Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Maidstone Room, The Hazlitt Theatre, Earl Street, Maidstone

Contact: Poppy Brewer  01622 602242

Items
No. Item

17.

Disclosures by Members and Officers

Minutes:

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

 

18.

Disclosures of Lobbying

Minutes:

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

 

19.

To consider whether any items should be taken in private because of the possible disclosure of exempt information

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.

 

20.

Report of the Head of Housing and Community Services - Application for a premises licence to be varied under the Licensing Act 2003 for Bredhurst Village Hall pdf icon PDF 102 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman requested all those persons participating in the hearing to identify themselves as follows:

 

Councillor Denise Joy - Chairman

Councillor Janetta Sams – Member

Councillor Val Springett – Member

Robin Harris – Legal Advisor

Poppy Collier – Committee Clerk

Tim Gough – Applicant

Alan Tuff – Witness for the applicant

John Chalmers - Objector

Graham Elford-Knox – Objector

Martin Jones – Objector

Vanessa Jones – Objector

Pamela Newman – Objector

 

The Chairman confirmed that all parties had received a copy of the hearing procedure document, and explained the procedures for submissions, discussion and cross-examination. The sub-committee Members affirmed that they had pre-read all papers and documents contained in the report regarding the hearing.

 

It was stated that no draft conditions had been agreed between the applicant and any of the other parties.

 

The legal advisor provided a brief outline of the application and the representations received.

 

The Chairman invited the applicant, Mr Tim Gough, to provide opening remarks. Mr Gough, Chairman of the Bredhurst Village Hall Management Committee, advised that they had received no complaints regarding events held at the hall, and no representations from the Police.

 

Mr Gough stated that:

 

·  The maximum allowed number of Temporary Events Notices (TENs) had been applied for and granted during the previous year. No live music events had been held over the previous year due to all TENs licences being used for other purposes. The Management Committee wished to reinstate these are they were a good source of income and popular within the local community.

·  The variation of the licence was required to raise income from weddings and parties, and would be used to make improvements to the Village Hall. Research undertaken suggested that a lack of bar service was deterring prospective hirers. The local, regular booked events would continue unaffected, but those regular users would also benefit from the clarity provided by the extension of the licence allowing the sale of alcohol.

·  Procedures were in place to ensure activities carried out at the Hall were considerate to the surrounding area, and the Management Committee implemented and maintained processes regarding fire safety, first aid, safe-guarding and data protection. Signage at the venue directed visitors to respect the neighbouring properties. Hirers who wished to provide their own refreshments were requested to complete a form featuring the licensing requirements, ensuring that they were compliant.

·  The Management Committee had no intention for the venue to be used as a social club or public house, and the charitable status of the hall also prevented these uses.

 

Mr Gough addressed the objections that had been received as follows:

 

·  It was clear on the hiring form that hirer’s were not allowed to take their event outside of the boundaries of the Hall;

·  No issues with broken glass had been identified by the venue’s cleaner or reported to the Management Committee by others;

·  No complaints regarding noise had been received;

·  The notice given and advertising of events did not relate to the licensing objectives;

·  An extension in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Duration of meeting

Minutes:

10.00 a.m. to 13.05 p.m.