Visitors and members of the public who are unfamiliar with the building and procedures are advised that:

(a)      The fire alarm is a continuous loud ringing. In the event that a fire drill is planned during the meeting, the Chair will advise of this.

(b)      Exit routes from the chamber are located on each side of the room, one directly to a fire escape, the other to the stairs opposite the lifts.

(c)      In the event of the alarm sounding, leave the building via the nearest safe exit and gather at the assembly point on the far side of the car park. Do not leave the assembly point or re-enter the building until advised to do so. Do not use the lifts.

(d)      Anyone unable to use the stairs should make themselves known during this agenda item.

The Chair outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

The Chair opened the meeting and asked those present to introduce themselves.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or friends.

The Chair will ask Members if they have any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or disclosable non-pecuniary interests (DNPIs) to declare in respect of items on the agenda. Members with a DPI in an item must leave the room for that item and may not participate in the debate or vote. 

Aside from disclosable interests, where a fair-minded and informed observer would think there was a real possibility that a Member might be biased or predetermined on an item, the Member should declare this and leave the room while that item is considered.

Members who are in any doubt about interests, bias or predetermination should contact the monitoring officer for advice prior to the meeting.

No interests were declared.

To consider a new premises licence at Ours Café, The Old Fire Station, Court Street, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7AL.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report which asked Members to consider an application for the grant of a new premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 at Ours Café, The Old Fire Station, Court Street, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7AL.

The Licensing Officer introduced the application as set out in the report and highlighted as below:

·         To allow the sale of alcohol to between the hours of 11:00 and 20:00 Tuesday to Sunday for consumption on and off the premises.

·         Opening hours from 09:00 and 20:00 Tuesday to Sunday.

The Licensing Officer referred to appendix III on page 33 of the report, which set out the list of conditions agreed with Kent Police.

The Chair asked the Applicant to present his case.

The Applicant asked Members to approve his application for extension of sale of alcohol and opening hours.  He said it was a small premises which offered local wines and craft beers.

The Chair invited Members and the Senior Lawyer Contentious to ask questions.

The Chair asked the supporters to present their case.

The Chair invited the Applicant to summarise his closing remarks.

Members of the Sub-Committee adjourned at 10.37 am to make their decision.  Members of the Sub-Committee, the Lawyer (Contentious) and the Democratic Services Officer returned to the meeting at 10.46 am and the decision, attached as Appendix I to these minutes, was announced.

Resolved:

(1)      That the application be granted as amended subject to the conditions from Kent Police and the implementation of the Challenge 25 Policy.

The meeting was adjourned from 10:05 am until 10.18 am.