Agenda item

(a)               APPLICATION FOR THE VARIATION OF A PREMISES LICENCE FOR MILLSTONE INN, 1 ALL SAINTS STREET, STAMFORD

(The appendices to the report at agenda item 4a are attached for Committee Members only. If any other Members wish to see the supporting information, please contact the Service Manager, Environmental Protection)

Decision:-

That the application for the variation of a premises licence in respect of the Millstone Inn, 1 All Saints Street, Stamford, be agreed as applied for with the following conditions:-

1.                  That no person under the age of 18 years unless accompanied by a parent or guardian shall be permitted on the premises after 7:00pm in accordance with guidance from the Secretary of State and the Council’s licensing policy, to prevent such persons suffering moral, psychological or physical harm;

2.                  The joining of the Stamford Pubwatch scheme, in order to reduce instances of crime and disorder;

3.                  Subscribing to the “Challenge Under 21” proof of age policy in order to address issues in relation to under-age drinking (“No I.D. – No Service”);

4.                  No glasses or glass bottles are to be removed from the premises by patrons;

5.                  Where the premises are open beyond midnight, then a minimum number of two doorstaff for the first 100 customers and one door staff per 100 customers thereafter, registered with the SIA, shall be on duty from  9:00pm.

The Committee had before them report number ENV364 by the Service Manager, Environmental Protection in relation to an application to vary a premises licence in respect of the Millstone Inn, 1 All Saints Street, Stamford. A plan showing the location of the premises was attached at appendix 1, a full copy of the application at appendix 2 and a copy of the objection made by the police was attached at appendix 3. Representations were also received from one member of the public.

In introducing the report, the Environmental Health Practitioner stated that the application was for the variation of a premises licence to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol and allow children into the bar up to 9:00pm when accompanied by a parent/guardian. Representations had been received from Lincolnshire Police who objected to the application on two grounds: the Designated Premises Supervisor did not seem to supervise the premises and allegations over the sale of alcohol to people under the age of 18 years.

The applicant and the police had discussed the application and the police had agreed to withdraw their objection subject to conditions being added to the licence. A copy of the letter sent by Lincolnshire Police withdrawing their representation was circulated at the meeting. Written confirmation had been received from the Millstone stating that they were happy to adhere to the suggested conditions.

Inspector Rose from Lincolnshire Police confirmed that an agreement had been reached between the police and the applicant and stated that the police objection to the application for variation had been withdrawn subject to the licence meeting the following conditions: that the applicant should join the Stamford Pubwatch Scheme, subscribe to the government-led Challenge 21 proof of age policy, commit to not allow patrons to remove glasses or glass bottles from the premises and that, were the premises to be open beyond midnight, SIA registered door staff would be on duty from 9:00pm with a ratio of two door staff to the first 100 customers and one member of door staff per 100 customers thereafter.

Members of the Committee asked questions regarding the application, which included the layout of the premises, whether it was appropriate for children to be on the premises until 9:00pm and why the Designated Premises Supervisor had been absent. Committee Members were concerned children should only be permitted in the pub if they were eating.

The officers and police representative left the meeting.

The Committee discussed the application in conjunction with the licensing objectives. They discussed whether allowing children on the premises until 9:00pm constituted a harm. The Committee also suggested that the police should be asked to monitor the premises. It was proposed, seconded and agreed that the licence should be granted as applied for subject to the conditions suggested by the police. The Committee also agreed an additional condition: that no person under the age of 18 years be permitted on the premises after 7:00pm, in accordance with Secretary of State Guidance and South Kesteven District Council’s Licensing Policy to protect children from moral, psychological and physical harm.

The officers and police representative returned to the meeting. The Clerk to the Committee informed them of the decision as noted above. He added that the licence and its conditions were reviewable by any interested party at any time.

(10:40 Councillor Wheat left the meeting)