Agenda and minutes

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

Proposed by Cllr Beer, seconded by Cllr Lugg.

Decision: That Cllr Parker be appointed Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registerable or personal interest as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting.

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.

An application has been made to vary the licence at The Cider Shed, Bredy Farm, Burton Bradstock. The application has been out to public consultation and attracted representations. A Licensing Sub-Committee must consider the application and representations at a public hearing. 

This item had been withdrawn prior to the Sub-Committee meeting.

An application has been made for a new premises licence for Relax Coffee Lounge in Dorchester. The application has been out to public consultation and has attracted a relevant representation. A Licensing Sub-Committee must consider the application and representations at a public hearing. 

The Licencing Team Leader introduced the application for a new premises licence at Relax Coffee Lounge, Dorchester.

The application was for the on-sale of alcohol between the hours of 11.00 to 23.00 every day, with the exception of Sunday which was from 11.00 to 22.00. There was one representation received that objected to the application on the basis of public nuisance.

There were no questions of the Licencing Team Leader at this stage.

Mr Rowbotham, the owner of the premises, explained that the premises would be a café during the day and a wine bar during the evening. He aimed to attract older people to the wine bar and confirmed that he did not want to turn the premises into a nightclub. Mr Rowbotham stated that he owned another café in Dorchester, and it had not received any complaints in the past.

The Sub-Committee asked questions of Mr Rowbotham. The questions related to the points raised in the written representation, as well as noise caused by people leaving the premises.

In response to the questions, it was confirmed that:

• There was no smoking in the arcade and a bin could be put outside to encourage people not to drop cigarettes.

• There were no residential properties near where people would enter or exit Relax Coffee Lounge.

• There would be no more than 80 people seated in the café and this would be reduced when there was live music in the evenings.

All parties were given the opportunity to sum up their case.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph x of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

Proposed by Cllr Parker, seconded by Cllr Beer.

Decision: That the press and the public be excluded for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The Sub-Committee retired to make their decision.

Decision: To GRANT the Premises Licence with the mandatory conditions and the conditions consistent with the Operating Schedule to permit the following: 

Sale of alcohol, on the premises only: -

Monday to Saturday 11:00 to 23:00

Sunday 11:00 to 22:00

Licence Conditions Consistent with the Operating Schedule

The Prevention of Crime and Disorder

1.     A Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system will be operational at the premises at all times when licensable activities are being carried out and at any other times when members of the public are present on the premises.

2.     The PLH/DPS staff will ask for proof of age from any person appearing to be under the age of 25 who attempts to purchase alcohol at the premises.

3.     A log shall be kept detailing all refused sales of alcohol. The log should include the date and time of the refused sale, a description of the person refused, why they were refused (e.g. no ID, fake ID) and the name of the member of staff who refused the sale. The log shall be available for inspection at the premises by the police or an authorised officer of a Responsible Authority (Licensing Act 2003).

Public Safety

1.     Written records of all accidents and safety incidents involving members of the public and/or staff will be kept. These will be made available at the request of an authorised officer.

The Prevention of Public Nuisance

1.     A clear notice shall be displayed at every exit from the premises to instruct customers to respect the needs of local residents and leave the premises and the area quietly.

2.     The premises licence holder shall ensure that a sufficient number of suitable receptacles are located in appropriate locations for the depositing of waste materials such as food wrappings, drinks containers, smoking related litter, etc. by customers.

The Protection of Children from Harm

1.     The Licensee will ensure that each member of staff authorised to sell alcohol has received adequate training on the law with regard to age restricted products and that this has been properly documented and training records kept. The training record to be kept on the licensed premises and made available for inspection by the Licensing Officer, Trading Standards or the Police.

2.   The Licensee will ensure that each member of staff authorised to sell alcohol is fully aware of his /her responsibilities in relation to verifying a customer's age and is able to effectively question purchasers and check evidence of proof of age.