Agenda and minutes

The Chair introduced the Sub-Committee and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Outline of the Application by the Licensing Officer

The Licensing Officer outlined the Application to Vary a Premises Licence in respect of Sixfields Stadium, Northampton.  He then explained the procedure for the hearing.

Application for the Review

Representing Sixfields Stadium, Mr. A. B. Thompson, Barrister and authorised agent, noted that the football club had applied to vary the Premises Licence in order to incorporate outside areas, have the sale of alcohol and music ending at the same time and to include indoor sporting events such as darts.  Mr Thompson also wished to remove the specific locations permitted for the sale of alcohol to incorporate the whole stadium, for occasions when the names of bars are altered in line with changes to sponsorship.

It was confirmed that in pages 21-29 of the application the Police had provided their recommended conditions, which Sixfields Stadium had started to put into practice.  Mr Thompson raised the objection from Mr Mallard the Senior Environmental Health Officer in regard of the prevention of public nuisance, due to the sites proximity to a residential area.  He confirmed that he had attended an informal meeting with the team to agree changes to the Licence to satisfy their concerns of the potential disturbance to the local residents.

Environmental Health had requested that there be a restriction on numbers of large outdoor events and relevant noise conditions attached to the Licence.  For smaller marquee events such as weddings they also requested a restriction on the numbers and to enforce clause 3,3 of the policy, ‘Premises Licence - Outdoor Events – Noise conditions’ as adopted by this Authority.  If these additional conditions were attached Environmental Health had agreed to withdraw their objection.

Questions to the Applicant

Members asked if consideration could be given to the use of polycarbonate glasses for the supply of alcohol in order to reduce the risk of broken glass.  Mr Thompson agreed to make this request to the club.

Representation by the Representors

Mr Polden, representing the Public Protection Department, confirmed that he had suggested that large events, such as pop concerts, be restricted to 4 annually with sufficient noise restrictions.  Additionally, marquee events, such as weddings, to be restricted to 12 annually with the adoption of clause 3,3 of the Council’s ‘Premises Licence - Outdoor Events – Noise conditions’ policy.  This is in order to ensure the volume is controlled and noise does not become an annoyance for residents.

Questions to the Representors

Members questioned if an extension to the annual maximum number of events could be applied for by the Applicant.  It was confirmed that if they could demonstrate that the maximum number of events was not sufficient the club could apply for a further variation of their Premises Licence.

Members questioned how the noise control would be monitored.  It was confirmed that the noise control would be maintained and monitored by Sixfields Stadium with advise in the form of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.