Agenda item

12:15 – Councillor Mrs. Percival returned to the meeting.

Decision:-

That the application for variation to a premises licence in respect of The New Inn, Folkingham be granted as applied for with the amendment that the times for the screening of films and television events should cease at the same time as the sale of alcohol and subject to thirty minutes drinking up time.

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 ENV336 by the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing in relation to an application to vary a premises licence in respect of the New Inn, Folkingham. A full copy of the application was attached as appendix 1, including a map of the premises. Attached at appendix 2 were 12 letters of representation and a petition containing 24 representations from residents.

The Committee Support Officer introduced the applications and clarified the names of the applicant, her representative and those 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. The application for variation covered additional licensable activities. Members asked questions on the nature of the additional licensable activities.

The applicants stated their case and explained that they wished to vary the licence to allow an annual beer festival over one weekend in July and August, race themed evenings and other regulated entertainment. Permission was also sought for late night refreshments, i.e. tea and coffee to be served until closing time. When questioned by Committee members about the time at which the television would be turned off, the applicant agreed to switch it off at 23:00 to coincide with the last sale of alcohol.

The members of the public who spoke against the application said there were concerns over the generation of noise – formal complaints about which had been made previously – additional traffic and parking problems. The Environment Health Manager questioned whether formal complaints had been made about the parking. One complaint had been sent to Environmental Health, and the Parish Council had also discussed it. Members of the Committee asked questions about the concerns raised by the local residents.

In summing up, the Environmental Health Manager reminded the Committee that the application was for a variation to increase the number of licensable activities. No variation was requested for the times for the sale of alcohol; however, an additional 10 minutes drinking up time had been requested.

The applicant summarised why the variation was required and stated that they had suggested to members of the Parish Council, the introduction of a residents’ parking scheme.

The Committee Support Officer sought confirmation that the applicant had agreed that the time at which the television should be turned off was 23:00. The applicant confirmed this to be the case.

The officers, applicant and members of the public left the meeting.

The Committee discussed the application in terms of the representations received and the variations requested. It was proposed and seconded that the application should be granted as per the application with the modification agreed as to the time that the television should be switched off. The Committee felt it would be appropriate to ask the applicant to display a sign asking customers to leave quietly and felt that residents should be advised that the licence would be reviewable. Residents should also be advised of the appropriate authorities to contact in relation to car parking. This was duly voted upon and agreed.

The officers and applicant re-entered the meeting and were advised of the decision as noted above. They were advised that the licence was reviewable at any time following a request from any interested party. The members of the public who were present were told that parking was a matter for Lincolnshire County Council or, if any laws are contravened, the police.