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.

Councillor Lee-Anne Moore declared an interest as she knew the applicant through her work, but not on a personal basis.

Councillor Simon Clark declared an interest as whilst he was Mayor of Swale he had attended some of the premises owned by the applicant, but had no personal links with him.

To consider a new premises licence at Holm Park Sports & Recreation Ground, Queenborough Road, Halfway, ME12 3DB.

Supplementary documents from the applicant published 17 June 2025

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 in respect of Holm Park, Sports and Recreation Ground, Queenborough Road, Halfway, Isle of Sheppey, ME10 4GA.  The Licensing Officer reported that there were a number of objections and five objectors were present at the hearing.

The Licensing Officer introduced the application and referred to the proposed licensable activities and hours applied for, which were set out in paragraph 3.2 on page five of the report.  She drew attention to the full application as set out at Appendix 2, and the plan of the premises set out at Appendix 3.  The Licensing Officer reported that following the statutory 28-day consultation no authorities had made representations, however Kent Police had requested conditions which included the removal of the boxing and wrestling events, as set out at Appendix 5, and the applicant had agreed to these.  The Licensing Officer further reported that Swale Borough Councils (SBC) Environmental Services team accepted the applicant’s Noise Management Plan and raised no objection.  Their response was set out at Appendix 6.

The Licensing Officer stated that 39 representations were received including a petition with an additional 57 signatures, the vast majority of which were from local residents.  These were set out at Appendix 7.  They were made on the basis of three of the licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder; the prevention of public nuisance; and the protection of public safety.  The Licensing Officer said that the applicant and objectors had submitted further supporting evidence which had been circulated to all interested parties.

The Chair invited the applicant to present their case.

The applicant said that as Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) he had 20 years’ experience in hospitality and overseeing events.  He acknowledged the concerns of the objectors and said Holm Park was a ‘community asset’ and he addressed concerns raised by objectors in respect of noise pollution; car parking; light pollution; wildlife; and anti-social behavior.  The applicant stated that as a responsible premises holder all their events were held in a sensitive, controlled and respectful manner. 

The Chair invited the Sub-Committee to ask the applicant questions.

In response, the applicant stated there would not be any firework events at the premises.  Only one music event had been held at the premises in the past year.  The application was to allow them use their grounds to its full potential.

In response to a question regarding similar licenses in the area in respect of alcohol, the Licensing Team Leader provided details of the premises licence held by a neighbouring premises.

Following a question from the Lawyer (Contentious), the applicant confirmed that he would be happy to restrict the ‘events’ requested to six per year, and the hours for live music outside to be 21:30.  He considered the winter months would from October until March, and with no outside entertainment during that period.

The Chair invited interested parties to ask  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.