Road Gt. Wakering Panel 3 Rochford District & Hawkwell Parish Joint Panel of Members 82,129,418 Rochford Hospital - Proposed Redevelopment: Consultation Panel of Members 99(u) ,129 Evironmental Protection Consultative Panel 137 Visits by Committees 292,490 Community Charge
Use of Bailiffs — Public Question 25,32,105 (a) ,558 Cost of Collection -- Motion for ADC 19,35,110 Recovery Procedures 105 (a) Standard Multipliers 1991/92 106 Setting the Level 1991/92 125, 126,186 Calculation of Standard Spending Assessment 192 Write-Offs 17, 193,449 Reduction of 140 per head 197 Standard Multipliers 92/93 656 Rayleigh Residents 654 Compulsory Purchase
Land at Websters Way 11
Conferences
Conferenc Weeks Excluded from Cycle 18 ADC - Motions for Debate 19,35,284 Seminar on Chairing Meetings 412 ADC - Annual Conference 458 Consultations from Neichbourinquthorities
Warners Park, Sumpters Way, Southend on Sea 124 Annwood Lodge, A127 Rayleigh 160 Francis Sports Ground, Eastern Aye, Southend 161 Eastwood Old Road, Daws Heath, Hadleigh 208 Rebels, Rebels Lane, Southend 220 Land North of Bournes Green Chase, Southend 241 Lower Wyburns Farm & Land East of Claydons Lane md. Est. (South Al27), Rayleigh 373 Castle Point Local Plan - Consultation Draft 456 cont/d District & County Liaison 413,459,619 Consulation from Essex County Council on Application CC/SOS/32/91 for proposed gipsy site at Eastwoodbury Lane, Eastwood, Southend 604 Southend on Sea Borough Local Plan - Deposit Draft consultation 389
Consultation Documents Consultation Paper 'A New Tax for Local Government' 285 The Structure of Local Government in England 286 Protection of Hedgerows - Government Proposals 443 The Health of the Nation 48
Contracts
No.1553: Lower Wyburns Farm, Daws Heath Road 26 No.1552: Internal Decorations Pembroke House, Rochford 69 No.1554: Schedule of Rates 118,563 Standing Approved List of Contractors 142 No.1556: cyclical Repairs — Wakering Area 1 151(i) No.1557: cyclical Repairs — Wakering Area 2 151(u) No.1558: cyclical Repairs - Goodman & Bell House lsl(iii) No.1560: window Cleaning - AP Dwellings 151(iv) No.1563: UPVC Window Replacement — 1991/92 151(v) Supervisory Arrangements 190(D) ,204 No.1559: Cyclical Repairs & External Painting 259 Extension of Leisure Contract - Catering Provision 302 No.1574: Re—Roofing & Associated Works 342 No.1576: Domestic Boiler Replacement 343 No.1616: Provision of Banking Services 281,467,478,564,631 No.1621: Conversion of Bed Sitting Room to one bedroom flats at Goodmans, Gt. Wakering (Phase 1) 503 No. 1620: Hullbridge Foreshore Design & Supervision consultancy 537,591 Review of Leisure Contract 119,517,519 Extension of Leisure Contract - catering Provision 302
Corporate elan The Physical Environment - Corporate Priority Cl 51 Final Effluent Monitoring — Corporate Priority D8 136 Local Management of Schools - corporate Priority P1 190(C) Preparation for Review 190(D) Review of the corporate Plan 411
Council Tax 659
Council lors l.A. Gibson 2,211,398 D.C. Wood 176,214 New Scheme of Members' Allowances 194 Identity Cards 200 A.J. Harvey 214
cont/d
I! Tributes to Retiring Members 214 Nominations for Royal Garden Party 131 Election of Chairman of the Council 223 Appointment of Vice-Chairman 224 Appointment of Chairman Policy & Resources 225 Appointment of Chairmans Chaplain 226 Appointment of Standing Committees 230 Appointment of Chairman & Vice-Chairman of Committees and Panels of Committees 231 Appointment of Representatives to outside Bodies 233 Appointment of Member Special Representatives 234 Membership of Panels 289 The Review of Parliamentary Constituences 288 Training - Use of Videos 559
Council Property and Premises
Cedar Centre - Purchase of Lease 117,129,195 Provision of Facilities for Nursery Mothers 247,278,571 Rayleigh Grange Community Association — Proposed Alterations to Centre 381
Crime Prevention 298 cycle of Meetings 1991/92
18,35 Deemed Plannincj Consents
Hambro Hill 3,24 Entrance Works at Lower Wyburns Farm 75,267 Town Plan for Rayleigh 76,267 Land at Doggets Close, Rochford 196,419 Installation of lift, Goodmans, Gt. Wakering 246 Extinguishment of Highway Rights at Doggets Close, Rochford 590 Contract No. 1620 - Hulibridge Foreshore Design & Supervision Consultancy 591
Delegation of Authority
Finance & Development Directorates 20(i) Prosecuting Officers 20(u) Civilian Fine Enforcement Officers 20(iii) Transfer from Chief Executive & Director of Finance 112 Chief Housing Manager 145 Attendance at Parish Council Meetings 550,621(u) Chief Environmental Health Officer 403,621(i)
Dogs Dog Fouling 265 Control of Stray Dogs 337,572 Breeding of Dogs Act 1991 488 Education
Local Management of schools 190(c) Development of Environmental Education 359,401 Appointments to School Governing Bodies 417
Emergpncy Planning Gulf Crisis 37
Employment Employment Initiatives 294,461,620 En forcements
Enforcement Criminalisation of planning control 97 Planning Enforcement Performance Monitor 311,548 Planning Enforcement Procedures 554(10) ,601 Planning Agreements 237(10),600
Environmental Health Environmental Protection Act 1990 - Implementation and Delegations 53 Survey of Rats and Mice 55 Food Safety Act 1990 - contraventions 70,129,257,334 delegations 135 Environmental Charter 25,482 Pest Control Service for Insect Infestations 258 Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1970 - Prosecutions 346 Registers of Potentially Contaminated Land 410 Annual Report 1990/91 486 The Prohibition on Use of Peat 512 The Environment Agency Consultation Paper 573 Environmental Protection Act 1990
Litter and Street Cleansing 53,137,212,336 Environmental Grant Fund 138 Odour Nuisance from Mushroom Growing Farm 67 Noise Nuisance 499
Ernie Adcoclc Trophy
Presentation to Rochford Athletics Team 34
I I Flooding Anglian Water Services Ltd 528
Footpaths
Proposed Diversion of Footpath 25, Rochford 322 Proposed Diversion of Footpath 14 (Part) Rochford 383,530(1) Proposed Diversion of Footpaths 3,5,31 530,595 33 & 34 Barling Magna Proposed Diversion of Part of Footpath 45, Rochford 322,622
H I i Grants and Loans
Grant Aid to Outside Bodies l3,1071l29,190(B),279(A) Charity Hall Bookings 16 Improvement and Intermediate Grants Breach of Conditions 628,637
Grounds Maintenance
Review of Tender specifications 29,80 Revision of Contract 113,129,203
I I II I Health and Safety
Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1970 - prosecutions 346 Register of Potentially Contaminated Land 410 Provision of Facilities for Nursing Mothers 247,278,571
Hjqiways
County Highways Matters 88,129,523 Church Road, Rawreth - width restriction 92 Transport Policies and Programmes (TPP18) 180 Closure of Market Square, Rochford for Charity Fair 190 Closure of Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh for May Day Fair 199 Al27/Al29 Rayleigh Weir Improvements 89,248 Essex County Council Highway Service Review 324 Proposed Temporary Closure of Eldon Way, Hockley 384 Star Lane, Great Wakering 391 South East Essex Traffic Study 289,423,440,525,589 Station Crescent/Upway,Rayleigh 524 Proposed Waiting Restrictions Closure of Spa Road, Hockley 529 Unmade Road - Broadlands Road, Hockley 273 Horse Riding
Youngsters at Risk 187 Trails 654
Housing
Rents 1991/92 12,35 Designated AP Dwellings - Decoration 60 Keeping of Pets in Hostels 61 Lettings to Single Elderly People 62,145 New Central Heating Installations 143 Investigation into Flat Conversion and Transfer Incentive Scheme 71 Housing Act 1988, Supplementary Credit Approval - Cash Incentive Scheme 245,501 Upgrading of Sheltered Housing Bedsitters 111,246 'Reporting of Repairs' Booklet 338 The Children Act 1989 339 Post HW3 (Residential) - Grested House 345 Housing Strategy - Housing for Elderly Owner/Occupiers 491 Annual Programme of Pre-Painting Repairs 492 Decoration of Council Dwellings Mrs X and Mr Y 502 Smoke Alarms 578 Tenant Participation - The Next Steps 579 Tenants Improvements - Reimbursement Scheme 580 Homelessness Code of Guidance for local authorities 582 Improvement & Intermediate Grants — Breach of Conditions 628,637 Proposed Residential Development - St. Clare Meadowl96,392,419, 590,623
cont/d Housing Investment Programme (HIPS) 1992/93 409
Housinqenef its
Overpayiuents — Write—Offs 17,193
III II Ii Land Disposal of Surplus Land — Church Road & London Road, Rawreth 93 157 Main Road, Hawkwell 93 1 Willow Walk, Canewdon 93 r/o 54 and 56 Hatfield Road 93 Land at Beckney Wood, Hockley, Essex 182 Land at Hullbridge Foreshore 45,380,453 Star Lane, Great Wakering 391 Offer of Land at Beckney Avenue, Hockley 532 Land Adj to 21 London Hill, Rayleigh 536 Register of Unused & Under-Used Land 379 Leisure — General Ernie Adcock Trophy 34 Indoor Sports Licences 79 Provision of Skateboarding Facilities 83(i) ,167,264,355,514 Action Sport 83(i) ,166 Review of Special Events 83(u) ,173 Clements Hall Cafeteria Refurbishment 168, 189 Clay Pigeon Shooting 174,508 Francis Sports Ground 161 Extended Adult Swimming - elements Hall 262 Arts Events 1991/92 263 Cycling 274,321 Arts Provision 356,515 District Council/Sports Council Liaison Arrangements 361 Liaison Meeting with Eastern Council for Sport and Recreation 362 Rochford Sports Club 408 Use of Play Equipment by able and disabled children 479 Rochford Reservoir - storage building for miniature railway 511 Proposed extension to Rochford Bowling Club Recreation Ground, Stambridge 526 Rochford Reservoir — Management of Waters 531 Licences and Leases
SEETEC - Surrender of Lease 116 Rayleigh Grange Community Association - Proposed Alterations to Centre 381 118 High Street, Ct Wakering - Grant of a New Lease 592 Litter
Abandoned Vehicles 55,158 Consultative Panel 137 Wheeled Bin Extensions 253 Litter at Rochehall 485 Litter Initiative 625(i) Local Government
The Heseltine Review - Enhancing the Standing of Local Government 414 Consultation Paper 'A New Tax for Local Government' 285 Government Structure, Functions,Finance & Management 287 cont/d Review of the Structure of Local Government in England 420 Local Government Review: The Internal Management Structure of Local Government Authorities in England 454 Local Government Boundary Commission Parish Review 455
Local Government Act 1982
Section 37 - Temporary Markets - Powers 57,129
Local Government and Housing Act 1989
Borrowing Policy 1991/92 109
Local Government Planning & Land Act 1980
Register of Unused and Under—Used Land 379 Ngtnagement Structure
Review 190(D)
Mtnaaement Team
Investigation into Office Procedures 27 Investigation into Flat conversion and Transfer Incentive Schezue 71
Markets
Temporary - Powers 57,129 Minerals Sulyject Plan 320,385,594 Municipal Journal
Article 10(A) (3)
''I Dl'' 111111 National Health Service
Dental Services 130, 134
National Non-Domestic Ratg
Charitable Rate Relief 15,108,280,407 Consultation Panel 72 Write-Of fs 17,193,449 Recovery Procedures 406 Mandatory & Discretionary Rate Relief 556, 626, 657
National Rivers Authority
Sea Defences - Pour 64, 229 Sewerage Treatment - Final Effluent Monitoring 136 Sewerage - South Fambridge 333 Flooding 528 Noise
Review Working Party 54 Control of Noise from Motor Cycles 249 Control of Noise Pollution 335 Noise Nuisance 499
Notice of Motion
Bus Service to Lower Hockley 36 Waste Disposal l30(i),184 Dental Services 130(u) ,134 Shared ATM Facilities for British Gas 213,259,295,450,560 Play Space, Hockley Woods 424,506 Standard Planning Conditions 328 Attendance at Meetings by Essex Police 479(i) Use of Play Equipment by Both Able & Disabled Children 479(11) Nuisance
Odour from Mushroom Growing Farm 67 Noise Nuisance 499
I I 1 II II ii 1 Open Space Development Programme
Hambro Hill 24,368 Relocation of Allotments - Lower Wyburns 77 Land at Little Wheatleys, Rayleigh 78,170,189,212,372,509 Spencers Nurseries 82,129,418 Glencroft Nursery, Hawkwell 171 Enhancement Scheme - Fairview Playing Field 172
Opposition Priority Business Emergency Planning Gulf Crisis 37
Outside Bodies SEETEC - Revised Lease 116 Cedar Centre - Purchase of freehold 117,129,195 Appointment of Representatives to Outside Bodies and Organisations 233,279(B),557 Possible Merger of Provincial Employers Organisations 624
I; I Panel Minutes
Personnel Sub—Committee l0(A),l0(F),35,39,190(C),2l2,403(A), 448(D) ,554(A) Twinning Sub—Committee 10(B) ,190(A) ,448(A) ,448(G) Benefits Appeal Panel 10(C) Group Leaders Panel 10(D),105(B),190(E),279(B),403(C),448(E), 478,554 (B) ,617(C) NNDR Consultation Panel 10(E),72 Performance Review Panel 105(A) ,198(B) ,212,279(A) ,403(B), 448(F) ,554(C) Emergency Panel 105(C) ,279(C) ,448(B) ,617(A) Alexandra Road Panel 3(ParalS) ,155(D) ,439 Waste Disposal Working Party 42,101,l29,184,387(ii),527(B) Rochford District & Hawkwell Parish 82,129,617(B) District Plan Working Party lOO,104,183,390,394,527(C),598 Membership of Panels 289 Doggetts Panel 370 Horse Riding Working Party 387(i),527(A) Little Wheatleys Panel 439 Appeals Panel 448(C) Hackney Carriage Panel 527(D) Whitehouse Chase Panel of Members 617(D),629,638 Parish Matters Rochford Hundred Association of Parish Councils 290,363,386,418 Site Visits — Involvement of Parish Councils 291 Parish Liaison Meeting 431 Local Government Boundary Commission - Parish Review 455 Performance Indicators
Housing 59,144,340 Performance Indicators 496,576 Performance Indicators — Leisure Services 516 Planning Development Control
Development Control Statistics - Planning Applications 219,369 545 Post Offices
Station Road, Rayleigh 22,87 Prosecution
Stubble Burning 500
Public Conveniences
Improvements to the Service 66,585 King Georges Playing Field Pavilion, Rayleigh 352 Vandal Proof Fittings 654 Public Open Saces
Hambro Hill 3 Land North of Brays Lane 169,317 Rawreth Hall Wood 183(2) Sweyne Park Lake 301 King Georges Playing Field Pavilion, Rayleigh 352 Use of Sweyne Park for Horse and Dog Show 364,401 Request for Grazing permission - Little Wheatleys Open Space, Rayleigh 464 Land adjacent to public car park, Websters Way 465 Fyfield Path Play Area — Site Visit 354,507 Sweyne Park — Proposed Maintenance Programme 510 Use of School Playing Ground/Playing Field 513 The Rayleigh Town Centre Public Open Space Compulsory Purchase Order 1991 535
Public Entertainment Licensing
Academy Leisure UK - Event at Fairlawns Farm 434,444,489
Public Question Time at Council Meetings
On Use of Baliffs 25,32,558
Public Transport
Bus Service to Lower Hockley 35 Bus Service Provision in Rural Areas 90,129,588(1) Public Transport Plan PTP14 - Consultation 180 Bus Service - Southend to Great Wakering 319(i) Bus Service Canvey Island to Rochford Hospital 319 (ii) Bus Services — Services 10 and 12 588 (ii) Recycling Recycling - Progress Reports 254,483,583 Supplementary Credits 140 Notices of Motion 110,141 Christmas Trees 147,255,574 Bottle and Can Banks 150 Recycling of Waste 388
Refuse Collection
Review of Tender specification 29,52 Revision of Contract 113,129,203 Quality Survey 139,484 Wheeled Bins 253,654
Roach Valley Conservation Zone
Minutes 185 Sewers
Sewerage - South Fambridge 333 Sewerage Embargo - Restriction on Development 23,437
South East Essex Traffic Study l8O,272,289,3l5,423,440,525,589,635(ii) Southend Health Authority
Joint Planning 21 Rochford Hospital - Consultation on Redevelopment 99(ii),129 Applications to ton MHS Trusts Southend Community Care Services 33l(i),395 Essex Ambulance Services 331(11) Social Services - Capital Expenditure 1992/97 494 Staff Mr.A.G. Cooke 6 Appointment of Chief Executive (Designate) 10(F) (2) 1991 Appraisal Process 18 Mr. R. Godfrey 153 Reward Scheme 190(C),2ll Miss K. White 235 Essex Chief Off icers Groups 244 Mr. 3. Rood 347 Mr. P. McKenna 349 Miss C. Mills 435 The Chief Housing Manager 575 Mrs R. Friend 651
Standing Orders Amendments 112
Stopping Up Orders
Alexandra Road, Princess Road, Betjeman Close, Rayleigh 181
Street Cleansing
Review of Tender Specification 29,52 Snow Clearance 84 Revision of Contract 113,129,203
Street Lighting Unparished and Unadopted Streets 91,129
cont/d
I II I Street Naming and Numbering r/o 218 Thorpe Road, Uawkwell - Gusted Dell 94,323 (ii) Off High Road, Rayleigh 323(i) Development off Doggetts Close, RochforcI 323 (iii) Development at Little Wheatleys Farm 382
Subscript ions
1991/92 14,35 ADC 191 Teach-Ins and Seminars
Members 'Teach—In' Planning Function 314,457 Seminar on Chairing Meetings 412
Tender Specifications Review of Street Cleansing Refuse Collection and Grounds Maintenance 29,52
Terms of Reference
Health and Housing Services Committees 293
Tourism Town Plan for Rayleigh 76
Town and Country Planning - Contraventions
178 Eastwood Road, Rayleigh 4 4167 Lower Lambricks, Rayleigh 43 11 The Westerings, Rayleigh 44 Foreshore Lane Opp Creekyiew, The Esplanade, Hullbridge 45 Land adj Warren, r/o New House Farm, Poynters Lane, Wakering 46 1 Morris Close, Great Wakering 47 Simla Restaurant, 301 Ferry Road, Hullbridge 48(i) Olicana, Magnolia Road, Hawkwell 48(u) Unauthorised Advertisements in the Countryside 95 Enforcement - Criminalisation of Planning Controls 97 Land at Rayleigh Spur - junction Al27/A130 122 The Boxers, The Chase, Ashingdon, Essex 123 La Mare, Wadham Park Avenue, Hockley 158 Barling Hall Wharf, Darling Hall Creek, Barling 159 Walfords Farm, Hullbridge Road, Rayleigh 206 (ii) Baltic Wharf, Wallasea Island, Rochford 206(i) Lower Barn Farm, London Road, Rayleigh 239,308 Land as Transport Depot,Rawreth Industrial Estate 240 Lower Wyburns Farm, Daws Heath 77,267(u) CM/0681/90/ROC Mineral Extraction, Waste landfilling and Restoration Works, East Creeksea Ferry Road, Canewdon 304 The Retreat, St. Johns Drive, Rayleigh 305 Land Opposite The Retreat, St. Johns Drive, Rayleigh 306 The Caravan, Ethel Road, Rayleigh 307 Breach of Advertisement Control 61-65 Eastwood Road 309,609 Breach of Advertisement Control Eastwood Road 367 Perrys Depot, Hambro Hill, Rayleigh 368 Lubbards Lodge Farm, Hullbridge Road, Rayleigh 397,401,612 Site Adjacent 51 Highams Road, Hockley 429 25 Kings Rd Rayleigh 607 Use of Land Unit 12, Rawreth md Est 217(14),605,608 1 Goldsmith Drive, Rayleigh 611 32 Hullbridge Road, Rayleigh 549 Fairfields, Lower Road, Hullbridge 544 corit/ci Town and Country Planning
Vision Statements for the Town Centres 96 Charges for Advice 114 Aerial Photographs 625(u) Advance Notice of Planning Applications 372 Planning Controls Over Sites of Special Scientific Interest 238 Perrys Depot, Hambro Hill, Rayleigh 368 Siting of Portable Storage Shed, Cobbletrees, White Hart Lane, Hawkwell 646
Trees
Review of Preservation Policies and Legislation 98
Twinning
Visit of German Minesweepers 360,401 Budget Savings 654
' I 1 Ii' I LI' III!IIIIIIIiIi!i Unejp I oynjent Unemployment & Economic Recession in the S.E. Peninsula 460
Unfit Houses
'Ii Nido' Ulverston Road, Ashingdon 68
I I II I I Vehicles, Plant and Equipment
Replacement of Photocopying & Printing Equipment 28 Replacement of Building Maintenance Computer System 202 VFM Studies
Overview of the Planning and Building Control 10(A) (2) Functions
I I I iI[JI 'iii I Waste Disposal
Notice of Motion l30(i),141 Encouragement of Recycling 184
Woodland
Review of Woodlands and Amenities Units 81 Beckney Wood, Hockley 182 Rustic Crafts and Sales Area 358,402 Bulb Planting 560
Write Of fs
Sundry Debtor Accounts 17,193,405 Housing Benefit Overpayment Write—Off s 405(a),449 ROCHFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL MINUTES
1991
August ROCHFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL
Minutes of the Health & Hou@ngervices Committee
At a Special Meting held on 28th August 1921 Presen: Councillors D.F. Flack. Mrs. A.R. Hutchings, R,A. Pearson, J H Roden, Mrs. K.E. Smith and Mrs. M,W. Stevenson.
Apologies Councillors M.C. Brown, Mrs. J.A. Christie and Mrs. E, Marlow
432 PRELIMINARY BUSINESS
Prior to the commencement of the formal hearing it was
Resolved (1) that pursuant to Standing Order 23 Councillor D,F. Flack be appointed to preside over the Meeting in the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee.
(2) that the procedures set out in draft and circulated to the • applicant and all parties who had made a submission be adopted for the hearing.
433 INTRODUCTORY ARRANGEMENTS,
At the outset of the hearing the Chairman advised those present of the foregoing decisions. The Committee noted that they had delegated authority to hear and determine any opposed application for a Public Entertainments Licence, the particulars of all those wishing to appear to give evidence and the purpose of the hearing. A number of letters of objection and petitions had been received since the heating had been called and copies were made available to the applicants and the Police The Chairman ascertained from the pplicants that they had received copies of the Agenda and the procedure and advised those present that it was proposed to adjourn the hearing at 11.30 a.m and 3 00 p.m. for ten minutes and at 1,00 p m for forty-five minutes.
434. APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENTS LICENCE BY ACADEMY LEISURE (U.K.) LIMITED FOR EVENT AT FAIRLAWNS FARM. Al30 CIIEU(SFOR]) ROAD. RAYLEIGH FR04 8.00 P.M. ON SATURDAY 7Th SEPTEMBER TO 8.00 A.M. ON SUNDAY 8Th SEPTEMBER . 1991 The Chairman invited Mr. D. Lee. the Managing Director of Academy Leisure (U.K ) Limited and his representative, Mr D Freeman-Wright of D.F.W. Leisure Limited to outline the application
In response Hr. Freeman-Wright said they had only had two working days notice of the hearing which was insufficient to enable them to consider and respond adequately to the views expressed by the consultees and members of the public. He said Mr. Lee had been in the music and entertainment business for 15 years, had organised many events both indoor and outdoor including the London Arena and undertook work on behalf of Local Authorities. In the past unlicensed events had caused problems Many Authorities now took the view that the way to prevent a recurrence was to encourage responsible promotion and exercise control by means of the licensing system. Academy Leisure had adopted a responsible approach in applying for a Public Entertainments Licence and in providing a comprehensive list of actions which they would take to control the event in a safe manner Furthermore they were confident of satisfying all of the cqncerns which had been expressed and wçre preparod to co-qperat'e fully with the consultees in adopting whatever additional measures were
1 001013 Health & Housing Services regarded as necessary Finally Mr. Freeman-Wright submitted samples of promotional literature to show the prevalence of licensed raves together with photographs of a monthly event in Newham with which he said Academy Leisure were associated and which did not give rise to problems.
The applicants were then cross-examined by Mr. .1 Butcher who was representing the Police authority, in the course of which it was established:-
(i) that the application for a licence had been submitted on 18th July although it was noted that Academy Leisure (U.K.) Limited had not been incorporated until 18th August 1991 with two £1 shares.
(ii) that not having received any objection after a period of 28 days Academy Leisure had proceeded to promote the event.
(iii) that it had been advertised throughout London and the Home Counties by means of handbills known as fliers.
(iv) that Academy Leisure had since applied for a further 26 events to be held at this venue in 1992 because they saw the best way forward as identifying suitable sites for regular raves on a relatively modest scale rather than massive one-off promotions.
(v) that they had not been associated with the event at Great Leighs which had envisaged a similar attendance of 5,000 people but where between two and three times that number had attended on the night.
(vi) I that 5,000 tickets had been printed for the Fairlawns Farm event and would be sold through record shops appointed as agents as set out on the reverse of the fliers, and that some 2,600 tickets had been sold to date of which over 60% were local sales
(vii) that whilst it was not anticipated that the number attending wOuld exceed 5,000 that could not be guaranteed and contingency plans would be put into effect in the event of greater numbers attending.
(viii) that this was the first occasion the appellants had needed to apply for a Public Entertainments Licence and that the process took longer than they had anticipated but they did not accept that it had been folly to advertise the event prior to the determination! of the application !
(ix) that the accompanying letter to an agreement prepared for ticket agents which referred to 700,000 advance tickets for a tour of seven events was speculative promotional material designed to inspire confidence in Aca4emy Leisure as a reliable and on-going organisation.
(x) that the reference on the fliers to 5,000 advance tickets plus more on the night was designed to encourage potential customers to purchase an advance ticket which would be cheaper than admission
on the gate !
(xi) that once the event had beer sold out the fact would be advertised?
I eitheron the night or preferably soOner 'if the application were grantcd because that would encourage further advance ticket sales Health & Housing Services
(xii) that the sound system would be loud and augmented by the music from fairground rides but that steps would be taken to control the noise emanating from the site
A video had been prepared by the Police showing an aerial view of the venue which was then displayed to those present and the main features were identified, namely the A130 to the west, the A127 slip road to the south, the embankment carrying the railway line to the north and the two electricity pylons within the field carrying the overhead cables crossing the site. Reference was made by the applicants to the fact that those pylons would be cordoned off by the Electricity Board and patrolled by stewards on the night. The opportunity was taken to check the proposed positioning of the marquee, search tent, toilets and fairground rides and to establish with the applicants that the last-named featurs would include dodgems, caterpillar and waltzer. I I
Turning to the car parking arrangements, Mr. Butcher ascertained from the applicants that the earlier proposal to use the evacuation area to the south for car parking also would not be pursued in the light of objections thereto. Arrangements had been made instead for an additional area of land to the north of the railway line to be leased for the purpose and for cars to be parked within that field first The areas now proposed for car parking and the access and egress arrangements were identified to the Panel by the applicant and it was noted that there would be one entrance and one exit to the northern field and one entrance to the south. Having parked in the northern field, those attending would then proceed on foot along the verge and under the railway bridge entering the site immediately to the south. That pedestrian route would be cordoned from the ALSO but it was acknowledged that it would cross the route of the emergency entrance to the fire path. The ajplicant f.trther advised how it would be' intended to prevent any unauthorised access via the steps up the embankment to the railway line, the dense undergrowth elsewhere being regarded as sufficient to prevent trespass.
The arrangements for admitting ticket holders and selling tickets on the night and for illuminating the car parks and pedestrian routes were then discussed with the applicant in the context of the risk of there being serious congestion at the entrances to the venue, noting that in correspondence Academy Leisure had referred to 3,500 vehicles. In response the applicant advised that provision had been made to park 2,000 vehicles as the number reckoned to be generated by an audience of 5,000 people, the area required having been calculated by reference to a supermarket car park layout. The event would in any case be regarded as! sold out once the car parks were full. Furthermore it would not be the intention to sell any more than 5,000 tickets and steps had been taken to combat forgery
The hearing then adjourned for lunch following which it vas ascertained by Mr Butcher that Mr. LeeLt s full! name was D'antel Lee! Cushway'.
The applicants responded to further questions from Mr. Butcher as follows: -
Fairground Rides
They would require to see safety certificates in respect of the machinery beforehand The operators would be repponsible for,the safety of the riders and those ib the proximi.ty of the rides They were not aware of any pro1lerns having arisen from the proviston of fairground rides at Great
! Leigs. I Health & Housing$eryices
Stewarding Arrangements
Stewards would be deployed on the night, some of whom were already in Academy Lisure's employ with previous training and experience and they would be augmented by staff from a professional security firm whose expertise would be overlaid by the particular requirements for the event as directed by Academy Leisure.
Control of Noise
There would be an experienced sound engineer within the marquee, who would be linked by radio to a number of people monitoring the noise from the nearest residential locations to ensure that the sound was kept at a level which did not cause a nuisance. the material of the t,ent, the alignment of the marquee and the positioning of the loudspeakers would ensure that the sound was contained within a relatively confined area. The railway and A127 embankments would further assist in providing a baffle against the sound. Furthermore it would appear from the Counciiis report that there was a high background noise level in the area which would help to mask noise from the event. Finally the reference on the fliers to the noise levels was aimed at those attending the event and reflected the responsible attitude adopted by Academy Leisure as promoters.
Notice of Public Hearing
The applicants reiterated that they had been disadvantaged because the short notice of the public hearing had prevented them from being legally represented or calling witnesses. Mr Butcher suggested that they had been aware from the outset that there was a likelihoo'd of a public hearing and had also been aware of the Police concern for some weeks. They maintained however that they had been given only two working days notice of the hearing and had not received specific details of those concerns until the previous Friday.
Other representatives present were then invited to asic questions of the applicants as follows:- I
Fire Authority
Mr M. Peek, the Fire Safety Officer, said hi,s authority had no objection in principle to the event subject to the promoters' ability to give satisfactory responses on certain aspects including the talcing o precaut±ons to ensure that no fires occurred beneath the pylons, the control of vehicles to ensure emergency access and the ability of the fire path to bear the weight of a 12½ ton fire tender in any weather. For those reasons they would wish to reserve their position and he therefore asked that if the Council were minded to grant the application the Licence should be conditioned accordingly- The applicants said that this would be acceptable to them The Chairman sought clarification from the applicants whether the access was adequate for an emergency vehicle and was assured that action could be taken to remove a gate and part of the hedge and to lay gravel across the verge for that purpose
ational Grid and Eastern Electricity
Mr A Fitzwalter, an Engineer with National Grid said his Company would 'be concerned at the' prospect of a hedge 'being dug up and emergency vehicle access being provided because that could have an adverse effect upon hallo,w-buried supply ca,bles running below ground across the field. , That IlniTAltil t I Health & Housing$eryices
concern was echoed by Mr Etheridge, the District Engineer from the Eastern Electricity Board1 who said that vehicles running across the cables could cause damage which would result in supply failute locally and be extremely expensive to repair
The applicants said they were willing to cordon off the cable route to ensure that traffic did not traverse it but they were not convinced that a risk existed bearing in mind that combine harvesters weighing some 30 tons could apparently be used without harm in the field and that considerable traffic was generated by the existing Sunday boot fair at Fairlawns Farm.
In response Mr.-' Etheridge said that combine harvesters were specially designed with load spreading traction, that he was not scare-mongering in raising the prospect of damage and t1'at the cables ran parallel to the road in a 9 metre strip east of the hedge and vehicles accessing the field from the road could not therefore avoid crossing them.
Further points raised by Mr Fitzwalter related to the single column lighting towers to be erected, the possible need to earth the fairground rides because of induction from the overhead cables, the need to prohibit balloons on the site including an advertising bliuip, to ensure the safety of fire fighters on the site and to be satisfied as to the position of the tent fixings. The representatives of both the National Grid and the Eastern Electricity Board therefore reserved their position and asked for any Licence granted to be conditioned accordingly and to enable them to inspect the site on the day
In the course of the foregoing it was clarified by the Chairman that the Committee were only determining the current application riot' the further 26 events of which notice had been given. The Chairman then invited questions from other interested parties which related to -
the widespread nature of the ticket sales
the problems caused over a wide area by a previous unlicensed event not far from the present venue
the lack of consideration for local residents in staging an event on a weekend night
the system by which advice could be given that the event was either sold out or had been
the system of ticket inspection
Arising from the last question it was clarified that'ic would be the intention to issue passes in the car park in exchange for tickets so as to avoid deth at, the main entrance. ft would be known beforehand 'how many advance tickets had been sold; the balance would enable the organisers to calculate when cars should be turned away If cars contained some people with tickets and others without after that deadline had passed they would not be admitted until the ticketless passengers had been put down away from the event.
Members of the Committee then asked questions relating to the evacuation procedure, the protection of off-site pylons, how long the security search 'zould take, dha resons hy a 'remote site was sesr as an advantage, he age range of the audience, tile method by which the maximum number
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' , ______Health & Housing Services I attending and their safety could be guaranteed, and the number of previous events of this nature run by the promoters The Chairman sought to clarify the security search procedure, it having been calculated that on the stated basis of two teams each taking 30 seconds per person a period of some 21 hours would elapse before all 5,000 people had been admitted The applicants said that the process was far quicker and experience showed that 1,000 people could be admitted in a 30-minute period.
Further questions from the Chairman elicited that it would be the intention for the pass to be completed and handed in so as to enable a mailing list to be produced, that the applicants recognised the need to avoid congestion by an efficient admission system, and that on the question of rising noise the loudspeakers were angled downwards to compensate for treble lift'
Finally Mr. Butcher ascertained that the extent of the north field available for car parking amounted to 2.84 acres. An additional area to which reference had been made by the applicants was intended for access only and a copy of the agreement covering it was produced for his inspection.
Mr. C. Woolhouse the Council's Environmental Health Services Manager was then invited to present his report and he said in view of the length of the hearing he would leave the details to be dealt with as necessary by questions and would instead concentrate upon particular points at issue as follows -
(i) this was a complex application which had required additional consultation, some of the response to which were of very recent origin. Nevertheless the Council had reacted as quickly as had been possible to the objections raised and had indicated to the applicants on the morning of 15th August that in the light of the opposed application a hearing was to be arranged
(ii) reference had been made to a period of 28 days but it had to be said that this was the minimum period of notice required and not the period by which the application should be determined. The former CLC had recommended that a period of 3 months be allowed for such applications and 4 months was the period in Covrnment guidelines on pop festivals
(iii) an initial meeting had been held with the applicants and certain other interested parties on 24th July, further smaller meetings taking place subsequently as necessary. The information that had been elicited was set out in Appendix 2 of the report, which also summarised the responses of the consultees and set out two particular issues of environmental health concern, namely noise and I special effects. I
(iv) the information supplied by the applicants did not include the anticipated noise levels from the venue The report detailed the ambient noise levels found in the nearby residential area during the hours of Saturday night/Sunday morning to assist the Panel in judging whether noise from the event could be controlled to avoid nuisance to residents and ensure the safety of participants
'(v) there were reservations' about 'using a 20 watt Cls 4 laser sithin an enclosed area I '!OIOiIIO1 B Health & Housing Services Mr. Peek made it clear at this point that the fire authority did not want side walls on the marquee unless they were supplied with an appropriate certificate of testing for flammability and then subject to there being satisfactory fire exit provision.
Noise
Mr. S. Neville, a Chief Assistant (Health) with Rochford District Council, advised the Committee that noise was measured in decibels on a logarithmic scale which ran from 0 to 140, examples of different levels being
30 dE - a library 60 dB - a conversation 120 dB - the threshold of pain 140 dB - a jet engine at a distance of 25 metres
The measurements of background noise levels in St John's Drive of between 33.5 and 44 dE during a weekend night thus reflected a low level of noise during that period.
As regards the noise level generated by the event climatic conditions could have a profound effect A temperature inversion could assist noise to travel which was a different problem from hot air rising from the dance floor. Despite what had been said a marquee would have little effect in masking the noise or channelling it away fron Rayleigh and it was optimistLc to predict that it would be absorbed by the ground since dependent on the conditions the ground surface could both reflect and conduct certain frequencies
Special Effect& II
Mr D. Brown a Divisional Environmental Health Officer with Rochford District Council said certain information regarding the laser show had yet to be provided to enable calculations to be made as to irradiance, in the absence of which it was not possible to judge whether the equipment could be used safely. He referred however to a Guidance Note PM19 issued by the Health & Safety Executive as advising extreme caution in the use of such high-powered lasers, the main hazard being direct viewing of the beam or its reflection. The more powerful the equipment the further the beam would travel or reflect without dispersal and it was that factor coupled with the exposure time which could cause a problem In an outdoor show the risk could be averted by directing the beam upwards, but in an enclosed space there could be a high risk to sight
For the Police Authority Chief Inspector L. Weavers said Essex Police had considerable experience of unlicensed events and more recently of the licensed event at Great Leighs, That had represented the beginning of the current transitional stage of promoters looking to legalise such events but, as had been saLd earlier, between 12,000 and 16,000 had attended the venue against an advance estimate of 57000. The Essex Showground comprised 160 acres of which 90 had been set aside for the show That capacity had enabled the excess attendance to be accommodated although extra Police had been drafted in to control the congestion on the approach roads.
flflAif\ : ______Healtk& Housing Services . It was clear that the event currently being considered had been widely advertised including notices on motorways appearing three weeks ago The Police had a number of concerns as to the suitability of the venue which had been summarised in his letters of 12th and 15th August The car parking arrangements proposed were considered to be inadequate, and experience showed that unless there was a safety margin for an unpredictable event of this nature there would be congestion with vehicles abandoned on the highway- verges. That already happened when the Sunday Boot Fair which was of a smaller scale was held on this site. Some 200 cars had been accommodated one Sunday in half of the area now proposed for vehicles and 700 people had been present, Photographs were displayed which had been taken on 4th August to show queueing, illegal parking and people crossing the Al30 dual carriageway on foot.- The situation would be worse at night, bearing in mind that the road was derestricted, unlit, and without central crash barriers or footpaths Furthermore the arrpngements proposed for the pedestrian walkway were not satisfactory
As regards the arrangements for access and egress they fell far short of draft standard conditions which for an event of this size would stipulate 22 access points each 1.6 metres wide Experience showed that attendance at events of this nature was totally unpredictable and that far greater numbers should be anticipated The burden of additional policing required was unwelcome and the cost involved could be of the order of £120,000.
A video was then shown which had been taken during the event at Great Leighs with particular reference to the waltzer and the proximity of the watching public to that moving fairground ride. Mr. Weavers said the Police recognised that there could be a case for granting an application for a rave provided that the 'risks could be minimized to guarantee the safety of the public, in their view however there were four insurmountable problems at the Fairlawns Farm venue which rendered the event unacceptable and gave rise to their opposition, namely - a) that the safety of persons attending or travelling past the site was at risk and that was overlaid by the unpredictability of the number who would I b) that the problem was compounded by the nature of the site and the inadequate car parking provision whereas a significant safety margin should be available c) that the poor access aqd egress could give rise! to rsevere I congestion on the A130 and adjacent roads and seriously affect the ability of the emergency services to respond if required bearing in mind that this was the main route to Canvey Island d) that there would be a high and expensive policing requirement which could only be met by draCting in officers from o'ttts'idë tHb 'area'.
Reference had been made to an illicit event that had be-en held nearby in August 1989 That had resulted in over 450 complaints from surrounding areas. If the Licence were to be granted and things went wrong the Police would again be called upon to act and in his view that would be the case.
I ,I. 001020 Health & Houaing Serviç
Chief Inspector Weavers replied to questions from the applicants as follows: he did not have any figures relating to offences at Great Leighs, the event having been quoted as an example of what had happened when a Licence had been granted and a Police presence had been provided
that the current applicants had shown a willingness to co—operate but that the four points mentioned earlier represented an insurmountable problem to an event at Fairlawns Farm
that the requirement for a Police presence arose in connection with other events such as football matches but they were more straight—forward and did not contain the same level of involvement as foreseen here
that the heavy cajl which the event would make on the Police Force was a legitimate problem because they had a basic task to perform and calls on their strength had to be weighed against other requirements in order to arrive at a balanced judgement of the greatest good
that adjacent landowners to Fairlawns Farm were not prepared to provide an evacuation area, that the site was inadequate and there was a high degree of risk involved In the event of problems arising and the site needing to be evacuated a situation of mass trespass could arise
that every site had different characteristics - admission could not be controlled at Great Leighs but it had been possible to accommodate excess numbers; at Fairlawns Farm there was no margin for error and the problem would be turning away those hopefuls who had been encouraged to attend and could not be admitted I
that a considerable strength of Police would be required to control the event, both within and outside the site and in the latter case the attendance would need to be of longer duration because of early arrivals ad time taken to disperse after the event
that there was stewarding at the Boot Fair but that since it was the subject of enforcement ptoceedings by the local auth6rity the Police could not supply Officers to assist
that it was accepted the Boot Fair was a smaller event but the traffic chaos which it generated illustrated the problems inherent at this location,
I Chief Inspector Weavers was asked by Mr. Wastell how the bill for policing such events was met and he advised the Committee that the cost was met from the Police funds which were subscribed by central and local government In response to questions from the Committee he said normal policing Ihad tibe seabed down when Police were requisitioned for an event of this nature, that he assumed there would not be a Boot Sale on 8th September and that to date both licensed and unlicensed events had placed great demands on the Police
Sergeant J. Megesson then advised the hearing that he had investigated the car parking requirement by reference to the space available, that was 3.8 acres to the south of the railway line and 2,84 acres to the north, having regard to the applicants' reference to parkiytg 'for 3,500 cars, lie had paid regard to County Iltghways and DoT'guidelides, to the Weald
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I i I' thOiO2j Health & Housing Service,
Country Park and the Essex Showground. On marked bays a density of 166 cars per acre was recommended Great Leighs could accommodate between 2,500 and 3,000 cars within 12 acres His estimate for Fairlawns Farm was between 200 and 250 cars to the acre which produced a capacity of between 1,300 and 1,700 cars and indicated a significant shortfall. The applicants said they could extend the car parking availability or restrict ticket sales to 4,000 at this stage if required.
Police Constable D.C. Dutton then gave evidence regarding an unlicensed event at Ockenden in October 1989 when a large number of those attending had crossed the 1425 to gain access, which it was feared could happen on the main roads adjacent to Fairlawns Farm where traffic similarly passed at high speed,
Detective Constable M Bloxham said his task in connection with the illegal August 1989 event had been to correlate all of the complaints received onto a plan of the area, a copy of which he displayed to the hearing and which showed noise nuisance over a radius of 3½ to 4 miles from the event. The applicants said it could not be argued that there would be a similar level of noise nuisance and the Chairman accepted that without knowing the sound output it was not possible to draw any conclusion relative to the planned event.
Mr. J. Beddow, the Senior Environmental Health Officer at Castle Point District Council said he had taken readings at the illegal event on 12th August 1989 of the sound levels involved, examples being that at 2.00 a.m. the reading at approximately 1km, distance had been 53 dB and at 250m it had been 80dB which had been totally unacceptable The low- frequency! sound was clearly audible in Leigh-on-Sea, 4 mileis distance, at 3.00 a m.
The applicants suggested it would have been preferable to licence the event and exercise control through conditions but Mr. Beddow said he thought it would be difficult to avoid nuisance to nearby residents given the nature of such events and that the problem increased after midnight when background noise levels dropped, In response to a question from the Chairman, it was confirmed that the wind direction on the night in que's'tion had been from the west
Appearing as a witness for the Police, Councillor S A. Skinner the Ward Member for Grange and Rawreth said since the announcement of the intention to hold a rave at Fairlawns Farm he had received numerous telephone calls and had visited residents at the' LittLe Wheatleys Esta'td which comprised some 500 dwellings and of Louis Drive where there were 200 houses, all within a mile of the site. The majority were opposed to the event because the level of disturbance on the previous unlicensed 'occasion had been totally unacceptable He was prepared to believe that endeavours would be made to keep the noise at a lower level this t4me but could not envisage that there would not be any disturbance. For the record it was established by the Chairman that Councillor Skinner was a Member of Rochford District Council but that he had not canvassed any of the Committee to support his views
Mrs. R.H Davis also gave evidence for the Police that she lived less than half a mile from the site and that she and her neighbours objected strongly to the event She had organised a petition which had been signed by 8 of the 70! residents in the roS4 In response to questions from the applicants she said the earlier event had been an horrific experience, health & Rousing Services that she and her neighbours had chosen to live in a quiet area and that an event in that location was bound to cause disturbance to them. She agreed that the petitioners had not been fully aware of all the proposals but they had signed on the basis of an article in the local press from which it was apparent that the event was a business venture.
On being invited to sum up Mr Butcher said the issues were clear. The Police recognised that social trends were changing and were prepared to adopt a constructive approach subject to two primary concerns being satisfied, namely public safety and risk of nuisance. It had to be recognised that the applicants were endeavouring to operate within the law but the fact that they had gone ahead prior to the determination of their application reflected unfavourably on them. They might be viewed in a better light had they waited for the outcome. Refusal to grant the Licence might not prevent people from turning up but in the view of the Police that was the right course to take because of the safety and noise factors which would otherwise be involved. The site could not cater for more than 5,000 and there would be chaos if as was likely a greater number attended The situation that had arisen at Ockenden showed what could happen when people were determined to gain entry to a venue, Parking capacity was limited and there was only one entrance to the main car park. The proposed pedestrian route therefrom was near a main railway line and ran parallel with the unlit A130 Arterial Road under the railway bridge There would be a risk present from those factors. High tensicn electricity cables crossed the site both above it supported by two large pylons and below ground. Fairground rides presented hazards as had been illustrated. Unlike Great Leighs the site did not have any margin for safety. There would be considerable pressure on the car park which would give rise to congestion. I The purpose of this event was no different from the earlier illegal event in the same vicinity, namely to provide loud music. It was an unreasonable location for that purpose and would cause intrusion in the immediate vicinity and beyond The Police view was that although Academy Leisure (U.K ) Limited had made a bona fide application to operate within the law the choice of venue had to be opposed The Committee were responsible for the decision but the Police had, a responsibility to protect safety' and avoid nuisance.
The representatives of the Fire Authority and the National Grid reiterated the need for their concerns to be satisfied prior to the event taking place. The representatives of Basildon and Castle Point District Councils asked the Conimittee,to take npte of their concern at the effect of the noise on their adjacent residents, Mr. Wastell aid had more people been aware in advance of what was proposed there would have been more objections than had been lodged. Local residents did not want the event and they should not be forced to suffer it.
Councii.lot l4iss B.C. J L,ove'tt sMd she was the 'Warg Ketmber fo Wh'eatley and she had received many protests from local residents many of whom commuted to London and valued their weekends. They were also concerned at the prospect of a further 26 events in 1992 should the application be granted. There was a problem that the site could be accessed on foot from Rayleigh which could encourage some of those attending to seek to park further afield and make their way on foot Security would also be at rLsk elsewhere by the additional strain placed on Police resources. Health & Housing Services
The applicants said the attitudes displayed were confusing by comparison with Newham where an event ran successfully and there was no reason to suppose this would be different, They had made a proper application and did not see it as unusual for arrangements to proceed pending approval, the Pavarotti concert i Hyde Park being cited as an example. It was apparent that there were shortcomings in the procedure for dealing with such applications but that would not prevent them from coming forward in the future. They had identified a suitable site, responded to the points raised and indicated their preparedness to assist towards the cost of the Police operation. This was a relatively small event and should be encouraged to end illegal promotions.
The fact that they had been unable to obtain any advice whether a more suitable site existed compromised the objections that bad been raised. They maintained that they had been given insufficient time to prepare for the hearing. Much had been made of the nuisance to residents but they would cater for local youngsters. They hoped the Committee would view the application favourably and give them a chance to promote a legal event.
Finally Mr Butcher suggested that if the Committee were minded to approve the application despite the reservations expressed they should agree it in principle and adjourn to enable the necessary conditions to be negotiated with the applicants.
The hearing was then adjourned and the Committee withdrew to review all of the submissions and decide the matter.
The Committee having carefully considered all of the evidence which had been presented were unanimously of the opinion that the application for a Public Entertainment Licence by Academy Leisure (U.K.) Limited for an event at Feirlawns Farm, Al30 Chelmsford Road, Rayleigh from 8.00 p.m. on Saturday, 7th September to 8.00 a in. on Sunday, 8th September 1991 should be refused on te following grounds:-
(i) that the restricted parking and the uncertainty as to the number attending would give rise to unacceptable highway and public order risks
(ii) that the inadequacy of the access and egress points amplified the risk
(iti) that the combination of hazards presented potential dangers to the public and convinced the Committee that this was a totally unsuitable venue for a large-scale event of this nature
(iv) that the security measures outlined by the applicant were insufficient to ensure the safety of the public
(v) that whilst acknowledging the applicants' genuine wish to keep the sound levels within acceptable limits they had failed to satisfy the Committee that adequate measures could be taken to control noise nuisance and given the location of the site and the nature of the event the Committee believed that it would inevitably give rise to unacceptable disturbance to local residents
Resolved (1) that the 'application be determined accordingly and a Licence,, 'be not granted for this event '
'I I flIjIj'IQI4 (2) that a Press Relase be to thac effect fCQOfl\fUj?Q/flt'/fl\\ I