The Sub-Committee is asked to determine Six Star Events (Totally 90’s Festival) application, taking into account the details in the report and any representations made at this Sub-Committee meeting.

 

The applicants joined the meeting.  

  

The Chair invited the Sub-Committee members, officers, and applicants to introduce themselves.  

  

The applicants introduced themselves as, Wayne David King, Site Manager, Ryan Withers, Premises Supervisor, Jemma Hone, Local Entertainer and Director of the company, and Sarah Ward, Event Manager. 

  

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer (ET) noted apologies for Edward Davis, Environmental Health Officer.  

  

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer (ET) presented the report, notifying members that the Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing is convened to determine an application submitted by Six Star Events for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of Totally 90’s Festival, Cutteslowe Park, Oxford. The details of the application were summarised as the following licensable activities and times: 

 

• Live Music (outdoors): Saturday 14:00 hours to 22:30 hours.

• Recorded Music (outdoors): Saturday 13:00 hours to 22:00 hours. 
• Retail Sale of Alcohol (on sales only): Saturday 13:00 hours to 22:30 hours.

  

The Sub-Committee also heard that the premises licence would be for the festival to be held annually on the last Saturday of May or first Saturday of June and that the 2025 event would be held on Saturday 25^th May 2025. Relevant details of the application are enclosed in appendix 1 and a noise risk assessment is enclosed in appendix 2 of the report.

  

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer (ET) informed the Sub-Committee that Thames Valley Police and Environmental Health have agreed conditions with the applicant which will be attached to the premises licence, if granted, and details of these are enclosed in appendix 3 and 4. The Sub-Committee also understood that 6 representations were received in relation to crime and disorder, public nuisance, and public safety which are enclosed in appendix 5. A relevant map is enclosed in appendix 6.

  

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer (ET) reminded the Sub-Committee of its responsibilities under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act, noting that: 

  

• The Sub-Committee must consider the fair balance between the interests of the applicant and the rights of local residents; any decision taken by the Sub-Committee must be necessary and proportionate to the objectives being pursued.  

• That under the Licensing Act 2003, members have a duty to act with a view to promoting the licensing objectives. 

• That when considering any representations, only those issues relating to the four licensing objectives should be considered and appropriate weight given to the importance and relevance of each representation. 

• In making its decision, the Sub-Committee must also have regard to the Home Office statutory guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and the Council’s own Statement of Licensing Policy which are enclosed within the report.  

  

The Sub-Committee were also reminded that they must make one of the following decisions which they consider to be appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives: 

  

• To grant the licence in accordance with the application. 

• To modify the conditions of the operating schedule by altering, omitting or adding to them. 

• To exclude or restrict from the scope of the licence any of the licensable activities to which the application relates. 

• To reject the whole of the application. 

  

The Sub-Committee understood that it may also grant the licence subject to different conditions for different parts of the premises or the different licensable activities. 

  

Finally, the Senior Licensing Compliance Officer (ET) reminded the Sub-Committee that the applicant or persons making representations have the right of appeal against the decision made.  

  

The Chair invited the applicant to make representations.  

  

Ms. Ward thanked the Sub-Committee and summarised her extensive experience within the festival industry. In relation to the application, the Sub-Committee heard that every effort is being taken to utilise a top security team, ensure site visits are conducted to assess crowd dispersal and traffic management, and liaise with Environmental Health officers.   

  

Ms. Ward also detailed the following information for the Sub-Committee: 

• Sound monitoring equipment would be used to monitor bass levels during the event to enable immediate action, should levels exceed agreed thresholds. This includes three sensitive receptor sites at the start of each act.  

• In regards alcohol management, Ms. Ward noted trust in the Head of Security who holds over 40 years’ experience in his role, runs his own pub, and is a Parish Councillor.  

• They have worked with the local community to manage parking issues and traffic flow plans. No parking will be offered to event-goers, and this will be made clear through advertising and ticket information. Instead, the local Park & Ride facilities will be recommended.   

• They have worked with the local Park Run manager to ensure regular events are still facilitated and access is not limited. Marshalls will be present to support this. 

• In regards night safety and lighting, marshals will be present to steer people into the right areas at the right times. 

• In regards noise, the stage has been positioned facing downhill and away from houses to ensure least impact on local residents. Environmental Health have raised no objections to this.  

• They have liaised with the local football club who have been welcoming and offered their facilities to the event organisers. In return, the applicants have offered to support the club in raising money for charity by donating event tickets for a raffle.  

• Local charities have been invited to the festival.  

Ms. Ward clarified to the Sub-Committee that the festival is aimed at families, and not young persons, as communicated in their advertising.  

  

The Chair thanked Ms. Ward for the detail within her representation. 

  

The Thames Valley Police Licensing Officer commented that the police have no objections and noted that all relevant conditions have been approved.  

  

The Chair raised a general concern about crime and disorder but recognised the measures that are being planned to mitigate this. He asked whether the stewards are familiar with the local area to which Ms. Ward explained that the manager of the stewards works at the local football stadiums and is familiar with the area. She provided additional information regarding waste disposal plans, detailing how litter pickers would tidy up throughout the day and simultaneously act as marshals, noting that this is a method which has worked well at previous events.  

  

Councillor Ottino sought clarity on whether the Sub-Committee should be considering traffic management and crowd dispersal plans when making their decision. The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer (ET) confirmed that the dispersal policy is relevant and is discussed at SAG. The Thames Valley Police Licensing Officer also noted that TVP and the SAG have agreed on the proposed plans regarding these matters.  

  

Councillor Ottino queried whether the Sub-Committee should also be considering the clear up plans following the event, to which the Legal Adviser noted a link to public nuisance, which is a licensing objective, but reminded the member that the applicant had already provided information regarding this. 

  

Councillor Ottino referenced historic issues with bonfires and asked whether wet weather plans had been considered. Ms. Ward explained, in relation to crowd dispersal, that they are in the process of finalising relevant plans and have mapped the site, walked it, and assessed risk areas such as the pond. The Sub-Committee also heard about lighting and marshals which will be used to manage this. Ms. Ward assured members that crowds would be dispersed towards the Park & Ride locations and that no alcohol would be allowed to enter or leave the event space. In regards wet weather, it was noted that the site location links to a tarmacked road which will be used stallholders’ entry, but that no driving would be permitted within the event space after setting up is complete.

  

The Chair noted that any further details on these matters were not relevant to the discussions of the Sub-Committee.  

  

Councillor Muddiman thanked the applicants and sought to confirm that the event would be limited to 1500 attendees, also asking how this would be controlled. Ms. Ward confirmed this and noted that clickers would be used to monitor numbers, in line with evacuation plans. Councillor Muddiman sought further clarity on the exit routes. 

  

Edward Davis, the Environmental Health Officer, joined the meeting.  

  

The Legal Adviser sought clarification on whether the exit areas would be lit up in the dark to which Ms. Ward detailed plans to use battery operated flood lights and stewards to keep people on the correct paths. 

  

The Chair reminded the Sub-Committee that the SAG would also assess these matters and raise concerns if necessary.  

  

Councillor Ottino asked whether readmittance would be permitted, and if so, how would drugs and alcohol be managed. Ms. Ward noted that readmittance would not be permitted but this is under consideration and assured members that no one would be allowed to walk in and out with alcohol as this will be monitored on the gates. Mr. King added that at previous festivals they have used wristbands with barcodes linked to an app to monitor number. He explained that this enables greater assessment of safety considerations and noted that bag searches would be conducted as necessary. 

  

Councillor Ottino requested the view of the Police on this matter.  

  

The Thames Valley Police Licensing Officer noted that drug and alcohol consumption is an inherent issue with most festivals held in parks but explained that the SAG would discuss and impose any relevant conditions through a robust policy. The officer also noted his understanding that so far, all necessary steps and conditions had been achieved.  

  

The Environmental Health Officer noted that some residents had initially raised objections but had not attended the meeting to express these and had since dropped the objections. The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer (ET) confirmed that the conditions to the licence outlined on pages 94 and 95 of the report had been agreed with Environmental Health.  

 

Mr. King, Mr. Withers, Ms. Hone, Ms. Ward, the Senior Licensing Compliance Officer, the Thames Valley Police Licensing Officer, and the Environmental Health Officer left the meeting to allow the Sub-Committee to reach a decision. 

 

The Sub-Committee considered: 

• That applications do not reach the SAG if they are not considered sufficiently robust; this application had.  

• That the licence application was for an annual festival, but future festivals could be reviewed if complaints were made after the first event, or any incidents occurred.   

• That the applicants had demonstrated hard work to reach the conditions required for the licence.  

• That the applicants had worked closely and made efforts to communicate well with local residents, resulting in objections being dropped. 

• That Ms. Ward’s history and representation seemed credible.  

 

  

Mr. King, Mr. Withers, Ms. Hone, Ms. Ward, the Senior Licensing Compliance Officer, the Thames Valley Police Licensing Officer, and the Environmental Health Officer rejoined the meeting.

  

The Chair commended Ms. Ward’s application and representation to the Sub-Committee and commented on the importance of supporting the arts and culture industry, therefore expressing his support for this festival.  

 

The Chair delivered the Sub-Committee’s decision.

 

The Sub-Committee resolved to: 

 

• Grant the licence in accordance with the application and conditions enclosed.  

 

  

The Legal Adviser clarified that the licence was granted with the additional conditions from both Thames Valley Police, and Environmental Health, as previously agreed.  

 

Mr. King, Mr. Withers, Ms. Hone and Ms. Ward thanked the Sub-Committee.

 

Mr. King, Mr. Withers, Ms. Hone and Ms. Ward left the meeting.

 

 

The Chair invited the Sub-Committee to take a break for five minutes.  

  

The meeting resumed.