An application to register Branksome Recreation Ground as a town green is to be considered by an independent public inquiry.
A report into the application, submitted by Mrs Jacqueline Wilson on behalf of the Branksome Recreation Action Group was considered at a meeting of the licensing sub-committee on Tuesday 20 July 2010.
The officer’s report presented two options to members of the sub-committee:
Option 1: A non-statutory public inquiry is held and a suitably qualified inspector be appointed to conduct the inquiry. That the appointed inspector be asked to hear evidence for and against the application and then to prepare a written report advising the Registration Authority whether to accede to or to reject the application; or
Option 2: The licensing sub-committee in its capacity as Registration Authority consider the application and the objections and determine whether to accept or reject the application.
After consideration the sub-committee chose to proceed with option one.
Members were keen for there to be an open and transparent process leading to a recommendation back to the sub-committee in this case as the council is also the landowner.
Frank Wenzel, Principal Licensing Officer, Borough of Poole, said: “The council must act impartially where there is a conflict of interest. The decision made by licensing sub-committee to accept option one maintains this impartiality and ensures that all parties to the application will have the opportunity to present their evidence to an independent body before a decision is made by the licensing sub-committee.”
The licensing sub committee was chaired by Cllr Judy Butt with vice chairs Cllr Graham Curtis and Cllr Les Burden. The licensing sub committee consists of two Conservative members and one Liberal Democrat member to be selected from the licensing committee.
