Agenda and minutes

Councillor Porter was elected as Chair.

The Chair introduced the Members of the Sub-Committee and officers in attendance and asked the Applicant and other parties to introduce themselves at the appropriate time. The Chair explained the procedures that would be followed during the meeting which were also summarised in Appendix E to the report.

In addition to the Members of the Sub-Committee and Council officers in attendance the following were present:

Mick Thorpe, Group Manager Planning and Economy – Representing Applicant, Gloucester City Council

Sheila McDaid, Markets and City Centre Service Manager – Representing applicant Gloucester City Council

John Osborne - Resident

Joan Page – Resident

To receive from Members, declarations of the existence of any disclosable pecuniary, or non-pecuniary, interests and the nature of those interests in relation to any agenda item. Please see Agenda Notes.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Licensing and Enforcement Officer presented a report detailing an application by Gloucester City Council for a new premises licence at Hempsted Meadow, Secunda Way, Hempsted, Gloucester, GL2 5GA under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003. The application was for regulated entertainment and late night refreshment.

Details of the application are referred to in Appendix A to the report.

The Sub-Committee had also received the following information –

A plan showing the layout and location of premises – Appendix B

Planning restrictions relating to the site – Appendix C

Copy of Representations from Residents – Appendix D

Procedure to be followed at a Hearing – Appendix E

The Licensing and Enforcement Officer referred Members to Appendix D which detailed representations received from 9 residents which primarily related to a perceived propensity for an increase in public nuisance should the licence be granted.

The Licensing and Enforcement Officer summarised the application and referred Members to the relevant sections of the City Council’s Licensing Policy Statement.

Members were advised that having considered the application, any relevant representations, the legislative provisions, the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and the Home Secretary’s Guidance, they had the following options as considered appropriate and proportionate to the promotion of the Licensing Objectives.

(a)        To accept the application and attach conditions as consistent                       with the operating schedule.

(b)        To accept the application and modify the conditions of the                            license which includes altering, omitting and adding new                               conditions.

(c)        To reject the whole, or part of the application.

The Sub-Committee was reminded of the City Council’s licensing objectives:-

            (a)       The prevention of crime and disorder

            (b)       Public Safety

            (c)        The prevention of public nuisance

            (d)       The protection of children from harm

Statement by the Applicant

Mr Thorpe commented that the reason for the application had two objectives, to enable the Council to stage events that would generate an income and to provide flexibility for events to be staged over the year run by others.

Mr Thorpe further commented that as applicant, officers would respond positively to the conditions recommended by Environmental Health and the Police. As part of the application, the cessation time of 1.30am as part of the late night refreshment application was an exception to the cessation times applied for in respect of other days of the week, namely 22.00 hrs Sunday to Thursday and 23:00 hrs Friday and Saturday. He stated that agreement had been reached to reduce the number of events permitted in a year to 12 instead 28, events having also to be 10 days apart.

In answer to a question from Mrs Page, Mr Thorpe reiterated that the New Years Eve event was a one-off activity. The responsibility for ensuring compliance with conditions rested with the promoter of the event and there was always a market officer available on 24 hour call out. There was a special phone line to the event organiser as part of the recommended conditions to the licence if granted.

The Licensing and Enforcement Manager commented  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.