Agenda and minutes

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

Cllr J Andrews proposed that Cllr E Parker be elected as Chairman, seconded by Cllr L Fry

Decision

That Cllr E Parker be elected Chairman. 

Cllr Parker welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked all those present to introduce themselves.

It was proposed by Cllr J Andrews seconded by Cllr L Fry that the sub-committee move into exempt business for consideration of the summary review request.       

To receive any declarations of interest.

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 items of urgent business.

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 and 7 of Part 1 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). The public interest in maintaining the exemptions outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. 

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

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 1 and 7 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The Licensing Officer presented the report regarding a summary review of a premises licence for the Fat Cat Bar/Rumshack in Weymouth that had taken place on 17^th July 2020  and the request for consideration of representations against the interim steps which was to  suspend the licence pending a full review.  The premise licence holder was entitled to make representations against the interim steps at any time up to the date of full review hearing. 

Representations from the premises licence holder had been received by Dorset Council on 23 July 2020, requiring a hearing to be convened within 2 working days to consider the representations.  Members of the Sub-committee had received the written representations of the premises licence holder.  Under the procedure for the meeting the Sub-committee was required to consider whether the interim steps were appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives and to determine whether to withdraw or modify the steps taken.

Following the introduction of the report, the Chairman invited Mr Grunert, to address the Sub-committee on behalf of the premises licence holder. Mr Grunert explained in full the background to the matter and proposed 4 additional conditions in place of the licence suspension. The Chairman and Cllr J Andrews asked a number of questions to seek clarity on the conditions being proposed. 

Sergeant G Gosling representing Dorset Police was invited to address the Sub-committee and he set out in detail of the concerns raised by Dorset Police and the events that had let up to the request for a summary review.

After hearing all of the evidence presented by Mr Grunert on behalf of the premises licence holder and Sergeant G Gosling on behalf of Dorset Police the Chairman invited Mr Grunert to sum up and following his summary Mr Grunert was given the opportunity to ask questions of the Police representative. Sergeant G Gosling was then given the opportunity to sum up on behalf of Dorset Police.

At 12 noon the councillors retired in order to consider the decision.

At 12.22pm the councillors returned to the Sub-committee hearing and the Chairman read out the decision of the Sub-committee.  

Decision

That the interim step of suspending the Premises Licence for the Fat Cat Bar / Rumshack with immediate effect, shall remain in force pending the full review hearing.

Reasons for the Decision:

The Sub-committee considered the representations from the applicant and Dorset Police, the Licensing Act 2003, in particular Sections 53A – B of that Act, the S182 Guidance relating to expedited reviews, the licensing objectives, the Dorset Council (Weymouth and Portland) Statement of Licensing Policy 2016 and all of the information presented to them today and decided as follows:

1. The Sub-committee continued to believe that the interim step of suspending the premises licence pending the full expedited review hearing is a proportionate and appropriate measure to take to prevent serious crime and/or serious disorder occurring.

2. The Sub-committee were of the view that the other options suggested to them by the Premises Licence  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.