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 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.

(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 consider an application for a new premises licence at Morrison’s Petrol Station, Sittingbourne.

Ms Clare Johnson introduced herself as Solicitor for WM Morrison Supermarkets Plc.  Ms Johnson introduced Ms Kelly Nichols as Licensing Manager for WM Morrison Supermarkets Plc.

Ms Johnson presented the applicant’s case in respect of their premises at Morrisons Daily (PFS) at Mill Way, Sittingbourne.  Ms Johnson drew attention to the conditions proposed by Kent Police outlined in the Committee report, and confirmed that Morrison’s were happy for these to be attached to the licence.  Ms Johnson noted that all of the statutory bodies had raised no objection to the application.

Ms Johnson drew attention to the written representation received from Mr and Mrs Hockley of Alexandra Place, Munsgore Lane, Borden.  Ms Johnson noted that whilst entitled to make representations, these individuals lived too far away from the premises to be likely to be affected by any nuisance from the premises.  Ms Johnson stated that with regard to their concerns that there would be an increase in accidents and incidents, this was not supported by Kent Police and there was no evidence to support this claim.  She further noted that none of the residential premises in the vicinity of the proposed licensed premises were particularly close and none of them had raised objection. 

With regard to Mr and Mrs Hockley’s concerns in respect of juvenile anti-social behaviour, Ms Johnson stated that this was purely speculative and that the “Challenge 25” scheme would be in operation at the premises.  She advised that staff would receive the relevant training in this respect and also proxy sales. 

Ms Johnson concluded that Morrisons were experienced in the retail of alcohol, and aware of their responsibilities in respect of the licensing objectives. 

In response to queries from a Member, Ms Nicholls confirmed that staff were trained on the sale of alcohol prior to working on the tills, and in particular how to deal with proxy sales and anti-social behaviour, and the Challenge 25 scheme.  Ms Nicholls stated that Morrisons had a 92% success rate for challenging under-age sales as part of the Mystery Shopper scheme.    

Members of the Sub-Committee adjourned to make their decision at 10.10am.  Members of the Sub-Committee, the Legal Adviser and the Democratic Services Officer returned at 10.46pm.

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

Resolved: 

(1) The Sub-Committee agreed to grant the licence as applied for subject to conditions.