The Chairman will advise the meeting of the evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important for visitors and members of the public who will be unfamiliar with the building and procedures.

The Chairman will inform the meeting whether there is a planned evacuation drill due to take place, what the alarm sounds like (i.e. ringing bells), where the closest emergency exit route is, and where the second closest emergency exit route is, in the event that the closest exit or route is blocked.

The Chairman will inform the meeting that:

(a) in the event of the alarm sounding, everybody must leave the building via the nearest safe available exit and gather at the Assembly points at the far side of the Car Park. Nobody must leave the assembly point until everybody can be accounted for and nobody must return to the building until the Chairman has informed them that it is safe to do so; and

(b) the lifts must not be used in the event of an evacuation.

Any officers present at the meeting will aid with the evacuation.

It is important that the Chairman is informed of any person attending who is disabled or unable to use the stairs, so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

The Chairman ensured that those present were aware of the Fire Evacuation Procedure.

The Chairman opened the meeting by introducing the Sub-Committee and officers present, and also representatives from Kent Police and the Respondents.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for  themselves or their spouse, civil partner or person with whom they are living with as a spouse or civil partner.  They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

The Chairman will ask Members if they have any interests to declare in respect of items on this agenda, under the following headings:

(a)          Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DPI, the Member must leave the meeting and not take part in the discussion or vote.  This applies even if there is provision for public speaking.

(b)          Disclosable Non Pecuniary (DNPI) under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council in May 2012.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DNPI interest, the Member may stay, speak and vote on the matter.

(c)          Where it is possible that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts would conclude that there was a real possibility that the Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the room while that item is considered.

Advice to Members:  If any Councillor has any doubt about the existence or nature of any DPI or DNPI which he/she may have in any item on this agenda, he/she should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

No interests were declared.

To consider a review of the Premises Licence for The Ivy Leaf, Sheerness.

Supplementary Papers added 22 August 2017.

Mrs Jayne Bolas, Solicitor, introduced the application as a review of the premises licence for the Ivy Leaf Bar, Sheerness.  The review had been applied for by Kent Police, and had been adjourned on 8 August 2017 for narrowing dispute concerning evidence in further documents received from the Police, including CCTV footage.  Mrs Bolas explained that two representations had been received in relation to public nuisance, and 14 representations in support of the premises, as noted in Appendices G and F to the report.  She explained that Members should consider all evidence and determine what steps were appropriate and proportionate to promote the licensing objectives.

PC Dan Hunt, representing Kent Police, explained that the Police had requested a review, following an incident at the premises where an underage female had been served alcohol, over a period of four hours.  The girl had subsequently been hospitalised and PC Hunt stated that the Ivy Leaf Bar had failed to promote three out of the four Licensing Objectives.  PC Hunt considered it was important to note that the girl was only 16 years old, and he considered she looked and acted her age, and that she was young and impressionable.

PC Hunt reported that at 19.23 hours on 16 May 2017 Kent Police were contacted by a parent to state that the girl had been drinking at the Ivy Leaf Bar and she was concerned as she did not know the whereabouts of the girl.  At 19.14 hours and 19.24 hours on 16 May 2017 calls were received about a disturbance at Bridge House, a short walk from the Ivy Leaf Bar.  The girl was drunk, punching doors and walking around with no shoes.  The Police and ambulance services arrived, and the girl had to be restrained and handcuffed as she was aggressive to officers.  There were concerns for her health, so she was taken to hospital, rather than the Police Station.  Police remained with the girl for three hours. PC Hunt visited the Respondent on 20 May 2017 and requested limited CCTV footage as it was not known when the girl had arrived at the premises.  The Respondent had advised that there had been no-one drinking at the premises of the description that PC Hunt had given him, and suggested that the girl had been drinking on the beach.  PC Hunt stated that further requests for CCTV footage were made and received.  This showed that the girl had been in the pub from around 1400 hours .  Whilst collecting CCTV footage at the premises, PC Hunt was asked to speak to the girl on the telephone.  The girl had stated that she had been drinking at the pub, and had used her sister’s ID.  She and her friend had agreed to write a statement confirming this to the Respondent.

PC Hunt stated that the girl had been in the pub drinking from around 1400 hours to 1800 hours.  The footage showed her purchasing alcohol, and also others buying drink for her.  There  ...  view the full minutes text for item 174.