Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors E Prescott, Rice, Newton and Dobbie.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business.  (Late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear.  New items will be dealt with at item 8 below).

No items of urgent business were received.

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the Authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member’s judgement of the public interest.

No declarations of interest were received.

To consider receiving deputations and/or petitions in accordance with Standing Order 37, part E8

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 14 March 2006 (to follow).

               RESOLVED

               That the Committee approve the Minutes of the Licensing Committee of 14 March 2006.

Finsbury Park, N4 (Stroud Green ward): To consider an application for a Premises License to provide a licensable activity in the form of Regulated Entertainment for in excess of 500 people.

The Chair agreed to receive some late documents and plans from the applicant which sought to address previous concerns raised by the responsible authorities.   The meeting was adjourned for 20 minutes so that  the officers had time to consider the late information.

The meeting reconvened at 7.30pm and the Chair ran through the order of proceedings and introduced those present.

In answer to questions from members, the applicant explained that there would be no fireworks at this event and 3,000 tickets had been printed; to date 1,000 had been sold but there would be some sales at the door.  He explained that this was not a political event and stressed it’s cultural significance to the Kurdish people.  There would be no bonfire and fireworks and he felt this represented a large sacrifice in the interests of public safety.  He also felt he was acting in the public interest by holding one large organised event rather than the possibility of many private events which could pose a fire risk.  Only cold food would be served, no alcoholic beverages and no glass; an adequate number of toilets would be provided and attendees had been advised not to bring cars.  The Licensing Officer confirmed that Traffic Management had said that parking attendants were unnecessary. 

An objector (local resident) was present and outlined her concerns about people bringing fireworks into the event illegally and felt that the general organisation with regards to health and safety was inadequate.  She was also concerned about a report in the Londoner that a crowd of 25,000 was possible. 

The applicant explained that the door number would not be this excessive (a) because only 3,000 tickets had been printed and (b) there were events up and down the country this year so there would be less people travelling to the Haringey event.  He was respectful of local residents end confirmed that music would be turned off at 10.30 sharp.  Also, all stewards working at the event had been trained in public safety and would be required to attend a briefing before the event. 

The responsible authorities (Fire, Police and the Health and Safety Officers) then questioned the applicant about the revised plans submitted at the meeting and requested the extra information set out in the Appendix to these minutes.

In summing up, the Chair stated that Haringey was a cosmopolitan borough and keen to support community events but it also had to meet it’s obligation under the Licensing Act 2003 and support it’s objectives:  i) the prevention of crime and disorder; ii) public safety; iii) the prevention of public nuisance and iv) the protection of children from harm. 

RESOLVED

The Committee decided to grant the application, subject to the conditions set out in the appendix to these minutes being fulfilled, and confirmation of these being sent to the Licensing Manager by close of business on 22 March 2006.

REASONS:  The Committee decided that it was necessary to impose the conditions as set out in the appendix to these  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.