Agenda item

10:49            Councillor Mrs. Percival left the room before the consideration of this agenda item, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest.

Decision:-

That the application for a premises licence for the Masonic Hall, All Saints Street Stamford, be granted as applied for, subject to the following condition:

1.                  All external doors and windows shall be kept closed when regulated entertainment is being provided except in the event of an emergency.

Note – the applicant is requested to display signs at the exits to the premises requesting the customers to leave the premises quietly.

The Committee had before them report number ENV334 by the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing in respect of a premises for the Masonic Hall, All Saints Street, Stamford. A full copy of the application was attached at appendix 1 together with a map of the premises. Attached at appendix 2 were letters of representation from 6 interested parties.

The Committee Support Officer introduced the application and clarified the names of the representatives from the Masonic Hall and two members of the public who had given notification that they wished to speak.

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

The Environmental Health Manager introduced the report and outlined the application to the Committee and the representations that had been received. He explained that the application had not been transferred during the transition period because provisions in place with the club certificate would not transfer under new legislation. He stated that no representations had been received from the police.

The applicant’s representative explained that a licence that included off-sales was required to facilitate a wine distribution point in the cellar of the building. The main premises provided facilities for the lodge, dinners and bar facilities. The premises had also been used for selected private functions, all of which had been supervised by the Events Manager. Questions were asked of the applicant to clarify the details of the application and whether the premises had CCTV coverage.

Two members of the public raised issues concerning noise disturbance, access to the premises and concerns about an increase in licensable activities with the increase in hours. Members of the Committee asked questions on the representations made by the members of the public.

In summing up the Environmental Health Manager reminded the committee that the application they had heard was for a premises licence including provision for on and off sales of alcohol, regulated entertainment and provision of facilities for regulated entertainment. He also reminded the committee that six local residents had made representations.

The applicant reiterated the purposes for which the premises were used, including selected private functions. He also stated that no objections had been received from statutory partners.

The applicants and officers then left the meeting.

The Committee discussed and considered the applicants’ submissions and the representations made by members of the public. It was proposed and seconded that the application should be granted for the hours and activities requested but that a condition should be imposed requiring external doors to remain closed during regulated entertainment. The Committee also agreed that the applicant should be asked to display notices near doors requesting that customers leave quietly.  This was voted upon and duly agreed.

The applicants and the officers returned to the meeting and were advised of the decision as noted above. The Committee Support Officer also advised the applicants that the Committee’s decision could be reviewed at any time if any issues connected with the application arose in the future.