Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

Resolved:

To elect Councillor Nick Blakemore as Chairman for this meeting only.

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

There were no apologies.

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 - 11 of the Agenda refers).

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

Application by Devizes Town Council for a Variation of a Premises Licence at Hillworth Park, Hillworth Road, Devizes

Jemma Price, the Licensing Officer for Wiltshire Council, introduced the purpose and scope of the application, the premises to which it related and the key issues for consideration.  During the consultation process, one relevant representation had been received in objection to the application which was to the sale of alcohol on and off the premises from 10:00 to 22:00 Monday to Sunday.  She reminded the Panel that consumption of alcohol is permitted throughout the park and is not a licensable activity.

In accordance with the procedure detailed in the agenda, the Applicant was given the opportunity to address the Sub Committee.  Nigel Britton who had made a relevant representation was not present at the meeting.

Key points raised by Simon Fisher, Deputy Town Clerk of Devizes Town Council on behalf of the Applicant were:

·               In 2010 the Town Council applied to the National Lottery for funding to carry out a refurbishment of Hillworth Park.  This application was successful and in 2012 a £2 million refurbishment was carried out;

·               Hillworth Park is a well-used and well managed facility that has an extensive events programme running throughout the year;

·               If the variation was granted this would enable the café to provide a beer or a glass of wine to its users to enhance their enjoyment of the facilities.  All bottles would be opened when purchased and it was not the intention for the café to be used as an off licence;

·               Following the comments made by Wiltshire Police during the consultation, the Applicant agreed to the changes suggested to address their concerns of crime and disorder and protection of children from harm; and

·               At present people are already able to enjoy alcohol as they can bring it themselves with their picnic, but the Applicant would like to be able to provide a small range of alcohol to its users, and especially at planned events.

The Sub Committee asked the following question of the Applicant:

Q         How will you manage the sale of alcohol and the behaviour of those          consuming it?

A         A Challenge 25 policy will be implemented and the staff in the café will receive the relevant training from Wadworths.  We have Park Keeper staff on duty and they are on hand to deal with any issues quickly as needed.  We have asked people to leave the park before when there had been potential incidents.

In the absence of Nigel Britton (who had made a relevant representation) the Sub Committee considered his representation on page 51 of the Agenda.  Simon Fisher on behalf of the Applicant confirmed that he had met with Mr Britton and seems to have misunderstood the Town Council’s intention.  They were not anticipating that alcohol would be sold all day every day, but if they had to apply for a Temporary Event Notice for each event this would be costly and time consuming and it is difficult to determine  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.