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 Chairman ensured that those present were aware of the emergency evacuation procedure.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and outlined the procedure that would be followed.

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.

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 at Austin News For You, Invicta Road, Sheerness.

Mr Gurvinder Sidhu introduced himself as the applicant’s son and confirmed that he would be speaking on her behalf.

In response to a query from the Legal Adviser, Mr Sidhu confirmed that his mother was happy with the conditions proposed by Kent Police shown in the papers.  He advised that most of the conditions had already been implemented.

Mrs Angela Seaward, Senior Licensing Officer, introduced the application for a variation of a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003, made by Mrs Sidhu in respect of Austin News 4U, 176 Invicta Road, Sheerness, as set out in Appendix A of the Committee report.  The application was for an extension of licensable hours to 06:30 – 23:00 Monday to Friday 07:30 to 23:00 Saturday and 08:30 – 21:00 on Sundays and a change of layout to the premises.

Mrs Seaward reported that one valid representation raising objection had been received, and this was set out at Appendix C of the Committee report.  She reminded Members that the application should be considered on its merits.

Mr Sidhu presented the applicant’s case.  He explained that his mother had been operating the business from the premises for the last thirteen years.  With regard to concerns raised he explained that in the period his mother had been operating the business, no issues relating to alcohol had been raised with them by licensing officers or indeed the local community.  Mr Sidhu stated that they worked closely with Kent Police and also did everything they could as a business to work closely with the local community.  With regard to concerns about litter and anti-social behaviour, Mr Sidhu advised that there was emergency lighting at the front and back of the premises and also that they arranged for the front of the premises from numbers 170 to 176 Invicta Road and rear of the alleyway to be cleaned three times per week.

In response to queries from Members, Mr Sidhu stated that they were not aware of any issues with regard to the back alley.  He explained that they were requesting the variation in order to allow them to compete with surrounding businesses.  He advised that Richmond Street School was about a 10 minute walk from their premises. 

A Member asked Mr Sidhu what action they undertook to prevent underage sales.  Mr Sidhu advised that they had installed cameras on top of each check-out, as suggested by Kent Police.  They also ensured that they logged every refusal and ensured staff were trained every six months.

Members of the Sub-Committee adjourned to make their decision at 10.25am.  Members of the Sub-Committee, the Legal Adviser and the Democratic Services Officer returned at 10.43am, when the meeting was re-convened.

The decision, as set out at Appendix I to these minutes was announced.

Resolved:  The Sub-Committee agreed to grant the variation of the licence as applied for subject to conditions.