order of business

Item five on the Agenda was withdrawn and the Chairman altered the order of business as hereinafter minuted.

notification of chairman and outline of procedure

The Chairman opened the meeting by introducing the Sub-Committee and the Officers present. He explained that the Sub-Committee would consider two applications to vary Premises' Licences, firstly for Swale Indoor Bowling Club, Milton Recreation Ground, Vicarage Road, Sittingbourne and secondly for The Old House at Home Public House, High Street, Queenborough. He detailed the procedure that would be followed.

declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

part b minutes for information

application to vary premises licence under the licensing act 2003 - swale indoor bowling club, milton recreation ground, vicarage road, sittingbourne

Mr Hubbard, representing the Applicant, presented his case. He explained that he considered the application a 'tidying up operation' so that it would not be necessary to keep returning to the Council to request further variations or temporary event notices. He reported that the premises was primarily a bowling club and that social events took place for fundraising purposes. He outlined events that currently took place and emphasised that the intention was not to increase these.

In response to a Member's question regarding soundproofing, Mr Hubbard confirmed that the walls were a cladding and metal structure and that he was unaware of any complaints regarding noise. He considered that the music would not be too loud.

The Sub-Committee adjourned to make their decision at 10:17 am. Members of the Sub-Committee, the Senior Solicitor and the Democratic Services Officer left the meeting and returned at 10:45 am, when the Sub-Committee reconvened.

application to vary premises licence under the licensing act 2003 - the old house at home public house, high street, queenborough

Mr Butt, representing the Applicant, presented his case. He stated that the variation was required to allow the business to develop and survive. Music events included charity afternoons and weddings. He emphasised that there would be no karaoke or modern music and only one event per week. With regard to letters received regarding speculation of potential noise, Mr Butt brought to the Committee's attention the point that boats in the area generated noise. He reported that the Applicant did not intend to continually have music events but wanted to allow for flexibility. He confirmed that the Licensee had received no complaints from local residents about events held at the Public House.

The Chairman brought the Sub-Committee's attention to additional papers received, which included a petition in favour of the variation.

Mr Wyver, an Objector, presented the case for the Objectors. He reported that two letters of complaint had been sent to the Licensing Officer but which had not been received. He considered that the area surrounding The Old House at Home was a quiet area and in clarification to an earlier statement by the Applicant's representative, Mr Wyver reported that amplified music was played. Local residents were concerned about noise pollution, public safety and parking issues and considered the application unacceptable to local residents.

In clarification to an earlier statement, the Chairman confirmed that the previous application for these premises had been misleading; there was not a condition allowing only one event to be held each week.

In response to a question, the Applicant confirmed that she would inform local residents of any events that were planned.

Some local residents, questioned by Mr Butt, said that they raised no objections to the variation and had experienced no problems with the premises.

Mrs Phillips, a local resident, read a letter of complaint that she had sent, but which had not been received by the Licensing Officer. This included problems of dogs being left outside the pub, unsupervised children, double parking and loud music being heard in summer months.

The Sub-Committee adjourned to make their decision at 11:50 am. Members of the Sub-Committee, the Senior Solicitor and the Democratic Services Officer left the meeting and returned at 12:25 pm, when the Sub-Committee reconvened.