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 Les Fry, seconded by Cllr Louise Bown.

Decision: that Cllr Derek Beer be elected as Chair for the duration of the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs David Shortell and Kate Wheller, substituted by Cllrs Louise Bown and Les Fry.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests 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.

Cllr Les Fry declared that he used to work with Mr Yeoman 9 years ago when he was serving with the Police.

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 by Dorset Police to review the premises licence at the Eats and Drinks store in Weymouth.  A Licensing Sub Committee must consider the application and representations from all parties at a public hearing.

The Licensing Team Leader introduced the report to review a premises licence brought by Dorset Police. The licence was for off sales of alcohol between 7.00 and 23.00 hours every day and there were no conditions on the licence apart from mandatory conditions.

Sargeant Gosling on behalf of Dorset Police addressed the Sub-Committee. He explained that he had helped Kirsty Gatehouse manage the premises in regard to providing advice and had visited the premises multiple times. It was a difficult area to operate however, Dorset Police had high expectations of all licensees to ensure that the licensing objectives were promoted but felt that these had not been upheld fully over the past months/years. As there were established practices that did not uphold the licensing objectives and had a detrimental impact on the town.

In response to questions from Cllr Les Fry regarding what actions had been taken. Kirsty Gatehouse responded that before concerns had been raised by local hoteliers, the review was in process. Dorset Police heard concerns outside of the time when people could make their own representations. The complaints pertained to lots of people hanging around outside the shop that were sometimes intoxicated and abusive. Dorset Police last summer went around to all of the convenience stores and informed them of the issues that were occurring to do with alcohol related antisocial behaviour. She explained that Eats and Drinks was quite reluctant to make lasting changes as they believed lots of people wanted to buy single cans of alcohol. The street drinking community that caused most of the antisocial behaviour were often homeless and struggle financially and made most of their money through begging, finding or stealing. It was easier to buy single cans of strong alcohol at a time and go back and forth when they acquired money. She had visited a number of times last year and spoken to Jay and his wife about the issues that they were experiencing. They did not fully appreciate the concerns that were raised. At the end of November last year, the Police Cadets conducted a purchasing exercise and Eats and Drinks did not pass this test purchase, in which a warning was sent out. But she did not want this to be taken into consideration by the Sub-Committee.      

Mr Rajesh on behalf of the licence holder addressed the Sub-Committee. He explained that the test purchase conducted by the Police Cadets was the exception as all the other tests by trading standards had passed. Mr Jayasuthan had operated the business for 22 years and Ms Jayasuthan owns the business. They knew all the customers and the premises played a big role in the local community and engaged in local charities and events. During lockdown the premises offered free home deliveries to vulnerable people.

The Sub-Committee adjourned at 11.15 for the Police to consider if they accepted the additional information submitted by Mr Rajesh.

The Sub-Committee resumed at 11.45 and the Police agreed to accept the additional information submitted.

The Sub-Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

There are no exempt items scheduled for this meeting.  

There was no exempt business.