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, the Objectors 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 an application for a new Premises Licence for the Corn Exchange, Standard Quay, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7BS.

The Licensing Officer introduced the application for a new Premises Licence for The Corn Exchange, Standard Quay, Faversham.  The application was for the supply of alcohol and background music, Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 10pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10am to 11pm.  The Licensing Officer referred to the legislation which stated that premises were not required to have a license for unamplified live music between the hours of 8pm and 11pm, for up to 500 people.  In response to a question, he explained that the blue sign, advertising the application on the premises had not been correct as the music activities had been included on the poster.

The Licensing Officer drew attention to conditions requested by Kent Police, as set out in the report.  These included measures for the provision of CCTV, adequate training of staff serving alcohol, the requirement of SIA door supervisors if it was shown this was required by a risk assessment, a written drugs policy, alcohol only to be served if it was with a substantial meal, and no glasses to be taken outside.  The Licensing Officer reported that nine representations had been received, via email.

In response to a question, the Licensing Officer further explained that there had been an error in the advertising of the application, in that the music aspect had been advertised, and as noted above, it was no longer a licensing activity, and as such should not have been included on the advert.  The Senior Lawyer (Contentious) asked all present at the meeting whether they wanted to defer the meeting, to allow the correct advert to be consulted upon.

Mrs Musset, an objector, explained that some residents had not been aware of the application and she considered signs should have been displayed in Abbey Street.

The Sub-Committee, Applicants and objectors were all happy that the Sub-Committee continued as scheduled.

Mrs White, the Applicant, explained that the application was for the sale of alcohol, with background music, in a restaurant setting, not a pub/club environment.  In response to questions, Mrs White explained that the music would be background and the speakers were inside the premises.

Mrs Mussett explained that the main objection from the residents she represented, was public safety.  She explained that Abbey Street varied in width, and that people often walked in the carriageway due to obstacles on the footpath, e.g. plant pots.  She considered the restaurant would become a destination venue, and people not familiar with the use of the road/paths, and with pinch points and shared space this could present safety issues when restaurant-goers left the premises.  Mrs Mussett was also concerned with access to the premises for emergency vehicles, and with potential flooding issues at the premises, due to it close location to the quayside.

In response to a question, the Senior Lawyer explained that in licensing terms, public safety issues were treated differently to what was normally considered to be public safety.  He explained that in this instance, public safety was in relation to the safety  ...  view the full minutes text for item 375.