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 an application for a New Premises Licence for Bysingwood Community Hall, Wildish Road, Faversham. The first application on the agenda, that for the Queens Head, Boughton would be adjourned to a future meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee.

declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

part b minutes for information

application for a new premises licence under the licensing act 2003 - bysingwood community hall, wildish road, faversham

Mrs Moth, representing the Applicants, presented her case. She explained that following discussions with the Police they had decided to reduce the hours requested and outlined the new proposals. She advised the Sub-Committee that a noise limiter had been fitted in the Community Hall, which all potential hirers were required to use. They had laid a patio area to the rear of the Hall for smokers, which would reduce the noise being emitted from the front of the Hall, closest to local residents' properties. They had installed internal and external CCTV cameras and had an alarm system. They would only use plastic glasses for drinks and signs would be put up requesting people not to take their drinks outside of the premises. She explained that the licence to serve alcohol would mainly be used for private functions on Friday and Saturday evenings and that during the week the Hall would continue to be used by local community groups. She emphasised the importance of the Premises Licence for the future of the Community Hall as it would provide a regular income. No parties would be allowed for people aged between 13 and 21 and the terms of the hire agreement would be amended to reflect the new conditions. She advised that the Management Committee for the Bysingwood Community Hall had held a meeting with the local community to respond to their concerns.

In response to a question from the Senior Solicitor, Mrs Moth confirmed that they would comply with all the conditions suggested by the Police.

Mr Day and Mr Green, local residents, outlined their concerns with the application. They considered that it could increase anti-social behaviour and damage to properties in the area and were concerned regarding noise from the Hall from evening functions.

In response to questions from the Chairman, Mrs Moth confirmed that there were no other public houses in the vicinity of the Community Hall and they could not currently afford air conditioning in the Hall. The existing car park could hold 20 cars; there was provision in summer months for parking to the rear of the Hall on a grassed area and they hoped to clear an area adjacent to the car park to create extra parking spaces.

In response to questions from Members, Mrs Moth advised that the hall could hold 230 people standing or dancing and 150 people seated but the terms of hire stated a maximum of 150 people. They would not accept pay to enter bookings; no alcohol would be kept on the premises and the Police would be notified of all evening functions. Regular users had priority for hire of the Hall.

The Licensing Sub-Committee adjourned to make their decision at 10.52 am. Members of the Sub-Committee, the Senior Solicitor and the Democratic Services Officers left the meeting and returned at 11.06 am, when the Sub-Committee re-convened.