No apologies for absence were received.

No declarations of interest were made.

The Licensing Panel were asked to consider an application for a new premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003.  The Licensing Panel were asked to determine the application for a new premises licence, following receipt of objections from Environmental Protection and Licensing.

The Licensing Manger highlighted to the Committee that there were two slight typographical errors within the report.  These were in relation to paragraph 3.2 which should have read:

‘The application is for the sale by retail of alcohol and licensable activities’.

Also, on page 7 of the report, the aerial view should have been labelled Appendix A not Appendix B.

Members were informed that the application had been received on 26 October 2023 for sale by retail of alcohol with licensable hours as followed:

·         Sale by retail of alcohol in the Convenience Store:

            Monday to Sunday 0800: to 00:00 – Off sales only

·         Community Hall: Monday to Sunday 08:00 to 02:00 – On sales only

·         Regulated Entertainment:

            Performance of dance, Recorded Music, Live Music, Indoor sporting events,

            Films, Plays, anything of a similar description: Monday to Sunday 23:00 – 02:30

·         Late Night Refreshment – Indoor only:

            Monday to Sunday 23:00 – 02:30

Members were informed that following a representation by Kent Police, conditions had been agreed by the applicant on the basis of amending the proposed operating schedule, contained within their application.  The conditions were outlined in appendix C of the report.

The Panel were informed that a representation was received from Environmental Protection on 15 February 2024 objecting to the licence as it would have a negative impact on the Prevention of Public Nuisance licensing objective.  Thie representation could be viewed in Appendix D.

Members were informed that on 13 March 2024, Licensing, as a responsible authority, also submitted a representation. The applicant in response had agreed to the additional conditions however, no agreement to reduce the hours for the Community Hall has been received. A copy of the representation and agreement could be viewed in Appendix E.

The Licensing Manager informed Members that representation received from Licensing was only in objection to hours applied for the Community Hall, not the Convenience Store.

The Panel heard representations from both the Licensing Officer from the authority and the Senior Environmental Health Officer.

The Applicant addressed the Panel and summarised why they should be granted the new premise licence.

The Chair opened the Panel to allow questions from Councillors:

·         Members sought clarity regarding the type of activities that would take place in the Community Hall and why such a late licence was required.  The applicant explained that during the day the space would be hired for fitness/dance classes, community groups etc.  In the evenings the hall could be hired for parties.  The applicant expressed that there would be no bar facility but with waiters serving drinks via a table service.  Drinks would be stored and served via waiters from the kitchen area.  It was explained that upon booking the customer hiring the hall would select their chosen drinks  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.