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 Jon Andrews, seconded by Cllr David Taylor

Decision: that Cllr Emma Parker be elected as chairman for the duration of the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Sarah Williams and Paul Harrison, Substituted by Cllrs Jon Andrews, and David Taylor.

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.

A Temporary Event Notice (TEN) has been served on the Council to extend the hours for licensable activities at Hardy’s Hop House for a Young Farmers weekend. The TEN has been considered by the Police and Environmental Protection. The Police have served an Objection Notice. A Licensing Sub-Committee must consider the Notice and the Objection Notice at a public hearing. 

The Senior Licensing Team Leader presented the report for a Temporary Event

Notice (TEN) which had been served on the Licensing Authority by Mr Strickland for Hardy’s Hop House, 62 St Thomas Street, Weymouth. To cover the period from Thursday 2 March to Monday 6 March, with timings as follows Thursday 1200-0200 hours, Friday 0900-0400 hours, Saturday 0900-0500 hours, Sunday 0900-0200 hours and Monday 0900-0000 hours.

There were no questions for the Senior Licensing Officer from the sub-committee, Dorset Police, or the applicant’s representatives.

The applicant’s representative was invited to put their case forward.

Following sub-committee questions addressed to the applicant’s representatives there was a short adjournment to seek legal advice regarding the information submitted in the TEN and an error on the application form which limited the capacity of the venue to 50 people.

It was clarified the meeting would continue to go ahead, based on the evidence that was presented and that the application could be withdrawn and re-submitted by the applicant.

The Licensing Officer (Dorset Police) was invited to put their case forward.

Concerns were raised about the number of people attending the Young Farmers event and the lack of experience of staff for an event of this nature.  Similar premises that were permitted to stay open later had strict conditions imposed on their licence which Hardy’s Hop House did not.

All parties were given the opportunity to sum up their cases before the sub-committee retired to make their decision.

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 Jon Andrews, seconded by Cllr David Taylor.

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).

Decision: During the decision-making exempt meeting the TEN was withdrawn by the Applicant.