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 ensured that those present were aware of the Fire Evacuation Procedure.

The Chairman opened the meeting and the Sub-Committee and officers introduced themselves.

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 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 for the Hot Tin Café, St. Saviours Church, Whitstable Road, Faversham.

The Licensing Officer introduced the application for a new Premises Licence for the Hot Tin Café, St. Saviours Church, Faversham.  The application was for the sale of alcohol and showing of films and the proposed hours of the licensable activities were from Monday to Sunday 8am to 11pm.  The Licensing Officer explained that representations had been received and conditions agreed with Mid-Kent Environmental Services and Police Licensing, and were attached to the report at Appendix E and F.  He added that 23 further representations were received, 16 objections and 7 supporting the application although one objection had now been withdrawn.

The applicant, Ms Romana Bellinger, gave a history of the property, a Grade II Listed Building, and outlined the proposals and planned events to be held in it.  She explained that there was an 80 person seated capacity (subject to a planned risk assessment), and highlighted the Noise Management Plan to be agreed by Environmental Health. 

Mr Michael Eden, joint owner, spoke in support of the application.  He advised of the various uses planned for the building, including exhibitions and events, live performances, art workshops and film screenings.  Mr Eden explained that there had been a residents’ meeting in March 2018, at which he had answered residents’ questions and circulated feedback forms.  He added that he hoped the building could be used for the community and stressed that, as the property was also his home, he needed to generate income whilst respecting and working with the neighbouring community.

Mrs Denise Knights-Toomber spoke in objection to the application.  She said that she did not object to an Artisan café as originally planned, but to noise and anti-social issues the granting of an alcohol licence might cause.  Mrs Knights-Toomber considered there were already enough venues in the local area for live music and socialising and that the restrictions on the Grade II Listed Building would preclude implementing sound measures.  She added that the location was unsuitable and raised health and safety concerns.

Mrs Rhonda Root raised concerns around the effect that noise and anti-social issues might have on a nearby supported living accommodation premises.

Mrs Emma Lathrell referred to the impact that deliveries may have in blocking the road and advised that ambulances regularly required access to the supported living accommodation.

The Senior Lawyer (Contentious) reminded those present of the issues that the Licensing Sub-Committee could consider and said that the Committee could not act on speculation.  He added that live music had been withdrawn from the application as a licence was not required for less than 500 people.  He drew attention that that the Fire Brigade had been consulted but had not made a representation.

In the discussion that followed, the applicant stressed how seriously she took her responsibility as a licence holder and advised that ID would be required for any customer that looked under the age of 21.  The joint owner added that the alcohol products they intended to sell would attract a different market than those that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 644.