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; 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 Fire Evacuation Procedure was noted.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and outlined the procedure that would be followed.  He explained that since the Agenda had been published, Councillors Ben Stokes and Mike Whiting were unable to attend, and Councillors Prescott and Ted Wilcox had been appointed to sit on the Sub-Committee in their place.

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 Director of Corporate Services as 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 review the premises licence for Sittingbourne Snooker Ltd, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 4AY.

Mr Mo Bauluck, the Licensing Officer, introduced the report which was an application for the review of the Premises Licence at Sittingbourne Snooker Club, 7-11 High Street, Sittingbourne.  He drew the Sub-Committee’s attention to the amendments to the licence requested by the applicant (Kent Police), as outlined on page nine of the report.

PC Diane Holroyd, Kent Police, reported that Mr Bradley Wright, the respondent, had failed to promote two of the licensing objectives:  the prevention of crime and disorder, and public safety.  PC Holroyd outlined her statement, reported on pages eight and nine on the Sub-Committee report.   PC Holroyd further advised that there had been 27 reported crimes at the premises, 13 of which had been after midnight, and she stated the venue was a snooker club, not a nightclub.

In response to questions, PC Holroyd explained that the 27 crimes had taken place since the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) had taken on the license in March 2015, up to 12 April 2016.  She explained that most of the crimes had been investigated to a degree and had all taken place within the premises.

Discussion ensued between the Police and the Respondent on some of the meetings that had taken place between the two parties.  The Respondent had considered these meetings to be informal, similar to a ‘catch-up’, whilst the Police considered the requests for measures to be taken were clear indications that the DPS was in breach of the licensing conditions.  PC Holroyd explained that these had been verbal warnings, rather than written warnings.  In response to a question on the frequency that drug evidence was found throughout premises generally, PC Holroyd explained that this was normally 50/50.  There had been two drug incidents during a police drugs operation at the premises in February 2016.  PC Holroyd could not confirm how many of the 27 incidents had involved a pool cue.

Mr Mark Rustage, representing Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), drew the Sub-Committee’s attention to the statement from KFRS on page 25 of the report.  He stated that it was not uncommon for the requested work not to be carried out on time; the deadline was normally three months.  Mr Rustage explained that Mr Wright had now carried out all the work, some to a level exceeding what was requested.  He reported that the occupancy limit was based on the size of the premises, versus the number of available exits.

In response to a question, Mr Wright advised that there was one main entrance and two fire escapes in the premises.

In response to a question, PC Holroyd explained that, at the time of the review being called, the fire risk assessment had not been completed.

Mr Wright responded by stating that the risk assessment had been booked as the review process had commenced; he explained that the completion date for the work was 31 May 2016, and that every job had been completed.

Mr Wright outlined his statement.  He advised that some processes had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 689.