Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor Mrs F J Colthorpe had sent her apologies for the meeting and was substituted by Cllr Mrs B M Hull.

To elect a Chairman for the Hearing.

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

Cllr T G 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 Moorhayes Community Centre, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 6TN. 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 * of the Head of Human Resources and Development relating to an application that had been received for a new premises licence for Moorhayes Community Centre, Tiverton.

The Members and officers introduced themselves, as did the applicant and representatives from the Moorhayes Community Centre Management Committee.

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

There were no interests to declare.

The Lead Licensing Officer outlined the contents of the report making reference to the following:

·         A licence for the premises had been in existence since 2007, the new application related to a new bar and restaurant area, provision to hold up to six outside events per year and slightly longer opening hours on particular days of the week and New Year’s Eve.

·         A summary of the licensable activities applied for.

·         Comments made by the Police and Environmental Health as two of the Responsible Authorities. The Police had agreed additional conditions with the applicant in relation to risk assessing the requirement for SIA door supervisors, notifying the Police and Licensing Authority ot outside events in advance and CCTV on site. Environmental Health had no objections regarding noise and nuisances.

·         Four representations had been received. The applicant had discussed the concerns raised with 3 of the objectors and as a result of agreeing to remove the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises from the application, one of those representations had been withdrawn.

Following this the applicant was invited to present the application. He stated that the Management Committee had gradually been extending the property over the past four or five years. The centre was financially viable, membership numbers were increasing and there was a strong emphasis on attracting families. It was a well-established social centre with a busy schedule of events including birthday parties, christenings and sports related activities. The centre had raised its own funds to make improvements to the structure of the building. The building was well insulated and there were plans to look at installing air conditioning. The applicant confirmed that doors were kept closed after 10pm. There were also plans to plant a beech hedge to screen off neighbouring properties.

The applicant further explained that much of the litter surrounding the area came from the nearby Tesco’s store and they could not be held responsible for the rubbish which was dropped in the public areas. When questioned about the realistic number of outdoor events planned the applicant confirmed that it would be no more than one or two per year, one being a beer festival. Relationships with adjacent properties had been very good over the years and there had only ever been one complaint regarding noise. It was confirmed that there were regular arrangements for door staff and stewardship during events.

The Lead Licensing Officer summarised the representations from the objectors.

Mr Malcolm Phillips, Vice Chairman of Moorhayes Community Centre, addressed the Sub Committee and informed them that the centre was initially built as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.