The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing regarding a Temporary Event Notice (TEN).

The Hearing Panel considered the written papers, oral representations of all parties as well as the relevant legislation.

The Temporary Event Notice had received objections from Licensing Out of Hours (LOOH) and Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

GMP addressed the Hearing Panel and gave their representations against the TEN, stating that the premises were looking to hold an outdoor talent event on the August Bank Holiday weekend. GMP stated that the event had been advertised as free on social media and therefore it could not be known how large a crowd would turn up to attend. GMP informed the Hearing Panel that there was music planned for the event and market stalls. It was of concern to GMP that these would lead to raised voices, dancing and mingling which contravened the Coronavirus regulations. GMP also felt that the potential for a larger crowd than could be managed by the organisers was of concern and that the event would affect the local community with noise, disturbance, car parking issues and would undermine the Licensing Objectives in terms of Public Safety, Nuisance and Crime and Disorder.

LOOH addressed the Hearing Panel and stated that they were in agreement with GMPs representations and added that there was no mention of crowd management or how the organisers planned to handle drunkenness in the TEN.

The applicants addressed the Hearing Panel and gave their statements to support the TEN by stating that they had created “bubbles” with the seating arrangements, hand sanitiser would be provided, a site plan had been drawn up in accordance with Government Coronavirus guidelines, Track & Trace would be in effect, strict cleaning routines would be implemented and PPE would be worn by all staff/volunteers. The applicants informed the Hearing Panel that they had printed and distributed 100 leaflets in the immediate area and that this would not draw any patrons from other areas. The applicants also stated that they had communicated with GMP, PCSOs and Local Ward Councillors ahead of the event.

LOOH stated that GMP would be unable to support the event due to it being held on the Bank Holiday weekend and that their presence was required in other areas.

During the summary process GMP stated that some new documentation had been received and requested that this be considered. The Council Legal Services officer stated that the applicants could refuse this due to the late submission and the applicants confirmed that they refused this late submission.

In their deliberations the Hearing Panel considered that the seating plan was not adequate in supporting the potential number which would lead to attendees mingling and drinking vertically. The Hearing Panel also felt that the modest amount of leafleting of the event in the local area was negated by the use of social media to advertise the event and had concerns about the number of people who may wish to attend. This was highly likely, the Hearing Panel felt, to lead to a flashpoint of people unable to enter the event and agreed with GMP and LOOH on the likelihood of the Licensing Objections being undermined.

Decision

To serve a Counter Notice.