The meeting commenced at 2.05 p.m.

The Chairman requested that all those participating in the hearing identified themselves as follows:-

Councillor Mrs Susan Grigg – Chairman

Councillor Mrs Val Springett – Committee Member

Councillor Mrs Denise Joy – Committee Member

Robin Harris – Legal Officer

Lorraine Neale – Senior Licensing Officer

Caroline Matthews – Democratic Services Officer

For the Applicant –

PC James Williams – Kent Police

PSE Ellen Shaw – Kent Police

For the Licence Holder –

Leo Charalambides – Legal Representative

Luke Elford – Century Buildings (Rochester) Limited

Witnesses and legal representatives in support of the licence holder –

Mr David Fuller

Mr Trevor Modell

Miss Carla Helyar

The Chairman asked all parties to confirm that they were aware of the hearing procedure.

The Committee Members confirmed that they had pre-read all the agenda papers and any other documents regarding the hearing.

The Legal Officer advised that the Kent Police and the Applicant had agreed to modify the conditions and therefore the Legal Advisor for the Licence Holder would read out the conditions agreed:-

1.  The Premises Licence Holder will install and maintain a knife arch/metal detecting arch at the customer entrance to the Premises. All customers entering or re-entering the Premises shall pass through the knife arch/metal detecting arch and be searched in accordance with the Premises’ search policy.

2.  The Premises Licence Holder shall ensure that all performers and their pre-registered entourages attending the Premises are searched with a metal detecting wand and follow-up searches conducted in accordance with the Premises’ search policy.

3.  The Licence holder shall erect and maintain clear and prominent notices on the exterior of their premises advising patrons that those attending:

a.  It is a condition of entry that customers agree to be searched;

b.  Police will be informed if anyone is found in possession of controlled substances or weapons

4.  Door supervisors will undertake body searches, at least one male and one female door supervisor must be available to undertake the body searches of the same customer gender before gaining entry to the premises.

5.  Door Supervisors shall be responsible for the lawful searching and / or exclusion of those suspected of carrying illegal drugs, offensive weapons who attempt to gain entry into the premises.

6.  There will be a door control policy that outlines clear instruction and understanding of the door supervisor’s responsibilities at the premises.  This policy will contain:

a.  How door staff prevent overcrowding

b.  Supervise the queue to ensure that it is managed in a way that avoids rowdy, unpleasant behaviour and to keep customers quiet as to not disturb neighbours in the vicinity

c.  A procedure for door staff engaged in searching persons as a condition of entry

d.  To ensure the dispersal of patrons from the curtilage and grounds of the licensed premise immediately after the end of licensable activities

e.  Prevent patrons from leaving the premises with open containers and bottles

f.  To provide evidence by written statement to police in any criminal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9