Agenda and minutes

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

Statement 1 relates to Licensing Premises

Statement 2 relates to Taxi Licence Applications.

Proposed by Cllr Heatley, seconded by Cllr Barron.

Decision: that Cllr Emma Parker be elected 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 disclosable pecuniary interests 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 for a new premises licence for the Last Post 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 Licensing Team Leader presented the application for a new premises licence for the Last Post in Dorchester.  She re-iterated the application information as detailed in 9.4 of the report and advised that two representations received from the responsible authorities, namely the Police and Environmental Health had been withdrawn because additional conditions had been agreed.

One representation from a member of the public remained

There were no questions for the Licensing Team Leader and the Applicant was invited to put his case forward.

He explained that his intention was not to have loud bands in the venue but a solo artist or duo.  Friday night would likely be a quiz night and maybe some music on Saturday nights and ad-hoc events during the week if required for an event such as a birthday party.  All entertainment would finish by 23.00

The Objector was concerned about noise pollution and sound in the flats above the premises.  The Licensing Team Leader confirmed, when asked, that the current tenant in the flat above had not raised any complaints with Licensing.

The Licensing Team Leader suggested that a condition could be added to the licence if members were minded to approve, that entertainment would be allowed on Friday, Saturday and one other night only.

The applicant was happy with this suggestion with the caveat of including permission for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve entertainment.  He wanted to keep his neighbours happy and asked that they speak to him if they had any concerns.

Proposed by Cllr Barron, seconded by Cllr Heatley.

Decision: That the press and the public be excluded for the following item(s) 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 for a period of ten years, with the mandatory conditions, the conditions consistent with the Operating Schedule and the additional condition added by the Licensing Sub-Committee.

An application has been made for a new premises licence for Wells Cottage in Bedchester near Shaftesbury. The application has been out to public consultation and has attracted relevant representations. A Licensing Sub-Committee must consider the application and representations at a public hearing. 

The Licensing Team Leader introduced the application for new licence for a luxury bed and breakfast accommodation in Bedchester.

The application sought to permit the sale of alcohol between 12.00 and 23.00 when there were guests on the premises only.

There were no questions for the Licensing Team Leader.

The applicant was invited to put forward his case.  His business plan was to provide bespoke, tailored, high end, all-inclusive holidays to American clients.  There would be a maximum of 6 guests in the cottage at any time.  The target market was more mature clients and couples, many were non drinkers but the applicant wanted to offer wine with meals and maybe cocktails.

The objector to the application was not present at the meeting.

Following an opportunity for all parties to ask questions of each other, the applicant and Licensing Team Leader were given the opportunity to sum up.

Proposed by Cllr Barron, seconded by Cllr Heatley.

Decision: That the press and the public be excluded for the following item(s) 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.

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 1 of Part 1 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variations) Order 2006 – EXEMPT INFORMATION 

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

Proposed by Cllr Barron, seconded by Cllr Heatley.

Decision: That the press and the public be excluded for the following item(s) 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 Licensing Team Leader presented the application to consider whether an applicant for a hackney carriage drivers’ licence was a fit and proper person to hold the licence after a motoring offence that attracted 6 points was revealed during the application process.  

There was a recommendation that the applicant be required to re-take and pass the driver assessment course should the sub-committee be minded to approve the application.

All parties were given the opportunity to ask questions of each other, the applicant was invited to put their case forward following which everyone was invited to sum up.

The sub-committee retired to make their decision.

Decision That the renewal application for the Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence is granted and that the applicant must re-take and pass the driver assessment course within 6 months of the date of this decision notice.