On Monday 17th February The Regulatory Board of Mendip District Council met to decide the fate of the 2003 Glastonbury Festival. They voted by a majority of 10 votes to 4 to grant a license ( subject to Glastonbury Festivals Ltd meeting the terms of the licence ) for the festival to take place in 2003. The main concerns against granting this were mainly the crime in Pilton village and the unsuitability of the location of Worthy Farm as it means so much disruption to the lives of the villagers. However many villagers protested that to not grant the licence would deprive Somerset, the UK and the world of one of the most unique cultural events. On balance it was felt that the festival, especially since the involvement of Melvin Benn and Mean Fiddler, had kept all it's promises and commitments to stop the fence jumping the previous year and so could be trusted to bring crime in the village under control in 2003. A more detailed report will be be posted in the next few days, until then below is the live text message report which was available during the regulatory board meeting below.
	picture by John Bownas of Virtual Festivals. read their story you can also read efestivals report and a report from the bbc
This was our live text message report from The Regulatory Board Meeting in Shepton Mallet, on the evening of Monday 17th February 2003. 02/17/2003 07:21:01 PM Superintendent John Buckly (Avon & Somerset Constabulary) is currently in recess to go through a Police crime statistic report not previously available to him. This follows an hour long private recess, between the Police & Glastonbury Festival 02/17/2003 07:37:25 PM After 2 recesses Melvin Benn now gives his presentation on behalf of Glastonbury festivals 02/17/2003 07:49:30 PM Melvin Benn is now giving his presentation on behalf of the festival organisers He says all core demands by the council were met in 2002 02/17/2003 08:39:25 PM Overall, crime reduced by 69% last year. 02/17/2003 08:49:26 PM Along with the "no ticket, no festival" campaign, a new one will be added... ..."You've helped save the festival, now give it a future." 02/17/2003 09:04:25 PM 30 new cctv cameras to be installed in villages surrounding the festival + 10 Mobile phone cctv cameras 02/17/2003 09:06:25 PM Melvin Benn, in closing, reaffirms the festival's commitment to meet all council requirements 02/17/2003 10:39:25 PM No major objections by any of the fire, police or ambulance services 02/17/2003 11:04:27 PM The meeting continues after a break. An hour of for and against is next. 02/17/2003 11:19:25 PM Leader of the council spoke of the many benefits of the festival. The last vote focussed minds on security. It is better to grant the licence than go to court 02/17/2003 11:19:26 PM Portfolio holding councillor said excellent cooperation could be expected from the festival. 02/17/2003 11:24:25 PM First public objector spoke of crime in the village with nowhere to go. Only police will do to control these people. 02/17/2003 11:24:30 PM Second public objector spoke of gangs with knives who only police can control. 02/17/2003 11:29:25 PM Vernon Blythe spoke of graffiti and the fear of crime and asked the councillors not to grant the licence. 02/17/2003 11:34:25 PM Houses have been covered in grafiti and villagers intimidated and people use gardens as lavatories 02/17/2003 11:39:25 PM First supporter speaks of Michael Eavis' support and the immaculate and professional security. Proposed a focus group to help the people of Pilton deal with the causes of their fears. 02/17/2003 11:39:29 PM A local born director of a wine company spoke of his wonderful time at the festival and how all should be proud of a truly unique festival with World benefits. 02/17/2003 11:44:25 PM A local auctioneer talks of farming slump and need for diversification. Local farmers with a bleak future need the festival to support their income. 02/17/2003 11:49:25 PM Local resident who has lived here for eight years spoke of improvements and how all requirements met by festival. Strongly supports licence. 02/17/2003 11:49:26 PM Traffic much improved and event is wonderful and peaceful, it gives Glastonbury a good name world wide. 02/17/2003 11:54:25 PM Former County Council leader spoke of £12million pound local benefit and how the festival was described as wonderful on a visit to Romania with a wildlife charity. 02/18/2003 12:04:32 AM so after midnight the debate commences... 02/18/2003 12:04:35 AM The county solicitor is making the legal points that crime and disorder is only one consideration. 02/18/2003 12:14:30 AM First councillor to speak supported licensing for 110,000 tickets. 02/18/2003 12:19:29 AM Cllr proposes to reject the application. 02/18/2003 12:29:30 AM BATTERY NEARLY OUT LOOKING CLOSE SPLIT EVENLY SO FAR 02/18/2003 12:39:30 AM THE DEBATE CONTINUES. SIX COUNCILLORS HAVE SPOKEN SO FAR EQUALLY SPLIT. 02/18/2003 12:44:29 AM THE MAIN OBJECTIONS ARE ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF POLICE FOR THE EVENT. 02/18/2003 12:54:29 AM THE VOTE... 02/18/2003 12:59:30 AM IN FAVOUR TEN AGAINST FOUR 02/18/2003 12:59:33 AM NOW NUMBERS... 02/18/2003 01:09:31 AM IN FAVOUR OF ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE THOUSAND TICKETS FOR THE PUBLIC APPROVED