Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notices of Substitution (if any).

Apologies were received from Cllr N V Davey who was substituted by Cllr Mrs F J Colthorpe.

Apologies were received from Cllr J M Downes who was substituted by Cllr Mrs G Doe.

Apologies were received from Cllr P H D Hare-Scott who was substituted by Cllr T G Hughes.

To elect a Chairman for the Hearing.

RESOLVED that Cllr T G Hughes be elected Chairman of the Sub Committee for the meeting.

Cllr Hughes then took the Chair.

To receive a report from the Head of Human Resources and Development. An application has been received for a new premises licence for Elmore, Horsdon Park, Heathcoat Way, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 4DB. Relevant representations have been received. Accordingly, Mid Devon District Council as the licensing authority is obliged to hold a hearing to determine the application.

Consideration was given to a report * from the Head of Human Resources and Development containing relevant information in relation to an application that had been received for a new premises licence for Elmore, Horsdon Park, Tiverton.

The Members and Officers introduced themselves.

Cllr Mrs F J Colthorpe declared a personal interest in that she had attended events at the Tiverton Hotel in the past and in fact was due to attend an event this coming weekend.

The Sub Committee agreed that the hearing be held in public.

The Public Health and Professional Services Manager outlined the contents of the report. A description of the premises was provided and it was explained that the club had held a Club Premises Certificate for approximately 10 years. In that time, the club had also applied for a number of Temporary Event Notices but now wished to apply for a new overarching premises licence. There was a key difference between what was being applied for in terms of indoor and outdoor events. The application stated that all outdoor events would terminate at midnight.

Following consultation the Licensing Authority had received responses from both the Police and Environmental Health. Suggested conditions upon the licence had been offered by both parties and these were contained within the annexes to the report. A total of 9 valid representations from local residents had also been received.

The Applicant, Mr Hewitt, was invited to make his representation to the Sub Committee. He explained that it was never the clubs intention to hold events 7 days a week. The fact that it was primarily a football club greatly restricted the number of months available to hold outside events on the pitch. The pitch could not be used between the months of September to the following May each year. There was also the need to conduct pitch repairs during the summer months which may take up to 6 weeks. Therefore the window of opportunity to hold licensable activities outside was greatly reduced.

He further explained that he was prepared to accept the condition of two outdoor events per year. He was aware of issues in relation to noise which is why he had applied for outdoor events to finish at midnight. The Sub Committee questioned Mr Hewitt on how wide the leaflet drop was before an event. Mr Hewitt explained that leaflets were dropped to all properties in Kings Crescent, Queensway and those at the Tiverton end of Blundells Road. The event was also very well advertised around the town and on the website. The Chairman asked the objectors present to comment on what had been said regarding the leaflet drop. Comments were made such that leaflets had only been received two days before an event date. It was felt that there had not been enough consultation with local residents.

Environmental Health, a Responsible Authority represented by Mr Ian Winter, was then asked to present his evidence. It was explained that this was a problematic site in an urban setting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.