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 outlined the Emergency Evacuation Procedure for those present.

The Chairman outlined the procedure and asked the Sub-Committee and 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 Time Limited Premises Licence for Woodcombe Sports and Social Club, Church Road, Murston.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report which was for a Time Limited Premises Licence at Woodcoombe Sports and Social Club, Church Road, Murston.  The Licensing Officer outlined the proposed hours as set-out on page two of the Committee report.  He drew attention to the conditions requested by Kent Police, which he confirmed had been agreed by the applicant.  No representations had been received from the other responsible authorities.

The Licensing Officer reported that one representation from a local resident objecting to the application had been received, this was set-out on page 43 of the Committee report.  The Licensing Officer confirmed that the objector had advised that they would not be attending the meeting.

The Chairman invited Mrs Hanslow (representing Woodcoombe Sports and Social Club) to present her case.

Mrs Hanslow reported that she had worked at the family orientated premises for the last 23 years.  She explained that following the success of the WoodFest music festival in 2017, they planned to hold the festival again at their premises on Saturday 27 July 2019.  Mrs Hanslow stated that the safety of both customers and local residents was important to them.  She confirmed that if the licence was granted they would send letters to all local residents advising them of the date and time of the event with contact details for the club if they had any concerns.  Mrs Hanslow spoke about the importance of the Club to the local community.

The Chairman invited Members to ask questions.

In response to queries from Members, Mrs Hanslow stated that the number of tickets for the event had been reduced from 1,500 to 1,000.  She confirmed that there would be 11 security officers and also staff from the Club working on the night to ensure that customers entered and exited the premises quickly and efficiently.

The Senior Lawyer (Contentious) referred to the concerns raised by the objector in respect of noise issues affecting local residents during the event held in 2017.

Mrs Hanslow advised that notices were displayed on each door of the club asking customers to leave the premises quietly.  She further advised that she would herself be assisting the security officers at one of the doors to ensure customers found their taxis swiftly.  With regard to noise from the bands, Mrs Hanslow stated that changes had been made to the layout of the event and the stage would be faced away from residential properties and towards the commercial properties instead.  She hoped this would resolve the issue.

Members of the Sub-Committee adjourned to make their decision at 2.15pm.

At 2.50pm Members of the Sub-Committee, the Senior Lawyer (Contentious) and the Democratic Services Officer returned, and the meeting was re-convened.

The Decision, as set out in these minutes at Appendix I was read out.

Resolved:

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