Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs Bosworth, Mrs Gaffigan and H G Wheat.

Members are asked to declare an interest in matters for consideration at the meeting.

There were none declared.

                                                                                                            (Enclosure)

The minutes of the meeting held on 4^th November 2005 were confirmed as a correct record of decisions taken.

Decision:-

1. That a hearing into the applications for grant of a premises licence for Mi Familia, St Mary’s Passage, Stamford; Otters Pocket, All Saints Street, Stamford and Panama Joes, Cheyne Lane, Stamford is unnecessary;

and

2. That the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing be authorised to take the appropriate action in respect of the licence in accordance with the schedule of licensing objectives submitted with the respective applications, and as amended.

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing informed the committee that objections had been received to all the above-mentioned applications for grant of a licence, but following discussion with the complainant or police, the objections had been withdrawn.  In the case of Mi Familia and Panama Joes, representations from the Lincolnshire Police had been discussed with the applicant and appropriate amendments made which had resulted in the police objections being withdrawn.  In the case of the Otters Pocket, the complainant had discussed his concerns about noise pollution with the applicant and had also written to withdraw his objection.  The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing therefore requested that the committee agree that hearings would be unnecessary and that he be permitted to take appropriate action in respect of the licences.  It was proposed and seconded accordingly and on being put to the vote, the proposition was carried.

Decision:-

1. That a hearing into the application for variation of an existing licence in respect of Asda Supermarket, Grantham is unnecessary;

and

2. That the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing be authorised to take the appropriate action in respect of the licence in accordance with the schedule of licensing objectives submitted with the application.

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing informed the committee that there had been an objection to the variation of the above application based on opening on Christmas and Easter Days.  The applicant had, however, now withdrawn the application in respect of these openings, in writing, and as there was now no objection, the application should therefore be granted as of right.  The Corporate Manager confirmed that as the application was not now subject to an objection, in those circumstances there was no alternative but to agree that a hearing was not necessary, and to authorise the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing to take the appropriate action in respect of the licence.  Following a discussion, it was proposed and seconded accordingly, and on being put to the vote, the proposition was carried.

The committee generally discussed their concerns at under-age and after-hours drinking.  It was pointed out that much of the under-age drinking resulted from alcohol being available as off-sales at supermarkets and other shops, although there was also concern at the availability of alcohol on licensed premises for under-age drinking.

A member pointed out that funding was available, under a DCMS initiative, to enable the police to mount operations to counteract this trend and it was agreed that Inspector Rose be invited to address the committee on local police proposals to counteract under-age and after-hours drinking.

Decision:-

That the application for a premise licence in respect of The Five Bells, Brook Street, Grantham be agreed for the following hours for the sale of alcohol:-

          10.00hrs to 00.00hrs – Sunday to Wednesday

          10.00hrs to 01.00hrs – Thursday to Saturday

and subject to thirty minutes drinking up time, and subject also to the following:-

1. That there shall be no entry or re-entry to the premises after 23.30hrs on any day.

2. That all music, including from the jukebox, shall finish at 23.30hrs every day.

3. That the applicant be required to display signs at all exits requiring customers to leave the premises and the area quietly.

Note to applicant – applicant to be advised to seek advice from the Licensing Officer in relation to issues surrounding the residents’ licence for the premises.

The committee had before them the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing’s report ENV331 in relation to an application for the grant of a premises licence for The Five Bells, Brook Street, Grantham.  A full copy of the application was attached at appendix one, including a map of the premises, and attached at appendix two was a letter from the applicant confirming agreement to opening and closing hours, an e-mail detailing objections from a neighbouring resident and a letter from Lincolnshire Police setting out representations with regard to the application.

The Corporate Manager, in introducing the application, clarified the speakers and confirmed that there was a local resident present who had sought permission to speak, and was accompanied by his solicitor.  The applicant attended and also present was PC Stanley from Lincolnshire Police.

The Chairman sought and received confirmation that all parties had received and understood the procedure to be followed.

In introducing the report, the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing outlined the application and reminded the committee that negotiations had taken place with the police and applicants and the opening time for the sale of alcohol had now been changed to 10am and there would be no entry or re-entry to the premises after 11.30pm.  He also drew the attention of the committee to the e-mail from the objector which was attached to the report.

The applicant presented her case.  She pointed out that there had not been a history of complaints related to the premises and a former neighbour of seventeen years had only had cause to complain on one occasion.  In answering questions from the committee, the applicant confirmed that she had not met with her neighbour, but was prepared to do so.  In relation to the licensing hours there was no intention to open the premises for people to consume alcohol on the way back home from premises in the town centre.  She confirmed that a notice could be put up asking customers to leave the premises and the area quietly and to ask taxis to wait on the other side of the road.  It was also confirmed that there would be no objection to music stopping at 11.30pm and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 155.

The meeting closed at 10.35am.