Agenda and minutes

To seek nominations for the election of Chair for this sub-committee meeting.

It was proposed, seconded and with the vote being unanimous

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Ian Houlder be elected Chair for this Sub-Committee meeting.

There were no apologies for absence.

Any member who is substituting for another member should so indicate, together with the name of the relevant absent member.

There were no substitutes present.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary or local non pecuniary interest which they have in any item of business on the agenda, no later than when that item is reached and, when appropriate, to leave the meeting prior to discussion and voting on the item.

There were no declarations of interest made.

Report No: LSC/WS/23/006

The Business Partner (Litigation/Licensing) welcomed all present to the Hearing, reported that no declarations of interest had been received and introductions to the Panel were made.

The following parties were present at the Hearing:

(a) Applicant – The Reverend Dennis Coburn

(b) Accompanying applicant – Susan Meader

(c) Interested Party – Councillor Jools Savage (District Councillor               for Brandon Central Ward)

(d) Interested Party – Councillor Phil Wittam (District Councillor                 for Brandon East Ward)

The Licensing Officer presented the report which explained that an application had been received for a new premises licence in respect of St Peter’s Church Institute, Brandon.  A copy of the application was attached at Appendix A to Report No LSC/WS/23/006 together with a plan at Appendix B.

Five representations had been made objecting to the application, three from local residents and two from Brandon District Councillors, copies of which were attached as Appendix C.

If the Licensing Authority decided that this application should be refused it would need to show that the grant of the licence would:

1.   Undermine the promotion of the licensing objectives; and

2.   That appropriate conditions would be ineffective in preventing the problems involved.

If the Licensing Authority could not show the above, then the application should be granted.

In making their decision, Members were also advised to consider the Licensing Act 2003, the Guidance on the Act and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.

The Sub-Committee then heard the submissions from the individuals present.

In presenting his case as applicant, The Reverend Dennis Coburn explained that the rationale behind applying for a premises licence was to remove the necessity for the Church Institute to apply for Temporary Event Notices (TENs) when seeking to host family, charity and social functions. As such, the nature and frequency of events was unlikely to change as a result of achieving a premises licence.

The Reverend stated that he was very mindful of the licensing objectives and despite not having received any complaints directly from residents, he had taken it upon himself to take sound recording measurements of events which had taken place at the premises. He concluded by reading out a letter of support from the Church Institute’s closest neighbour.

The Sub-Committee was then given the opportunity to ask questions of the applicant.

In responding on behalf of the applicant, Susan Meader stated that she had never witnessed parking issues with any of the many events which had been held at the Church Institute.

The Interested Parties present were then each given opportunity to speak on their representations made in response to the application.

Councillor Phil Wittam referenced social media posts made by The Reverend and the Business Partner (Litigation/Licensing) interjected and reminded Councillor Wittam to focus on the content of his representation.

Councillor Wittam explained that he had been contacted by approximately 18 residents in response to the licence application. Concerns were raised particularly in relation to music taking place in the outside garden space. Reference was also made to the nuisance caused by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.