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 drew attention to the Emergency Evacutation Procedure.

In welcoming all Members and members of the public, the Chairman explained

which officers were in attendance. All those present at the meeting were asked 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 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.

No interests were declared.

To consider a new premises licence for Christine House, London Road, Rainham.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report which was for an application for a new Premises Licence at Christine House, London Road, Rainham. She outlined the proposed activities and hours, set-out at paragraph 3.2 of the Committee report. She informed the Sub-Committee that although no representations from Kent Police or Environmental Health Team had been received, they had sought additional conditions, which were set-out in Appendices III and IV of the Committee report, and which the Applicant had been happy to agree to. The Licensing Officer reported that two representations had been made, one member of public and one from Hartlip Parish Council, and these were set-out at Appendix V of the report.

Members of the Sub-Committee were invited to ask questions and points raised included;

·             What plans were being put in place to provide suitable ventilation whilst the doors and windows would be shut?;

·             what type of music would be played outside of the venue?;

·             how would staff come home after working a late shift at the venue;

·             sought clarification on what time people would be leaving the venue; and

·             wanted to make sure that the venue would be closed by 1am.

The Chairman invited the Applicant to present their case. Mrs Adeosun said that the venue had not been opened yet as they had problems with supplies and were still decorating the venue. She had hoped that if the licence was granted they could start taking bookings for Christmas 2021. She clarified that a new ventilation system would be installed and that the music outside the venue was only ambient sound and not live bands. She informed the Sub-Committee that staff were able to stay in the accommodation on site and a company car would be provided to some staff to ensure they got home safely.

Members of the Sub-Committee adjourned to make their decision at 10:45am. Members of the Sub-Committee, the Contentious Team Leader and Democratic Services Officer returned at 10:57am and the decision, attached as Appendix I to these minutes, was announced.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Licence set out in Appendix I to these minutes be granted subject to the conditions set out in the Committee report.