Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notices of appointment of Substitute Members (if any).

Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs F J Colthorpe who was substituted by Cllr R Chesterton

To elect a Chairman for the meeting.

RESOLVED that Cllr L Taylor be elected Chairman of the Sub Committee for the meeting.

Cllr Taylor then took the Chair.

An application has been received for a new Premises Licence for Tiverton West End Bowling Club, West Exe Recreation Ground, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 5RP. As representations have been received by Mid Devon District Council, as the Licensing Authority, is obliged to hold a hearing to determine the application.

Consideration was given to a report * of the Lead Licensing Officer relating to an application that had been received by Tiverton West End Bowling Club, Tiverton.  This was a requirement of the Council as the Licensing Authority.

The Licensing Sub Committee decided that the meeting should be heard in public session.

There were no interests to declare.

The Group Manager for Public Health and Regulatory Services outlined the contents of the report making reference to the following:

·         The key differences between a club premise certificate which the Bowling Club already had and the premises license which they were applying for;

·         There had been no complaints received by the Police or the Licensing Authority against the applicant since they had been granted a club premise certificate in 2005;

·         The original inclusion for live, recorded music or related activities had been removed from the application as the requirement had been deregulated.

He reminded the Sub Committee of the licensing objectives which were:

·         The prevention of crime and disorder

·         Public safety

·         The prevention of public nuisance

·         The protection of children from harm

He confirmed that the applicant had offered the following conditions as part of the application:

·         Clear and legible notices to be displayed at all exits requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents

·         A written age verification policy (Challenge 25)

·         Consideration on advice from Responsible Authorities

He confirmed that the Authority had received 26 comments in support of the application and 23 in objection and that anonymous letters had been discounted as was standard practice. He further explained that only those representations which related to the four licensing objectives could be considered.

A number of representations mentioned the availability of parking in the surrounding area, which the applicant could not control and therefore was not a Licensing consideration.

Some representations had been received which were concerned with the health and safety of the general public (i.e. not people using the licensed premises) and he confirmed that the licence holders only responsibility was for their customers.

The Group Manager for Public Health and Regulatory Services explained the situation regarding the Designated Public Place Order for Westexe Park which had expired in October 2017. He confirmed that a transition arrangement was now in place until October 2020 and that the order meant that the Police could remove alcohol from underage drinkers, intoxicated persons or from anyone committing a public order offence. The Order did not ban anyone from taking alcohol into the park.

The officer also highlighted that the application was for the consumption of alcohol on the premises only, therefore that customers would not be permitted to purchase alcohol to take away and consume elsewhere.

With regards to representations citing anti-social behaviour in the park the officer explained that there was no evidence of a link between anti-social behaviour in the park and the Bowling Club. He further explained that the Club were responsible for the behaviour of their members but not the general public who used the public areas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.