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 Fry, seconded by Cllr Andrews

Decision: that Cllr Emma Parker be elected 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 Les Fry and Jon Andrews.

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

An application has been made to review the premises licence for White Hart, Corn Market, Wimborne. The application has been out to public consultation.  A Licensing Sub-Committee must consider the application and representations at a public hearing. 

The Senior Licensing Officer presented the report for an application by Dorset Police to review the premises licence for White Hart, Corn Market, Wimborne, following an incident at the premises in November 2023 which had escalated and resulted in a large altercation outside the premises.

Marston’s Plc, the premises licence holder, had taken immediate action to remove the Designated Premises Supervisor from the White Hart’s premises licence and subsequently closed the premises.   Additional supplementary information and CCTV footage had been received and seen by the Sub-committee, however due to ongoing police investigations this could not be shown in the public domain.

The options available to the Sub-committee were highlighted.

In response to Member questions the Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that there had been no other previous reported concerns relating to the premises.

There were no questions from Dorset Police, Marston’s or the Corn Market Residents Association (CMRA).

The four members of the CMRA were invited to address the committee with their comments.

They referred to previous incidents involving drugs and raised concerns that the premises was well known for having drugs available. A probationary period was suggested for the new management to ensure that appropriate action was taken to turn the premises around.  Other concerns for residents included smoking outside the premises in Corn Market and noise levels.

The Sub-committee, Dorset Police, Marston’s and the Senior Licensing Officer were given the opportunity to ask questions of the CMRA members.

Following public representation, under the Regulations governing the hearing, it was decided that the public should be excluded from part of the hearing as there were matters that needed to be referred to which were not in the public domain.

Decision

That the press and the public be excluded for the remainder of the meeting 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 moved into private session where all parties were given the opportunity to put forward their case, ask questions of the other parties and invited to sum up their case prior to the Sub-committee retiring to make their decision.

Decision

To alter the hours during which licensable activities can take place and to modify the conditions of the premises licence.