Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

Resolved:

To elect Councillor Allison Bucknell 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 explained the procedure of the meeting to all attendees in the Chamber.

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

To consider and determine an Application for a Variation of a Premises Licence by SN15 Leisure Limited in respect of SN15, 17a Station Hill, Chippenham.  The report of the Public Protection Officer (Licensing) is attached.

The Licensing Officer introduced the purpose and scope of the application, the premises to which it related and the key issues for consideration.

It was noted that proposed revised conditions had been agreed between the Applicants and the Police in relation to the conditions on door supervisors and the use of polycarbonates before the meeting.  The Licensing Authority (as Responsible Authority) had indicated that it was satisfied that these additional conditions would address its concerns about the application.

As all parties to the hearing had had the opportunity to consider these proposed revised conditions the Sub Committee agreed to accept these as late evidence for consideration by the Sub Committee.

In accordance with the procedure detailed in the agenda, the Applicants, the Responsible Authorities and those who had made a relevant representation were given the opportunity to address the Sub Committee.

Key points raised by Matthew Phipps, TLT Solicitors, on behalf of the Applicants, were:

·         In 2013 a Provisional Statement was granted to SN15 Leisure Limited.  In November 2014 a full Premises Licence was granted.  Works were then carried out at the premises and trading commenced in August 2015, however, after a couple of weeks the premises ceased to operate because business was unsustainable;

·         The Applicants wished to alleviate the existing door staff condition which  stated that 10 door staff needed to be present whenever the premises was open and trading. The proposed new condition was explained as; the greater the number of areas in the premises open, the greater the number of security staff that would need to be positioned in those areas;

·         A number of Temporary Event Notices were used over the Christmas period and into January 2016 and at a hearing on 16 December 2015 the Licensing Sub Committee had agreed not to serve a counternotice objecting to these TENs, on the basis that the events would be operated with a reduction in the number of door staff and with the use of glass at the premises;

·         The Applicants felt that a relationship was being developed between them and the Responsible Authorities and they were working together to move forward with the smooth running of the Premises, so that it was successful for everyone;

·         Although CCTV regulations were previously not correctly adhered to; 21 CCTV cameras were now in place.

The Sub Committee sought clarification on the details of the revised conditions and it was confirmed that:

Security Supervisors:

·         2 door supervisors to be on duty from 9pm until close;

·         1 floor supervisor to be mobile in the lower bar (ground floor) area;

·         An additional door supervisor to be on duty when the balcony  is open and in operation;

·         2 floor supervisors to be on duty at all times in the cocktail bar and dance floor area (1^st floor) when the premises is open;

·         1 floor supervisor to be engaged on the patio and to be supported by the mobile floor supervisor when the patio is open;

·         When the whole premises is open – 8 supervisors  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.