Agenda item
Application for Time Limited Premises Licence for Lovebox 2014
Minutes:
At the request of the Chair, Mr Alex Lisowski, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a Time Limited premises licence for LoveBox 2014, Victoria Park, London E3. It was noted that an objection had been made bya local Ward Councillor. It was noted that was a 4 year application for a three day event each year and this year it was planned for 18th – 20th July 2014.
At the request of the Chair Mr Simon Taylor, Legal Representative explained that this application mirrored previous applications made over the pastyears;however this was for a 4 year term. He explained that each year a detailed notification and consultation period would take place before an event was organised and would also seek agreement from the Police and Licensing Authority before an event was finalised. Mr Taylor then highlighted the improvements in the process leading up to the event;
- Robust consultation process
- Two public meetings with more publicity
- Engagement with responsible authorities
- Take feedback from local residents and community groups
- Employed a Crime and Reduction Manager
- Stronger Crime Reduction Policy
- Detailed Drugs Plan
He stated that crime statistics from the Metropolitan Police confirmed that there had been a reduction in crime at the last event in 2013 compared to previous years ie. there had been 5 violent crimes in 2012 and 3 in 2013. Mr Taylor then went on to give a detailed breakdown of the crime statistics in relation to Lovebox.
Members then heard from Cllr Josh Peck, Ward Councillor for Bow West, he explained that he was representing ward residents, as complaints from residents had been made year after year with no or little change made each year.
Cllr Peck stressed that he was not against the Lovebox festival but wanted assurance that it would run well as there were serious issues which had not been addressed.
Cllr Peck referred to the three licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the prevention of public nuisance. Cllr Peck referred to his written objection contained in the agenda on pages 55-58 and highlighted the Metropolitan Police’s published crime figures which showed that there was a dramatic increase in crime and disorder in the month that Lovebox happened each year. That there were serious concerns of crowd crushes and believe that the crowd management of these events was insufficient to cope with 30,000 people leaving Victoria Park in one go. Cllr Peck lastly highlighted examples of anti-social behaviour, public nuisance and noise nuisance experienced by local residents during Lovebox events.
Cllr Peck concluded by putting forward proposed amendments and conditions;
· A one year licence for 2014
· A 10.30pm finish time on each night
· A maximum capacity of 25,000 at any one time
· Reduction in noise limit to 70dbl
· Stewards to be paid by the applicants
· Steward to be placed on certain roads and entrances and exits and on particular hotspot areas at particular times.
In response to questions the following was noted;
· Why concerns had not been raised with the organisers during debrief before and after the event.
· That 11pm terminal hour aids with dispersal and this theory was also supported by the Police.
· That if the terminal hour was brought forward then people would go on to other licensed venues after the event.
· That there would be 98 stewards outside the venue in addition to Police officers
· That the Applicant was happy to add additional stewards in the areas suggested by Cllr Peck
· That a four year application would show confidence in the applicants and also enable them to make more investments to improve the event.
· That there were concerns around public urination and that there would be 400 toilets made available at the event.
· That there were discrepancies over the crime figures provided by Cllr Peck in relation to those provided to Applicant from the Police. .
· The applicant assured Members that there would be more direct liaison with residents, local community groups etc.
Members retired to consider their decision at 5.20pm and reconvened at 5.40pm.
The Licensing Objectives
In considering the application, Members were required to consider the same in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (as amended), the Licensing Objectives, the Licensing Guidance and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.
Consideration
Each application must be considered on its own merits and after careful consideration the Chair stated that the Sub Committee had considered all of the evidence before them and took account of the evidence submitted for and on behalf of the Applicant by Mr Taylor and by the objector Councillor Joshua Peck.
Members reached a decision and it was unanimous. The decision was to reject the decision on the grounds of crime and disorder and public nuisance. The Sub Committee had real concerns about the increase in crime and disorder, which Members felt was attributable to Lovebox.
Likewise the Sub Committee were concerned by the public nuisance suffered by residents of Bow West. The Sub Committee did not consider that there were any further conditions that could be added to those advanced by the Applicant and so rejected the application.
Decision
Accordingly, the Sub-Committee unanimously –
RESOLVED
That the application for a Time Limited Premises Licence for, Lovebox 2014 be REFUSED.
Supporting documents: