Monday saw the IW Festival licence review kick off at County Hall. Many followed our live coverage on Twitter throughout the day, something we’d recommend for today (Tuesday) as the hearing continues from 10am.
It was a long day, starting with a question mark on whether the review go even go ahead.
Solo’s legal representative, David Clifton, started proceedings by suggesting that members may wish to consider whether GKN’s application was considered frivolous or vexatious, given some late evidence presented prior to the meeting.
Application deemed border-line vexatious
Members left the chamber to take legal advice and returned confirming they found the application border-line vexatious and for the benefit of doubt would continue with the hearing.
An officer from Regulatory Services presented a succinct report of the situation arising during the 2012 Isle of Wight Festival and presented members of the committee with options for consideration.
GKN called for changes to licence
Sarah McCarthy-Fry for GKN presented their evidence (as detailed in the licence application), calling for the current ‘in-perpetuity’ licence to be revoked, re-issued on a 12 month basis and then reviewed every five years.
McCarthy-Fry confirmed that they were still considering taking legal action against Solo for £50,000 in compensation for their production having to stop during Thursday/Friday.
Responsible authorities do not support review
All the relevant ‘responsible authorities’ (ie. Police, Fire, Ambulance, Highways, Environmental Health etc) confirmed they do not support the licence review.
Police, Fire and Ambulance, added that they were not affected by the traffic congestion. All managing to reach calls during the period.
Superintendent Brook told the meeting that the Isle of Wight Festival is “one of the safest festivals in the country” and they “are confident Solo are equipped to run the event”.
He also suggested he’d be looking for multiple entrances and exits in future and told members that it would be “unforgivable if no lessons were learnt from 2012”.
The headteacher for Medina College had said no child was adversely affected and no pupils missed exams.
ESOP not signed off but approved
The licensing officer, Kevin Winchcombe confirmed that although the Event Safety and Operational Plan (ESOP) was not signed off by the Cabinet Member and relevant Director, it had been approved by all the relevant responsible authorities.
Confusion between ESOP and TMP
There seemed to be some confusion amongst many of the difference between the Traffic Management Plan (TMP) and the ESOP.
Many had called for the ESOP to be made public so it could be seen whether there were any contingency plans in place.
Officers confirmed that the TMP is already public, indeed published here through On The Wight as well as in the CP.
Surveys support festival but not capacity
Mr Hoffman on behalf of Newport Parish council presented their findings from two previous surveys. He explained that although there was strong support from residents for the festival, the capacity of 90,000 was not popular.
He said the NPC do not support revoking the licence, but in light of evidence presented at the meeting in relation to lessons learnt, a new licence for five years be issued.
The hearing continues today from 10am.
As always, follow our live coverage on Twitter (you don’t have to be signed up).
Image: Rob Gallop under CC BY 2.0
