Agenda and minutes

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

Resolved

That Cllr Les Fry be elected Chairman for the meeting. Cllr Fry provided a statement for the procedure of the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies for absence were received at the meeting.

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.

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 for consideration.

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 3 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.

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).

To consider a new premises licence for Sweet Hill Farm.

The Licensing Officer outlined the application for a new Premises Licence for Sweet Hill Farm, Portland and the activities and times being applied for - which were to permit the sale of alcohol (on and off the premises) from Monday to Saturday between the hours of 1200 to 2300 and Sunday between the hours of 1200 to 1600.

The description of the premises within the application was that it was a small seasonal campsite, horsebox and kitchen set amongst the grounds where a campsite and licensed riding school was run. The Licencing Officer provided a description of the topography of the site, its characteristics and facilities and the site’s relationship with residential amenity.

Dorset Police had requested additional conditions to go on the licence if it was granted and the applicant had agreed to this - with staff being fully trained in their responsibilities with regard to the sale of alcohol and being retrained every as necessary; Cctv being operational and; public safety and child protection requirements being wholly complied with.

There had been two representations received from interested parties relating to nuisance from noise and anti-social behaviour. The Licencing Officer explained though that the application did not include live or recorded music, which, in any event, would not be licensable under the Live Music Act 2012. Should music be required at any stage, a TENS could be applied for, as necessary. Concerns raised over previous noise disturbance seemingly arising from the site had been now confirmed to have arisen from a site other than this one.

There were no questions from the sub-committee or the Applicant for the Licensing Team Leader.

The Applicant was invited to put their case forward explaining that the sale of alcohol was designed to complement and enhance the camping experience – as necessary - and was seen to be a low-key operation given those activities that were being promoted and on the basis of those anticipated to partake. The site attracted an outdoor, sporting and recreational family friendly clientele engaging in such activities in that regard. Concerns that the features of the application would be to the detriment of the Atlantic Academy School were allayed in that the campsite was to run principally through the school summer holidays and was intended to be seasonal in that regard, given that the site would not be so attractive in the winter months. However, whilst the site was ‘seasonal’ in practice - being open from February half term to the October half term - the premises licence applied for was for all year round to enable a wedding or other celebration outside of popular camping months to be accommodated.

The Sub-committee were invited to ask questions of the Applicant, these included:-

·        what sort of experience with licenced premises.

Answer - not as such, but had worked in the catering industry for a number of years so understood the requirements of this

·        what compliance arrangements would be put in place to meet Dorset Police conditions.

Answer - fully  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.