Agenda item

An Objection Notice for a Temporary Event Notice in respect of Blossoms Fold, Wolverhampton City Centre, WV1 1RE & North Street, Wolverhampton City Centre, WV1 1RE had been received from West Midlands Police.

The Chair led round-table introductions and outlined the procedure to be followed. All present parties confirmed that they understood the procedure.

Debra Craner, Section Leader – Licensing, provided an outline of the report. She advised the Sub-Committee that the applicant had submitted supporting information that had been made exempt under Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. West Midlands Police had submitted additional information that could be found in the Supplementary Agenda packs. The additional information had been made exempt Under Paragraph 7 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as it contained information relating to an individual.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question the report content.

After clarification was sought, Debra Craner, advised the Sub-Committee that the event had been applied for to take place on 12 April to 13 April 2020.

The Chair invited the applicant to present their application.

The applicant, Mr Johnny Jones, presented their application as per appendix 1. He advised that two similar events had taken place and that he had worked with West Midlands Police to rectify issues that had occurred at these events. A new Security Company, TLC Management, had been employed for a total of six weeks. 

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question the applicant in relation to its representation.

Under Paragraph 7 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the Press and Public were excluded from the meeting at 10:45am.

Mr Johnny Johnson, Johnathon Leon and Joe Harris, Event Management Company Representatives, responded to all questions asked.

The Chair invited West Midlands Police to present their Objection Notice.

Aimee Taylor, West Midlands Police, presented the grounds for the Objection Notice as per appendix 4. She advised that West Midlands Police were seeking an Objection Notice as they believed the Temporary Event Notice would undermine the Prevention of Crime and Disorder Licensing Objective.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question West Midlands Police in relation to its representation.

West Midlands Police responded to all questions asked. West Midlands police agreed to speak with their Chief Inspector regarding the premises paying for West Midlands Police to attend the event.

The Chair invited all parties present to make their final address.

Both parties presented a final summary.

All interested parties, with the exception of the Robert Marshall, Solicitor, Democratic Services Officer and Democratic Services Assistant, withdrew from the meeting to enable the Sub-Committee to determine the matter.

All interested parties were invited back to the meeting including the Press and Public. The Chair advised them of the decision of the Sub-Committee.

Under Paragraph 7 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the Press and Public were excluded from the meeting at 12:10 whilst the full decision notice be read out in full by the Solicitor as it contained information relating to action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime. 

Resolved:

Having had regard to the Objection Notice served in accordance with section 104 of the Licensing Act 2003, as amended, the Licensing Sub-Committee are satisfied that a counter-notice should be issued in accordance with Section 105(3) of the Licensing Act 2003 as it is not considered appropriate for the promotion of the prevention of Crime and Disorder licensing objective.

The reasons for this decision were read out in full by the Solicitor and all interested parties were advised that a copy of the decision notice would be circulated.