Agenda item

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 18th June, it had considered an application from the Ardoyne Fleadh Project for the renewal of a Seven-day Annual Outdoor Entertainments Licence for the Holy Cross Boys’ Primary School. In addition, the applicant had sought permission to operate till midnight on each night of this year’s Fleadh, which was due to be held from 22nd till 24th August. That was one hour later than was permitted on an Outdoor Entertainments Licence. It had been pointed out at the meeting that, whilst no written representation had been received in relation to the application, a response had yet to be received from the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Accordingly, the Committee had agreed to defer consideration of the renewal of the Licence until that had been received but had granted the application for the additional hours under the current Licence.

            The Head of Building Control informed the Members that the Police Service of Northern Ireland had since confirmed that it had no issues with the Entertainments Licence being renewed and added that the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service had offered no objection. The Council’s Environmental Protection Unit had advised that it would comment on each event upon the receipt of the relevant information, including a Noise Management Plan. He pointed out that the Building Control Service would, in advance of an event taking place, hold meetings with the relevant agencies, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, in order to review documentation submitted by organisers and to ensure that all health and safety requirements were met.

            During discussion, a Member pointed out that the Holy Cross Boys’ Primary school was situated within a residential area and drew the Committee’s attention to issues which had arisen in previous years, particularly around excessive noise and anti-social behaviour. He highlighted also the inappropriate content of some of the songs which had been played, which he argued had contributed to raising tensions at a nearby interface. He reminded the Members that an officer of the Police Service of Northern Ireland had been subject to disciplinary action arising from information which he had, in June, 2013, provided to the Committee in relation to that year’s event. The Member stated that he had been informed by a senior officer within the Police Service that the aforementioned officer had played no part in the decision-making process this year. However, it had been evident from a reference made to that officer within an email, which had been forwarded by the Police Service to the Council offering no objection to this year’s application, that that had not been the case.

            A further Member highlighted the fact that the Fleadh was an important event for the residents of the Ardoyne area and pointed out that admission to all events was free of charge.

            After further discussion, it was

                Moved by Councillor Ó Donnghaile,

                Seconded by Councillor M.E. Campbell,

                    That the Committee, in its capacity as Licensing Authority, agrees

                    to grant a renewal of a Seven-day Annual Outdoor Entertainments

                    Licence in respect of Holy Cross Boys’ Primary School, Brookfield

                    Street.

            On a vote by show of hands nine Members voted for the proposal and seven against and it was accordingly declared carried.

            The Committee agreed also that a senior representative of the Police Service of Northern Ireland be invited to attend a future meeting in order to discuss issues around representations made by the Police Service in relation to licensing applications.