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 Les Fry, seconded by Cllr Jane Somper.

Decision: Cllr Derek Beer be elected as chair for the duration 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.

An application has been made for a new premises licence for 55 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3AX. The application has been out to public consultation. Representations have been received. A Licensing Sub-Committee must therefore consider the application and representations at a public hearing.

The Licensing Officer outlined the application for 55 Cheap Street. The application included live music indoors on New Years Eve between 23:00 and 02:00, recorded music on New Years Eve between 23:00 and 02:00, late night refreshments for indoors and outdoors Monday to Sunday between 23:00 to 00:00 and New Years Eve 23:00 to 02:00, and Alcohol sales on and off the premises from 22:00 to 00:00 and New Years Eve 22:00 to 02:00. There were no representations from responsible authorities. There were eight relevant representations made from members of the public.

Jeena Khela, Solicitor for the applicant, introduced the background to the service. It was understood that the objections may be misrepresentative of the service that will be provided and referred to the information pack. The business was a food establishment and have over 300 informal café/bars across the country that are family friendly. A community feel is generated from the shop. From their statistics the post dinner/drinking parts of the evening were the least busy times. They were prideful of the varied menu that the lounge provides and explained that there was huge emphasis on staff engagement with the local agreement. Teams would engage and speak to local businesses and research the history to consider local needs so that each lounge is specific to the area they are based. Their staff were encouraged to work with local charities; an example was given where they provided 50p per burger/coffee sale to a local charity. There was an initiative called chatty café for specific age groups to be encouraged to come together. Places where local sports teams do not have a place to go would be provided a space. Explained Lounge aid as a fundraising event that works with a local charity over two months.

They appreciate some want a reduced time for alcohol sales, the reason for the 00:00 license was to cover all bases even though they will most likely end sales at 23:00. They stated the application covers all the licensing objectives,  the Police were the experts regarding crime and disorder and they had not submitted any objections to the application. Objections were noted regarding the need for such a premises but that is not a concern for the application. It was raised that an objector referenced an issue with glasses outside, however there was no license for outdoor drinking on this application, and patrons would not be allowed outside with glasses. A strict challenge 25 policy would cover the issue of proximity to the local school and is in effect across all lounges with training provided to prevent this risk. There was no evidence of other branches experiencing antisocial behaviour. The national licensing policy Nov 25 emphasised that there was a real need for licences to support business investment. The addition of this new venue would be an asset providing employment to the area.

Grant, Operation Manager for Somerset Area, included that all teams across 300 stores were active and engaged with the community and they  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

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.

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.