Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Chivers, Councillor Vic Kerr, Councillor Russell, Councillor Susan Sandall, Councillor Rowlands and Councillor Turner. 

The application before the Committee had already been part heard therefore, both Councillors Rowlands and Turner had submitted their apologies as they did not attend the meeting when the application had previously been discussed.  Councillor Chivers tendered his apologies as he left part way through discussion of the application.

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

None declared.

                                                                                                            (Enclosure)

The minutes of the meeting held on 22nd December were agreed as a correct record of the decisions taken.

Report ENV563 by the Community Safety and Licensing Service Manager.

(Enclosure)

Decision

That the conditions on the Premises Licence for 90 Degrees, 78 Westgate, Grantham be modified as agreed between the licence holder and Lincolnshire Police.

The Licensing Officer submitted report ENV563 which concerned the review of a premises licence for 90 Degrees, 78 Westgate, Grantham.  The application had been  heard at the meeting held on 22nd December at which the Committee had agreed to remove the Designated Premises Supervisor and adjourned any further decision until the premises licence had been transferred to the new owners.  The Licensing Officer informed the Committee that the transfer of the premise licence had taken place and a meeting had been held with the new owners and Lincolnshire Police at which the conditions appended to the premises licence had been discussed.  It had been agreed that the existing conditions were not clear enough and contained ambiguous conditions, such as referring to a Challenge 21 on one page of the conditions and Challenge 25 on another page.  It was agreed that a Challenge 21 condition would be used as Challenge 25 condition would mean that the premises would be at a disadvantage with other premises and this was more aimed at Supermarkets than clubs.

Conditions relating to CCTV, drugs and recording incidents had all been agreed with both the owners and the Police.   The owners had also agreed to have polycarbonate glasses which would be provided in the first instance by the police but would be replaced by the owners as and when required.  Bottles would still be glass; however, incidents of glassing were usually done with a glass as opposed to a bottle.  A DPS had yet to be appointed but both of the new owners were undertaking training in this area and carrying out works to the premise. At this stage as the premises would be under new ownership the police felt that it was not proportionate for any further conditions to be attached.

A Member asked about the collection of drugs from the premises and the time taken which the Licensing Officer replied should not happen in the future.

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that the conditions be modified as agreed between the parties. 

The following items of business were raised under urgent business due to the need to inform Members of timescales.

Night time economy – visits with police

The Licensing Officer informed the Committee that the visit to Stamford would take place on Saturday 25th February and Members who would be attending should inform the Licensing Officer. Members did raise concern about the date as some would be attending a civic function that night.  The Licensing Officer indicated that due to the Police scheduling this could not be rearranged.

It was agreed that the Grantham visit which had been proposed for the following night would be cancelled due to the forecast of bad weather (snow and freezing temperatures).

Changes to the Licensing Act

The Licensing Officer informed the Committee that a day’s training had been arranged for Tuesday 20th March. All Members of the Licensing Committee must attend the training as it concerned changes to the Licensing Act and would affect the decisions that they made. The training would also be open to Members from other Local Authorities who sat on Licensing Committees.

Proposed Taxi Rank – Star Lane, Stamford

The Licensing Officer informed Members that consultation would shortly be undertaken with regard to having a taxi rank on Star Lane in Stamford.  A meeting had been held with the Highways Authority who were agreeable to the taxi rank being placed at Star Lane.  Currently there was no parking between 7am and 7pm.  The reason for this item coming before the Committee again was that the taxis were no longer allowed to use the bus station as this was a contravention of legislation.  If no objections to the consultation were received the rank would be moved, however if representations were received the issue would come before the Committee.  

Meeting closed at 10.25am.