Glastonbury licence hearing

This page contains live as-it-happens updates from the Glastonbury Festival public entertainment licence hearing, which started at 6:30pm tonight (Wednesday). Updates will be posted periodically (every 15 minutes or so - when there's something to say) - you'll need to "refresh" this page to see the latest information.

A fully detailed report will be available before 8am tomorrow - check back to see that.

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22:36 That's all from me, Neil will be doing a full report as usual so check back for that tomorrow. See you in June. Result! :-)

22:33 The license has been granted!! Just one against!

22:31 The motion has been proposed and seconded to grant the license with conditions, think the vote is about to take place!

22:25 The PEL fee (if granted) will be £89,350 - an increase of £5k (bet you all wanted to know that)

22:21 The 6th will vote yes (for)

22:19 Difficult to assess precisely which way some councillors will be voting as they take turns to speak - the 5th member will vote yes making it 3 for 2 against so far (best guess)

22:08 Member of the RB comments that bulk of letters received on the subject have been for, think we have one vote for and one against so far...

(Number of regulatory board members present we think = 14 - a higher turn out than the first hearing for last years festival when the license was refused 5 - 4)

21:47 Melvin Benn does some more re-capping before the members of the Regulatory Board discuss the application, following which they will vote on it and we will have a result.

21:41 No.2 is more positive!

21:35 One of two members of the public who wish to speak asks for the vote to be against the license being granted...

21:25 Councillor "Jim" affirms the festival this year was better than '02 with co-operation between all parties getting better - "We need to translate lessons learnt into improvements"

21:21 Another villager/councillor speaks - she is fed up with the inconvenience.

21:15 So that's the end of the so called statutory bodies turn to speak, Melvin Benn has done a quick recap and now the public participation starts - a Pilton Parish councillor says 2003 was better than 2002...

21:02 Now it's the turn of the fire brigade - like the Police they have no objections and have gone straight into fielding questions.

20:49 The meeting re-starts with Chief Superintendent Mark Thompson of Avon & Somerset - fielding questions straight away - must be happy.

20:42 Neil hands out some free efestivals mugs ...but only to the beautiful people.

20:35 The meeting has stopped for a break - tea, biscuits, and more singing.

20:20 Environmental officer recommends approval of the PEL with conditions to ensure standards and safety.

20:16 A questions session with Melvin Benn has ended and MDC's environmental officer is now speaking to the room.

20:04 CCTV cameras in Shepton Mallet and Glastonbury town may be funded by Glastonbury Festivals Ltd.

19:57 Improved security features for the tickets have been discussed.
edit 20:39 - as well as added security features on the tickets other methods of entry were discussed including ticketless options

19:39 Melvin Benn's presentation ends.

19:34 Pilton Parish ask for the festival to be downsized and held two-yearly. Melvin Benn doesn't comment.

19:30 Melvin Benn (the applicant for Glastonbury Festivals) has begun a presentation. 2003 is to be used as the baseline for 2004, with changes as follows...

A clampdown on noise on the Monday/Tuesday after the festival as it was judged to be too much last year.
As expected after the overcrowding last year - better access for the Lost Stage.
A vehicle audit to reduce vehicle/pedestrian conflict and aid crowd movement.
Further improvements to deter pollution of the hedges (you know what I'm talking about) and better management of environmental impact.
The pub in Pilton (The Crown) will be shut and the shop won't be selling alcohol, same as last year so not a change.
Quieter fireworks will be sought for the official displays - unofficial pyros will be risking eviction from the site (unless they don't go *bang* presumably!).
Safer seperation of campervans & caravans will be pursued.
Crime reduction measures to be as strong as they were in 2003.
All security staff to be registered as requested by Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

18:54 Glen Crocker of Mendip District Council outlines the PEL (the license) - no objections from the statutory bodies (Fire Brigade, Ambulance Service) but asking for "milestone" conditions to be written in such as date for completion of fence erection. (14 milestones in all)

18:45 Approvals of the minutes of the previous meeting held not long ago - ticket numbers were discussed - to be the same as last year which was 150,000 (inc performers/workers)

18:32 The meeting has commenced with the usual introductions, outlining of its purpose and the singing of bawdy rugby songs.

18:28 Michael Eavis has arrived

18:24 Evening all. Not long till the meeting commences - representatives of the festival have arrived at the Mendip Council offices and about 30 members of the public (so far). Emily Eavis is in attendance so Michael shouldn't be too far behind!

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