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 made sure that those present were aware of the Fire Evacuation Procedure.

The Chairman opened the meeting by introducing the Sub-Committee and the officers present.

Following apologies received from Councillor Tina Booth, the membership of this Sub-Committee was as follows:  Councillors Bobbin, Lesley Ingham (Chairman), and Mike Whiting.

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 at Queenborough Social Club, North Road, Queenborough, Kent, ME11 5EN.

Mr Tom Dunn, Licensing Officer, introduced the application for a premises licence at Queenborough Social Club, North Road, Queenborough.  The application was for the provision of Indoor Sporting Events, Live and Recorded Music and Sale of Alcohol Monday to Friday 12:00 – 01:00 and Saturday and Sunday 11:30 – 01:00.

Mr Dunn reported that the application had been correctly advertised and a notice displayed for the whole of the consultation period.  Kent Police had requested four conditions to promote the licensing objectives and one valid representation had been received, which was set-out at Appendix C of the Committee report.  Mr Dunn reminded Members that the application should be considered on its merits. 

Mr Matthew Champ, Queenborough Social Club Committee member, presented their case.  Mr Champ provided all those present with a copy of their written representation, which he had previously submitted to the Licensing section.  Mr Champ explained that the Club had been informed late December 2016/early January 2017, that the Club had been operating on an incorrect licence in excess of 40 years.  Mr Champ stated that the application they had applied for was to legitimise how the Club was operated, and not about extending the previous operating hours. 

Mr Champ stated that whenever the Club had night-time events, two accredited door staff were provided.  He explained that in eight years there had only been two incidents when the Police had been called, which he considered “spoke for itself”.  Mr Champ explained how the loss of the licence had resulted in a loss of income for the club and how that impacted on the club and its staff.

Mr Champ stated that the licence requested was in-line with opening hours of other public houses in the area.  Mr Champ stated that they had no issue with the conditions requested by the Police, and had already paid for the CCTV.  Mr Champ drew attention to the representation from Mr Le Couteur and stated that it would be unfair to say that Mr Le Couteur was speaking on behalf of other residents as he claimed.  Other residents had had the opportunity to make representations but had chosen not to.  Mr Champ noted Mr Le Couteur’s other objections and stated that there was no evidence that parking problems in the area were caused by the Club.  Mr Champ explained that it was only New Year’s Eve when the premises was open until 01:00, for other event nights patrons had to leave by 23:30.  There was no evidence that patrons of the club were responsible for fighting and kicking bins over late at night.  Mr Champ stated that patrons were asked to leave quietly.

When asked by the Senior Lawyer – Contentious which of the licensing objectives was relevant to the financial concerns of the Club, Mr Champ stated that whilst he could not, felt it should be considered as a general point.  The Senior Lawyer – Contentious stated that it was not a licensing issue and could not therefore be considered.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1270.