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 by introducing the Sub-Committee and asked officers to introduce 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 Flying Sheep, 193, High Street, Sheerness ME12 1UJ.

The Licensing Officer introduced the application for a new Premises Licence for The Flying Sheep Micro Pub, 193 High Street, Sheerness.  The application was for the supply of alcohol.  The proposed hours of operation were Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 11:00 until 23:00, Friday and Saturday, 11:00 until 00:00, Bank Holidays and Christmas Eve, 11:00 until 00:00 and New Year’s Eve, 11:00 until 01:00.

The Licensing Officer reported that Kent Police had made no representations, but had requested conditions, as outlined on pages 3 and 4 of the report.  One objection had been received and this was set-out on pages 27 to 30 of the report.  The Licensing Officer added that a planning application had also been considered for the premises by the Planning Committee.

Mr Smith, the applicant, acknowledged the concerns that had been raised by the objector.  However, he explained that micro-pubs were very different from more general-type pubs.  There would be no amplified music, just talking, and he considered the noise levels would be very low.  Mr Smith explained that sound proofing along the walls would be installed.  He referred to the opening times and explained that in reality the hours would not be as long as was proposed.

Mr Gillet, the Solicitor, representing the objector, outlined the concerns that his client had.  These included issues of public nuisance and public safety.  Mr Gillet suggested that railings be installed outside the premises. 

The applicants and Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) were asked questions by the Sub-Committee, the Solicitor for the objector and the objector.

The DPS, Rachel Collier, advised that she would train the staff working at the premises, and that the two applicants would also take training so that there would be three qualified trained people at the premises.  She advised that first aid training was not a requirement of the Licensing Act.  Ms Amanda Williams explained that there was a first aid kit on the premises and that training for staff could be arranged.  Ms Collier explained that there was a Fire Station across the road from the premises.

Mr Gillet considered there was a potential danger with numerous customers exiting the public house and moving out into the road, which could be dangerous with any emergency vehicles leaving the Fire Station at high speed, and he considered railings outside the premises would address this.  The Licensing Officer explained that Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) had made no representations.  The Senior Lawyer acknowledged that public safety was within the licensing objectives, but questioned how it was different to any other pubs along the High Street, which did not have railings in front of their doorway.

Mr Gillet suggested a condition be added to limit the capacity of the premises, and the Senior Lawyer reminded him, with issues related to risks associated with evacuation in cases of a fire, that KFRS had made no representations, and that barriers outside were street furniture, and this would not be part of the application.

The Senior Lawyer asked whether  ...  view the full minutes text for item 153.