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 Sarah Williams, seconded by Cllr Andrew Starr.

Decision: that Cllr Susan Cocking be elected as chairman for the duration of the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Brian Heatley, Mike Barron and Les Fry, substituted by Cllrs Sarah Williams and Andrew Starr.

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 for a new premises licence for Asda Express on the A31 at the Red Post Garage site in Winterborne Zelston.  The application has been out to public consultation and has attracted relevant representations.  A Licensing Sub Committee must consider the application and representations at a public hearing.

The Licensing Team Leader presented the report for a new premises licence for Asda Winterborne Zelston. Historically the site had been a garage and a shop and a Little Chef restaurant and was licensed to sell alcohol 09:00hrs to 23:00 hrs each day and the Little Chef until midnight for alcohol and 12.30 for late night refreshment. The ASDA Express store was granted planning permission so the application will just consider the addition to the shelves of the alcohol and late-night refreshment coffee only. A number of representations focused on the potential McDonalds that was alleged to go in the empty unit at the side. But the hearing only related to ASDA Express.

The solicitor for the applicant, Mr Richard Taylor informed that the application was to re-licence the premises as it was surrendered back in 2020 and that it was not a licence that was lost through any difficulties or problems and was effectively handed back because the operators at the time did not want to use it. He added that ASDA was a company that served millions of customers per week, with more than 1000 stores and had considerable experience of licensing, good policies and practices. The application was originally for 24 hours alcohol sales and late-night refreshment limited to hot drinks from 11 to 5 am.

He added that the premises currently opened 24 hours a day, and an offer was made to the residents to reduce these hours to 6 until midnight. The store would be operated with digital CCTV, full staff training, spirits and high value products behind counter, challenge 25 supported by till prompts and independent test purchasing organisation to ensure colleagues are applying the training they had received. Many issues raised in the representations were not relevant such as, car parking, potential fast-food outlet, road safety and highways. There would be no additional deliveries to the site or an increase in noise or litter.  In addition, he raised that it did not relate that just because alcohol was sold from the premises that there would be an increase in drink driving in the area. The relevant authorities and police had no problems with the licence. The applicant was also happy to accept the condition requested by Dorset Police that a night hatch would be used from 10pm to 6am.

All parties were given the opportunity to have their say and sum up.

Decision

To GRANT a Premises Licence with the usual mandatory conditions, the conditions consistent with the Operating Schedule and requested by Dorset Police, and a condition limiting the Late-Night Refreshment to hot drinks only, as set out below, to permit the following:

Late Night Refreshment

Every day 2300 – 2400

The supply of alcohol

Every day 0600 – 2400

Opening Hours

Every day 0000 – 2400

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.  

There are no exempt items scheduled for this meeting.  

There was no exempt business.