Agenda and minutes

Councillor Claire Udy was elected to chair the meeting.

There were no pecuniary or prejudicial declarations of members' interests.  (Councillor Udy commented that her great uncle Fred Worrall had been part of the Portsmouth FC's 1939 FA Cup winning team.)

The purpose of the report by the Licensing Manager is for the Committee to exercise its statutory powers as Licensing Authority to impose an age classification using the BBFC film classification categories in respect of a film exhibition to be shown at Boathouse No. 6, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, College Road, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth.  The proposed date for public screening of this film is Wednesday 22 May 2019.

Members of the committee will have viewed this unclassified film prior to this meeting.

THE COMMITTEE ISREQUESTED TO DETERMINE THE MATTER

Nickii Humphreys, Licensing Manager, presented her report, explaining the need for the Sub Committee to classify the film in the absence of a BBFC classification so that it could be displayed at a screening at Boathouse No.6 in the Historic Dockyard on 22 May 2019.  Therefore an age appropriate condition needed to be considered and the panel had the opportunity to view the documentary immediately prior to this public Sub Committee meeting.  Members had been provided with the BBFC classification guidelines and for this film the question of language only had been pertinent.

In response to members' questions the Licensing Manager referred to the differences between the classifications for the admission of children, and due to the use of a small amount of bad language she would not recommend U or PG ratings, as whilst the language was infrequent it was not "mild". She also explained that whilst the version of the film that had been viewed was near completion it was not the final version, but the producers had assured her that only tidying up was needed and not the introduction of new material.

The members were mindful of one expletive that would necessitate a 12A rating.

The sub committee unanimously approved the decision as outlined below, which would form part of the certificate provided to Boathouse No6 and PFC as the agents.

Due to their wish not to delay the public screening, the members required that in this particular case, power be delegated to the Licensing Manager to review any further edits (which should be of a minor nature).

Decision

The Sub Committee had considered the relevant classification for the Portsmouth Football Club documentary carefully. It had paid due regard to the BBFC Classification Guidelines and noted a general absence of material that caused concern, i.e. from the usual categories set out in the guidelines.  Some bad language was noted but this was not presented in an aggressive or threatening context.  This was sporadic and low-level, save for one instance.

In light of all of the above the Sub-Committee determined that the rating for this film should be 12A. This allows for discretion for those under 12 to view the film if their parents/guardians deem it appropriate and the child is accompanied by an adult.

It was noted that the material may be subject to further editing before final viewing and accordingly the Licensing Manager is granted delegated authority to review and certify any edited version of the film, when finalised.  This will enable the screening as planned, within the proposed timescale.