Agenda and minutes
Venue: Remote Meeting - The public proceedings of the meeting will be broadcast live and recorded for playback on the Maidstone Borough Council Website.
Contact: Committee Services 01622 602899
No. | Item |
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Apologies for Absence Minutes: There were no apologies for absence. |
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Notification of Substitute Members Minutes: There were no Substitute Members. |
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Election of the Chairman Minutes: RESOLVED: That Councillor Garten be elected as Chairman for the duration of the meeting. |
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Disclosures by Members and Officers Minutes: There were no disclosures by Members or Officers. |
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Disclosures of Lobbying Minutes: There were no disclosures of lobbying. |
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EXEMPT ITEMS Minutes: RESOLVED: That all items be taken in public as proposed. |
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Additional documents:
Minutes: The persons participating in the hearing were identified as follows:
Chairman – Councillor Garten Committee Member – Councillor Brindle Committee Member – Councillor Joy
Legal Advisor – Mr Robin Harris
Online Facilitator/Democratic Services Officer – Miss Oliviya Parfitt
Applicant – The Committee of Marden Cricket and Hockey Club, Jo Hayes
Witnesses to be called by the Applicant:
Charlotte Hope – Vice-Chairman of the Marden Cricket and Hockey Club
All parties confirmed that they were aware of the Sub-Committee hearing procedure and had received a copy of the hearing procedure document.
The Chairman explained that:
· The Sub-Committee would allow all parties to put their case fully and make full submissions within a reasonable time frame.
· The procedure would take the form of a discussion led by the Sub-Committee and they would usually permit cross-examination conducted within a reasonable timeframe.
· Any persons attending the hearing who behaved in a disruptive manner may be directed to leave the hearing by the Sub-Committee (including temporarily) after which, such person may submit to the Sub-Committee over the Instant Messaging facility any information which that person would have been entitled to give orally had the person not been required to leave the meeting. If this is not possible, they may be permitted to speak at the Chairman’s Invitation.
The Sub-Committee agreed to proceed in the absence of any other parties and confirmed that they had read the papers.
The Chairman enquired whether any draft conditions had been agreed between the applicant and other parties; no draft conditions had been agreed.
The applicant’s witness was invited to address the panel and referenced the significant growth in the club’s membership since 2018, with the variation application submitted to better suit the club’s business needs. The low membership cost was mentioned, with additional income generated through conducting sports-related events and renting the club room for low-key events. The showing of films would be to supplement the income generated, rather than to turn the venue into a night-time or entertainment venue. The change in opening hours was to provide refreshments to individuals whilst club matches were played prior to 11am.
Specific attention was drawn to the licensing objectives against which the objections had been received; public nuisance, crime and disorder and public safety. The witness argued that the variation application had been misunderstood, as earlier rather than later opening times had been requested and these were unlikely to negatively affect the licensing objectives.
The Legal Advisor highlighted that provided the necessary actions took place, variation from the order of proceedings was acceptable, in light of the witness having been called to speak first. Mr Harris summarised the variation application and noted that no objections had been received from responsible authorities but that several objections had been received from local residents.
The Council as the Licensing Authority, the applicant and numerous objectors had conversed on potential draft conditions prior to the hearing, from which the applicant was advised to clarify the exact hours requested within the variation application to be ... view the full minutes text for item 43. |