Agenda and minutes

The Chairperson welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Steve Dixon – Applicant
• PC Brian Swallow – Hampshire Constabulary (relevant person)

The Licensing Officer introduced the report which set out a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for a VIP hospitality marquee at the Motorcross event.  The application was contained as appendix 1 to the report, however no plans had been submitted to indicate the location of the marquee.  An objection had been received from PC Swallow on behalf of Hampshire Constabulary as contained as appendix 2 to the report.  The possible decisions available to the Sub-Committee were set out on page 7 of the report.

PC Swallow addressed the Sub-Committee and requested consent from all parties that additional information be considered in the form of a letter sent to Mr Dixon on 17 June 2021 from the Chair of the Safety Advisory Group.  Members of the Sub-Committee and Mr Dixon consented to the letter being considered and the meeting adjourned for ten minutes to allow its contents to be read.  The letter was subsequently published under the Sub-Committee meeting page on the Council’s website.

PC Swallow outlined the objections to the application as set out in appendix 2 of the report.

PC Swallow responded to questions from Members and confirmed there was a lack of information in the application or event management plan (EMP) regarding the exact size or proposed location of the marquee.  In addition, he had serious concerns regarding the lack of information regarding security arrangements. The EMP submitted also made no reference to the large structure collapse that occurred during the 2020 event and how a similar incident could be prevented.  He advised that there was a non-uniformed police licensing presence during the 2020 event.

PC Swallow responded to questions from Mr Dixon and advised that he was not aware of any arrests or cautions or incidents involving bar or security personnel or of underage drinking that had taken place at previous events.  He highlighted that, as detailed in the letter from the SAG chair, warning letters had been issued to Mr Dixon in 2012 and 2013.

Mr Dixon then addressed the Sub-Committee and emphasised that the entire site was very large and could accommodate over 200,000 people (although due to Covid restrictions the event was operating in 2021 at 2% capacity with a total attendance of 4,000).  The proposed VIP area was the same as in previous years since 2006 and would comprise a HERAS fenced off area 100m by 100m which could accommodate 2,000 people.  The reason for the TENs application was to avoid people having to walk further to the other bars licensed under the premises licences.

Mr Dixon stated that the structure that collapsed in 2020 was erected at every world championship event since 2011 and he was not responsible for it.  It was situated in a double fenced off area of the site which was not accessible by the public.  Following the 2020 incident, the organiser’s health and safety officers had reported a RIDDOR  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

The Chairperson welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Steve Dixon – Applicant
• PC Brian Swallow – Hampshire Constabulary (relevant person)

The Licensing Officer introduced the report which set out a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for a VIP camping area at the Motorcross event.  The application was contained as appendix 1 to the report but no plan of the area to be licensed had been submitted.  An objection had been received from PC Swallow on behalf of Hampshire Constabulary as contained as appendix 2 to the report.  The possible decisions available to the Sub-Committee were set out on page 51 of the report.

PC Swallow addressed the Sub-Committee and requested consent from all parties that additional information be considered in the form of a letter sent to Mr Dixon on 17 June 2021 from the Chair of the Safety Advisory Group.  Members of the Sub-Committee and Mr Dixon consented to the letter being considered and it was noted that its contents had been read by all under the previous item of business. The letter was subsequently published under the Sub-Committee meeting page on the Council’s website.

PC Swallow outlined the objections to the application as set out in appendix 2 of the report.

Mr Dixon then addressed the Sub-Committee and stated that he wished to withdraw this application as the VIP camping area was no longer needed.

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that the application for a Temporary Event Notice for VIP Camping area at the Motocross event was withdrawn by the applicant.

In response to questions from Members, PC Swallow confirmed that Bars 2 and 3 were already covered by the existing premises licences.

Mr Dixon then addressed the Sub-Committee and confirmed that he wished to withdraw this application as it was not required.  He apologised for the clerical error in submitting.

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that the application for a Temporary Event Notice for Bars 2 and 3 at the Motocross event was withdrawn by the applicant.