Agenda and minutes

Councillor Stamp was elected Chair of the meeting.

Chris Baldwin (the ‘premises user’) had submitted the above mentioned TEN regarding a proposed event at Sandhills Farm on the 11^th September 2021 (noon until 23:00). The event was described as a small, one day, over 18s event for friends and associates of the organisers (up to 350 attendees in total) with amplified, pre-recorded music and a paid bar. The TEN had resulted in objections from Surrey Police.

Ian Garrod presented his report which explained the legislative framework for TENs, including the fact that, when a licensing authority received an objection to a TEN from the police or environmental health, it was required to convene a hearing to consider whether or not to serve a counter notice in light of the four licensing objectives. The report included:

·      a copy of the TEN submitted by Chris Baldwin, together with supporting  documents; and

·      details of the police objection and supporting evidence.

            Ian Sandwell presented the police objections which argued that the event was likely to undermine the licensing objectives of public safety and preventing crime & disorder. This was in view of the unlit, rural location and the potential for incursions given the open nature of the site. The objections were also based on the fact that Chris Baldwin had submitted two previous similar TENs in 2018 for an outdoor music event at Whyte Gate Farm, South Godstone. The first of these previous TENs had been withdrawn after it emerged that the event was being promoted on Facebook where tickets could be purchased by the public in The Cage Public House in Reigate. This was contrary to the TEN which stated that the event would not be publicised. The second previous TEN resulted in a counter notice from the Licensing Authority following objections from Surrey Police, again in light of promotion via Facebook (with statements appearing to encourage a large gathering) contrary to the event being described as ‘private’ within the TEN. Given this history, Surrey Police had no confidence that the details in the current TEN could be relied upon. The objection asserted that, if the Sandhills Farm event was to be publicised via social media, the mandatory capacity limit of 499 could be exceeded.

            Following the publication of the original agenda pack, Chris Baldwin had submitted revised ‘additional information’ which attempted to address the Police’s concerns, including event control policies and a commitment to provide additional security personnel. It also corrected a typographical error within the original version regarding the duration of the event (i.e. from noon on the 11^th September as opposed to the 9^th September). Ian Sandwell remained dissatisfied that the event would uphold the licensing objectives and urged the Sub-Committee to authorise a counter notice. He was concerned about the absence of ‘major incident’ and ‘command and control’ provisions and drew comparisons to a recent illegal rave in Steyning which attracted up to 2000 people and led to over 80 arrests. 

Chris Baldwin (accompanied by Emma Vicinic) addressed the Sub-Committee and argued that his  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.