Agenda and draft minutes

To elect a Chairman for the meeting and the Chairman to present and explain the procedure for the meeting.

Proposed by Cllr Parker, seconded by Cllr Williams.

Decision: that Cllr Andrews 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 the Native Willow, 6 Quarterjack Mews, East Street, Wimborne, BH21 1DS. 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 presented an application for a new premises licence for live and recorded music, and the sale of alcohol, between 11.00am and 11.00pm Sunday to Thursday and 11.00am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Outdoor live music was proposed between March and October, with Friday and Saturday events restricted to private functions.

All Responsible Authorities were consulted. No representations were received other than from Dorset Police, who initially objected on the grounds of concerns relating to the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety, citing a lack of detail within the application and limited engagement from the applicant. The objection was subsequently withdrawn following the submission of an amended risk assessment and agreement to conditions requiring the installation and maintenance of CCTV.

Five relevant representations were received from members of the public, including Wimborne Town Council, raising concerns regarding public nuisance, public safety, and the prevention of crime and disorder, particularly in relation to noise and alcohol-related disturbance.

The applicant attended the hearing and was accompanied by Lisa Turner. Mr Philip Stevens was unable to attend the hearing to speak in opposition to the application but submitted a summary of his concerns for the Sub-Committee’s consideration. This further representation was shared with and read by the Sub-Committee in advance of the hearing.

Ms Bailey, on behalf of the applicant, explained that Native Willow was a community-focused café and retail premises, and that the licence was intended to facilitate occasional private events and functions rather than operate as a late-night bar or nightclub. She advised that customers would be required to move indoors by 9.00pm on weekdays and 10.00pm at weekends, with outdoor access after 11.00pm restricted to smoking. For events SIA-registered door staff would be employed where necessary. It was stated that the primary purpose of the premises is to function as a café, with the sale of wine being ancillary to the provision of food. The hours applied for are intended principally to provide flexibility for occasional private events. The applicant advised that compliance with the premises licence conditions would form part of the venue hire agreement and that measures would be taken to ensure that patrons attending private events do not congregate outside the premises during weekdays.

Ms Bailey acknowledged a previous complaint relating to an event at the premises, advising that the event had been stopped and was an isolated occurrence. She stated that future events would primarily take place at weekends and reiterated that the premises would remain focused on its café operations. However, this occurred within the hours authorised by the Temporary Event Notice, and the music was switched off on receiving the complaint.

In response to Members’ questions, Ms Bailey advised that door staff would be used for larger private events, with a maximum attendance of around 30 people. She stated that any complaints from neighbours would be addressed through review of risk assessments, advance notification to residents, and direct engagement with those affected. She confirmed that CCTV would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

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.