Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for the meeting and the Chairman to present and explain the procedure for the meeting.

Resolved

That Councillor Emma Parker be elected Chairman for the meeting.

The attention of the Sub-Committee was drawn to the procedures and

protocols for the meeting and the basis on which the decision would be made.

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies for absence were received at the meeting.

To receive any declarations of interest.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made at the meeting.

The Licensing Sub-Committee Procedures were drawn to the attention of, and

understood by, Members in how they were able to come to their decision and

the basis for this. The processes and protocols to manage the virtual meeting were also clarified by the chairman and understood. Introductions were made and participants welcomed to the proceedings.

An application to vary a premises licence has been made by Shaun and Marcia Hannam, to extend the terminal hour for the on and off sales of alcohol to 2300hrs daily, and to add indoor live and recorded music on an occasional basis between 0900hrs and 2300hrs. Representations have been received and remain unresolved therefore a hearing by the licensing Sub-Committee must be held to determine the application.

The Sub-Committee considered an application by Shaun and Marcia Hannam to vary the current licence at Clapcotts Farm, Spetisbury, Blandford Forum, to include:-

·       the supply of alcohol for on and off sales between 1800hrs and 2300hrs daily

·       the inclusion of live music (indoors only) on an occasional basis during

           licensed hours.

·       the inclusion of recorded music (indoors only) on an occasional basis

           during licensed hours.

so as to benefit the success of their business at their café premises, within the grounds of their farm.

The officer’s report detailed the basis of the application, how any permission

would be applied in practice and what the premises, and the café business, entailed.

Clapcotts Farmhouse was a farm building on the edge of the village of  Spetisbury - being part of the Dorset County Estate /County Farms – of which Mr and Mrs Hannam were tenants -  that ran

various small events to diversify their farm business including the holding of weddings, birthday parties, local village community events, as well as the running of a farm shop and cafe. The application was designed to enhance their capacity to optimise this and to maintain a viable and successful enterprise.

The characteristics of the site were described, with the farm building used for events being an old farm building with minimal acoustic properties, with a  dining area being insulated to ceiling and wall; a vestibule constructed to the dining area to allow entry and exit without reducing the acoustic properties of the dining area; and an under-cover seating area: being a roofed area with open space to the outside with low acoustic properties.

The hospitality venue – known as The Shack – management plan was accessible to the Sub-committee showing what measures were in place to address activities that took place, with the hospitality aspect of their business so as to be able to run the business successfully.

Should the variation be granted, it would consequently mean that the licensable hours would be between 0900hrs to 2300hrs every day.

As a representation had been received - an objection - and remained unresolved, it was now necessary for the Sub-Committee to consider it and determine the application. A critical condition of any grant of permission recommended by officers was that officers also recommended adding the following conditions which were consistent with the new operating schedule and did not relate directly to music noise:-

·       bottles would not be placed in any external receptacle after 1800hrs and before 1000hrs to minimise noise disturbance to neighbouring properties.

·       clear and legible notices would be displayed at all exits requesting patrons leave the premises quietly, having consideration of local residents.

·       a written record would be kept of all complaints received, including responses and measures taken. The record would be available for inspection by authorised officers on their request.

·       the activities of persons using the external areas would be monitored after 1800hrs and they would be reminded to have regard to the needs of local residents and to refrain from shouting and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items of business for consideration.