Agenda and draft minutes

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube.

Councillor Crofts was appointed Chair for the Sub-Committee Hearing.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To determine any other items of business which the Chair decides should be considered as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

There were no declarations of interest.

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and declared that the Sub-Committee was sitting to consider an application of a variation to a premises licence for The Chequers, 7 Church Road, Wimbotsham.

The Sub-Committee, Borough Council Officers and Legal Advisor were introduced and their roles explained.

The Chair explained that Councillor Bhondi was observing the Hearing for training purposes.

The Applicant Kim Brockhouse and Steve Mingay (Parish Councillor) accompanying the applicant introduced themselves.

All parties confirmed that fifteen minutes would be sufficient to present their case.

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube.

At the request of the Chair, the Legal Advisor outlined the procedure which would be followed at the Hearing.

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube.

At the request of the Chair, the Licensing Officer presented her report as included in the Agenda and highlighted the variation which was being applied for, the agreed additional conditions and conditions consistent with the operating schedule.

The Sub-Committee was informed that there had been no representations from Responsible Authorities, eleven representations in objection to the application and nine representations in support of the application.  The Licensing Officer confirmed that five of the objections had now been withdrawn and requested that the Sub-Committee disregard these objections in determining the matter.

The Licensing Officer informed those present that the relevant notice had been displayed at the premises and on the Council’ website.  She outlined the error that had been contained in the original site notice and that following the error, all Interested Parties had been contacted and invited to a meeting to clarify the error.

In response to a question from Steve Mingay, the Licensing Officer explained that relevant objections had all been included in the Agenda.

There were no Interested Parties present at the Hearing.

Click here to view the recording of this Item on You Tube.

The Applicant and representative presented their case.  The applicant stated that most of the objections had been as a result of the incorrect notice being posted and causing confusion.  The Applicant had engaged with villagers and held a meeting and explained that many objections had now been withdrawn.  The Applicant felt that the remaining objections were ones that had not yet been withdrawn as perhaps the objector was unaware that they had to formally withdraw.

The Applicant explained that the villagers wanted the pub to stay open and be successful.

The Applicant stated that they had worked with the Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Team at the Council and purchased sound level measuring equipment and took recordings, which were submitted to the Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Team every two weeks.

Steve Mingay, who was accompanying the Applicant stated that lots of pubs were closing down and the village wanted this one to continue.  He referred to previous community events and the impact of Covid.

Steve Mingay explained that Sunday events accommodated those musicians that had other gigs on Fridays and Saturdays.

Steve Mingay explained that he had been working with villages regarding sound issues and had given residents his contact details so that they could let him know if they had any issues.  He stated that records of sound levels were kept and he felt that there was good cooperation between the pub and local residents.

In response to questions from the Licensing Officer, the Applicant explained that a briefing sheet was handed out to musicians and included the necessity for two twenty-minute breaks between each session.  The Applicant stated that she would have no objection to this being imposed as a condition if required.

The Licensing Manager referred to the 90 decibel maximum level which the Applicant had been working to and the Applicant confirmed that she would have no objection to this being imposed as a condition if required.

Councillor Rust questioned the comments made within the report about the inappropriate siting of the public notice and the Applicant confirmed that this had been put up by Borough Council Officers.

In response to a question from Councillor Tyler, the Applicant explained that there were approximately 25 car parking spaces to the rear of the premises and nearby parking was also available at the Village Hall and Recreational Ground.

In response to a question from Councillor Crofts, the Applicant stated that she was not the current Designated Premises Supervisor.

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube

The Licensing Officer summed up her case and reminded the Sub-Committee that they should consider all the information included in the Agenda and put forward at the Hearing today and dispose of the matter using one of the methods as set out in the report.

No Interested Parties were present at the Hearing.

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube.

The Applicant stated that she would continue to work with the Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Team and would promote open dialogue with villagers so that any issues could be resolved.  She explained that it was in her interest to run the event well and comply with any necessary conditions.

The Legal Adviser stated that there were no outstanding matters.

The Chair explained that the Sub-Committee would retire to make their decision in private, accompanied by the Democratic Services Officer for administrative purposes and the Legal Advisor for specific points of law and procedure.

All parties agreed that Councillor Bhondi and Amy Pearce could remain present for the decision making process for training purposes.

All parties were then called back into the room and the decision of the Sub-Committee was read out.  A copy of the decision notice is attached.