Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Officer read out the procedure.

There were none.

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other interest,  (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officeror a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

Councillor Manda Rigby declared an interest in the Bath Carnival item.  She had been involved in discussions on the periphery but not in relation to the licensing issues and could determine the application on merit and without prejudice.

There was none.

RESOLVED that the minutes of 28^th July and 5^th August 2014 be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairperson.

Applicant: Robbie Verrechia, Sydney Gardens, Sydney Place, Bathwick, Bath, BA2 6NF.

Other persons present: Richard Brown, Stephanie Brown, Cllr David Martin (ward councillor) and Lizzie Milne (Friends of Sydney Gardens).

Responsible authorities: Katherine Jones (Environmental Health Officer) and Alan Bartlett (Public Protection Team Leader).

The parties confirmed that they had read and understood the licensing procedure.

The Chair made introductions and explained that they would determine the application on its merits.  There were some issues referred to in the representations that were covered by separate process which would not be considered relevant to the licensing regime, though did operate in parallel – for example bye laws and designated public places order.  It was made clear to them however, that those issues would be forwarded to the relevant parties for consideration.

The Public Protection Officer summarised the application.  She referred to the additional documents which had been circulated to all parties.

The applicant, Mr Verrechia presented his case. He stated that this was an event for families and children providing a variety of activities throughout the day including making costumes, dance workshops, bands, a bar, leading up to the carnival procession which would start at 6pm.  He proposed the day would start at 10am until 10pm and would take place on one day per year, not two as in the original application. There would be three main areas – workshops, stage (bands) and children’s activities.

In response to questions Mr Verrechia made the following responses:-

·  He had changed the times from 9am -12 midnight to keep local people happy;

·  Sydney Gardens was a fantastic location and the procession would start there go around the city and return;

·  The recent event had 7 stewards with 5 SIA trained, he acknowledged he had made a mistake in the original application by stating there would be a minimum of 4 stewards.  He stated that he did not realise that stewards could also include SIA trained persons and had thought of them separately;

·  The bar was for the adults and he hoped families would attend the day and stay on for a drink and listen to the bands while their children did the activities;

·  He confirmed the music and bar would cease at 10pm;

·  Sydney Gardens did have a number of entrances and paths across the park, it would be controlled by stewards at each entrance with clickers to monitor the numbers and check for alcohol;

·  He was confident there was enough space for the event and the public using the park and the stewards would monitor this;

·  If numbers exceeded the capacity then people would be asked to move to another area.

Representations:

Lizzie Milne

Lizzie Milne stated her case as a local resident and secretary of the Friends of Sydney Gardens) and referred to the points in her statement.

Richard Brown

Richard Brown summarised his main points and stated that the performance of live music at the weekend would cause a noise nuisance more like Glastonbury and the gardens were unsuited to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.