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 emergency evacuation procedure.

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 Interests (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 meeting 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.

Councillor Cameron Beart declared a Disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interest in respect of Item 5 (Sex Establishments Policy) and Item 6 (Scrap Metal Policy) as both items had been considered recently at a meeting of the Queenborough Town Council (QTC) of which he was a member.  Councillor Beart stated that he had not voted on either item at that meeting.

The Council operates a scheme of public speaking at meetings of the General Licensing Committee.  Requests to speak at the meeting must be registered with Democratic Services by 4.30pm on Friday 3 September 2021 and must be related to an item on the agenda.  Each speaker has a maximum of three minutes to speak.

No one had registered to speak in the Public Session.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report which presented the draft Sex Establishments Policy (Appendix I) and detailed the consultation response (Appendix II).

The Licensing Officer reported that two responses had been received, one from QTC who supported the Policy.  The other response recommended mentioning 18-year-olds and older more in the Policy and that high visibility stickers were clearly displayed at premises and obscured glass panels be provided at premises.  The Licensing Officer explained that officers considered the mentioning of 18-year-olds and older in the Policy, but felt the policy covered this.  However, whilst there was reference to obscure glazed doors for sex cinemas this was not a requirement for sex shops.  The Licensing Officer proposed therefore, that it be included as an additional condition for sex shops. 

There were no questions from Members.

Resolved:

(1)      That the comments made in the evaluation grid attached as Appendix II to the report be noted.

(2)      That an additional condition be imposed requiring entrance doors to be obscure glazed in respect of sex shops as minuted.

(3)      That the draft Sex Establishments Policy as set-out in Appendix I to the report be adopted to run for a period of 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2024.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report which presented the draft Scrap Metal Dealers policy (Appendix I) and detailed the consultation response (Appendix II).

The Licensing Officer reported that two responses to the consultation had been received.  QTC had noted the consultation and supported the Policy.  The other response suggested restricting the hours at a site in Sittingbourne.  The Licensing Officer explained that the Council could only impose conditions relating to opening hours if the applicant or site manager had been convicted of a relevant offence.  Therefore no change to the Policy was recommended and Members were asked to adopt the Policy as proposed.

There were no questions from Members.

Resolved:

(1)  That the comments made in the evaluation grid at Appendix II of the report be noted.

(2)  That the draft Scrap Metal Dealers Policy as set out in Appendix I of the report be adopted to run for a period of 1 October 2021 – 30 September 2024.