I hesitate to intrude on this discussion but have been asked to comment on the points regarding a tented structure on the Ham.

No formal licence application for the Ham has been received so far by East Devon Council.

However officers are aware of proposals for concerts at the Ham and I believe there have been some informal discussions between interested parties and with representatives of the Town Council.

There were problems with licensing at the Ham last year and I believe the Council's insurance requirements were not met although concerts were still allowed to proceed in 2004.

Concerts will only be allowed in 2005 when all licensing conditions are met.

Anyone wishing to stage concerts at the Ham will need to obtain £15 million of Public Liability Insurance, employ a properly qualified Health & Safety Officer, provide the licensing authority with satisfactory Risk Management, Noise Management and overall Event Management plans, and satisfy all our other licensing conditions to ensure a safe and acceptable event.

Until those conditions are met and a licence is granted it is premature to talk about concerts at the Ham and advertise artists who are performing there.

I trust this clarifies the situation. For obvious reasons I cannot reveal my identity here but I would ask concert organisers to contact East Devon Council without delay to discuss the licensing situation and the need to submit a full and detailed licence application, site plan and other documentation.