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 Haynes and seconded by Cllr Williams.

Decision:

To elect Cllr Beer 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 to review the late-night refreshment premises licence for Surfside Diner, 31 New Street, Weymouth. The application has been out to public consultation.  A Licensing Sub-Committee must therefore consider the application and representations at a public hearing. 

Reconvened hearing following the adjournment of the hearing on 23 July 2026.

The Senior Licensing Officer outlined the report. An application had been made to review the late-night refreshment premises licence for Surfside Diner, 31 New Street, Weymouth. The application had been out to public consultation. A Licensing Sub-Committee therefore had to consider the application and representations at a public hearing.

The Licence holders were not in attendance.

The applicant from the Home Office made some highlights from the report including the importance of preventing illegal working within the UK. There was evidence of actions which showed the worker was not someone assisting with work but had undertaken a role within the business before any checks had been made. The concern was that an individual had been admitted working before any check had been completed and was no less important to complete during periods of transition.

A question was raised regarding any family connections between the previous licence holder and the new holder as a transfer had recently been completed. There was a connection in regard to both licence holders through the sponsorship of a visa for the new licence holders wife.

Decision:

To revoke the Premises Licence.

An application has been made for a new premises licence for The Community Centre, Station Road, Child Okeford, Blandford, DT11 8EL. 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 Senior Licensing Officer outlined the report. An application had been made for a new premises licence for The Community Centre, Station Road, Child Okeford, Blandford, DT11 8EL. The application had been out to public consultation. Representations have been received. A Licensing Sub-Committee therefore had to consider the application and representations at a public hearing.

The applicants brought forth their representation. A brief background of Child Okeford was given regarding number of residents, amenities and facilities, and reasons for requiring an alcohol licence. Post Covid the amenities became very underused resources. There were plans to invest however it was going to be very costly. The Parish council created a project to bring these resources back into use and then move on to repairs of the building. The licence would bring in revenue to pay for the remainder of the repairs and redecorations within the village hall. Previous evidence from events held at the Community Centre had led to a positive amount of revenue raised. There had been no alcohol related issues mentioned within the village. They looked at the hiring agreement and felt it needed an update resulting in a comprehensive process to make sure safeguarding and safety is kept to a high standard. Any alcohol would not be stored at the premises, and there would not be a bar created to sell alcohol.

A question was raised regarding if any wider members of the community had expertise that they use and should welcome involvement and encourage volunteers.

The objector outlined his representation. There was a discussion regarding the equality act. Reasonable adjustments needed to be made such as the car park which fire consultants had stated that a fire engine would not be able to turn and access the community centre. The Community Centre fire doors needed to comply with 120 people as low risk to allow wheelchairs. The front door did not meet the criteria to comply with fire safety. The back door has a twist unlock which cannot be opened by a disabled user and requires a reasonable adjustment.

The objector’s experience was questioned, which he replied that he had a property portfolio from a young age which led to experience in risk assessment and compliance with policy and regulation.

A discussion was had regarding the last time a fire risk assessment was completed. The panel were informed the last assessment was in May through an external assessor. The fire risk assessment did not make the building compliant with legislation by itself.

Decision:

To GRANT a premises licence with the usual mandatory conditions save that the alternative licence condition under section 25A of the Licencing Act 2003 replaces the mandatory conditions otherwise required by section 19(2) & (3) of the Licensing Act 2003.

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.