Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Nominations for a Chairman of the Licensing Sub Committee were sought and it was

Resolved:

To elect Councillor Peter Hutton as Chairman for this meeting only.

To receive any apologies for absence and to note any substitutions.

There were no apologies or substitutions.

The Chairman notified all those present at the meeting that it was not being recorded by Wiltshire Council, but that the meeting could be recorded by the press or members of the public.

The Chairman reminded those present that any speakers that wished to remain and make a statement to the Sub Committee would be giving consent to there being the possibility that they would be recorded presenting this.

It was noted that those that had made a representation would not be identified by name within the minutes (other than those representing public bodies and Responsible Authorities).

The Chairman then asked if anyone present wished to withdraw from the meeting.  All parties confirmed they wished to remain in and take part in the Sub Committee hearing.

The Chairman explained the procedure to be followed at the hearing, as contained within the “Wiltshire Licensing Committee Procedural Rules for the Hearing of Licensing Act 2003 Applications” (Pages 5 to 10 of the Agenda refers).

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

To consider and determine an Application for a Premises Licence made by Hamish Quigley in respect of Bishops Cannings Cricket Club, Coate, Devizes.  The report of the Public Protection Officer (Licensing) is attached.

DECISION NOTICE

Eastern Area Licensing Sub Committee

Decision made on 19 March 2024

Application for a Premises Licence – BISHOPS CANNINGS CRICKET CLUB, COATE, WILTSHIRE, SN10 3LB

Decision:

Arising from consideration of the report, the evidence and submissions from all parties and having regard to the Statutory Guidance, the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and the Licensing Act 2003, the application for a Premises Licence in respect of BISHOPS CANNINGS CRICKET CLUB, COATE, WILTSHIRE, SN10 3LB be GRANTED for the licensable activities shown below:

With the following informative:

To notify attendees, including away teams and supporters, that no alcohol is to be brought onto site, with a notice to be displayed on site to this effect.

The Applicant

The applicant informed the Sub Committee that a Premises Licence was being applied for to provide increased hospitality to guests during cricket matches. The applicant was confident that granting the licence would not impact the four licensing objectives.

The premises was described as busy with many games per week including youth teams, with players and guests from both teams present from mid-morning to late in the evening.

It was clarified that the applicant had no intention of running a bar or hosting parties. The aim was not to make a profit but to cover costs and drinks would be decanted from prepackaged cans and wine bottles into plastic cups.

It was clarified that of a 25-year lease of the property, there was still 16 years left.

Responsible Authorities 

There were no representations from any Responsible Authorities. 

Representations

The two representations were made up of neighbours living nearby to the cricket club. Both emphasised their enjoyment of cricket but raised concerns over numerous potential problems, including increased noise through shouting and singing late into the evening and drunkenness to exacerbate these issues.

Significant emphasis was placed on the potential for guests to bring their own alcohol onto the site, which would raise the risk of noise and drunkenness.

It was stated that rather than selling their own alcohol, making use of the nearby pub would benefit neighbours through decreased disturbance and benefit the local community economy.

Reasons for Decision

In reaching its decision, the Sub Committee took account of and considered all the written evidence and the representations from all parties present at the hearing.  The Sub Committee noted:

The Sub Committee heard no evidence that the Applicants would fail to promote the licensing objectives.

The Sub Committee considered that no representations were received from any Responsible Authorities.

The Sub Committee could only hear evidence concerning the licensing application and the promotion of the licensing objectives. 

The Sub Committee also considered the relevant provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 (in particular Sections 4 and 18); the four Licensing  ...  view the full decision text for item 18.

Application by the owner of Bishops Cannings Cricket Club

 for a Premises Licence in respect of Bishops Cannings Cricket Club, Coat, Wiltshire, SN10 3LB

Licensing Officer’s Submission

The Sub Committee gave consideration to a report (circulated with the agenda) in which determination was sought for an application for a premises licence presented by Teresa Isaacson (Public Protection Officer) for which two relevant representations had been received. The application was for the following licensable activities:

• Sale by retail of alcohol (on sales only)

It was noted by the Sub Committee that there were four options available to them:

1. Grant the application, subject to such conditions as are consistent with those included in the operating schedule submitted with the application, modified to such extent as the Sub Committee considers appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives, together with any mandatory conditions required by the Licensing Act.
2. To exclude from the scope of the application any licensable activity.
3. To refuse to specify a person as the Designated Premises Supervisor.
4. To refuse the application in whole or in part.  

The Public Protection Officer (Licensing) gave details of the appeals procedure for the parties following a decision made at the Sub Committee hearing.

The following parties attended the hearing and took part in it:

On behalf of the Applicant

Representation 1 – Spaniels Bridge Road, Coate

Representation 2 – Spaniels Bridge Road, Coate

Relevant Representations

The Chairman advised that the written representations had been read by the members of the Sub Committee in advance of the meeting. The Chairman then invited the Applicant to introduce their application.

Applicant’s submission

The Applicant spoke in support of the application, highlighting the following points:

·            The Applicant was confident that the application would not impact any of the licensing objectives.

·            The Applicant described the cricket club as very busy, with many different games a week including youth team. It was detailed that guests could often be in attendance from 9am until night-time.

·            The Applicant felt it would be appropriate to provide increased hospitality, however stressed there would not be a bar and drinks would be supplied prepackaged from a fridge.

Sub Committee Member’s questions

In response to the Sub Committee Members questions to the Applicant, the following points of clarification were given:

• That there would be no draft beer. Only canned drinks or wine would be sold and would be decanted into plastic glasses.
• That there was “zero intention” of hosting parties, and that the landlord precludes them from having any non-cricket related activity.
• That there were 16 Years left of a 25 Year lease.

Questions from those who made a relevant representation.

In response to questions to the Applicant from those that had made a relevant representation, the following points of clarification were given:

There were no questions asked by representations to the applicant.

Submissions from those who made relevant representations.

Those who made representations highlighted the following concerns:

• It was stated that there was a considerable amount of noise during the evenings which would be made  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.