Agenda and minutes

Under the terms of reference for the Licensing Committee each Sub-Committee is required to elect a Chairman on an ad hoc basis for the duration of the meeting.

            RESOLVED:

That, in accordance with the terms of reference for the Licensing Committee, Councillor M Cohen be elected Chairman for the duration of the Sub-Committee meeting.

(Head of Research and Democratic Services) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct.

The Sub-Committee noted the agreed procedure for the conduct of business, and the terms of reference.

To consider whether, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press should be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below on grounds that they will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act indicated:

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items which are confidential under Section 100(A)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972:

Paragraph 9 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Constitution require:

(1)       All business of the Council requiring to be transacted in the presence of the press and public to be completed by 10.00 p.m. at the latest.

(2)       At the time appointed under (1) above, the Chairman shall permit the completion of debate on any item still under consideration, and at his or her discretion, any other remaining business whereupon the Council shall proceed to exclude the public and press.

(3)       Any public business remaining to be dealt with shall be deferred until after the completion of the private part of the meeting, including items submitted for report rather than decision.

Background Papers:  Paragraph 8 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules of the Constitution define background papers as being documents relating to the subject matter of the report which in the Proper Officer's opinion:

(a)            disclose any facts or matters on which the report or an important part of the report is based;  and

(b)       have been relied on to a material extent in preparing the report does not include published works or those which disclose exempt or confidential information (as defined in Rule 10) and in respect of executive reports, the advice of any political advisor.

Inspection of background papers may be arranged by contacting the officer responsible for the item.

The Sub-Committee noted that there were no items of business on the agenda that necessitated the exclusion of the public and press from the meeting.

            Recommendation:

To consider an application to vary a premises licence at the Garnon Bushes in Coopersale Common.

(Head of Environmental Services) An application to vary a premises licence for the above premises has been received, along with representations from the responsible authority for Planning (Appendix 1).

The Environmental Health Manager reported that the representation that had previously been made by the responsible authority for Planning had been withdrawn. Thus, Officers in accordance with delegated powers had subsequently dealt with the application and the item had been withdrawn from the agenda.

            Recommendation:

To consider an application to vary a premises licence at the Half Moon in Epping.

(Head of Environmental Services) An application to vary a premises licence for the above premises has been received, along with representations from interested parties and the responsible authority for Environmental Control (Appendix 2).

The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors Cohen, Maclaine and Wright. The Chairman welcomed the participants and requested that they introduce themselves to the Sub-Committee and Officers. In attendance on behalf of the application were: Mr S Head, Area Manager for Punch Taverns; Mr M Sharp, designated Premises Supervisor; and his wife Mrs S Sharp. There were no objectors in attendance. The Chairman then introduced the members and officers present, and explained the procedure that would be followed for the determination of the application.

(a)        The Application before the Panel

The Environmental Health Manager informed the Sub-Committee that an application to vary a Premises Licence had been received in respect of the Half Moon in the High Street, Epping, along with representations from interested parties. The application had requested permission to serve alcohol until 12.00am on Monday to Wednesday, 1.00am on Thursday to Saturday, and 11.30am on Sunday. The application had requested that the premises be open to the public from 10.00am Monday to Saturday and 12.00pm on Sunday until 30 minutes after the sale of alcohol had ended. In addition, permission was sought to allow Live Music on the premises until the sale of alcohol had ended, and Recorded Music until 30 minutes after the sale of alcohol had ended. The application had also requested that an extra hour be permitted for licensable activities on the Sunday and Monday of all Bank Holiday weekends, including Easter, and until 1.00am on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

(b)            Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

Mr Head informed the Sub-Committee that the Sharps had taken over at the Half Moon on 17 May 2005, and hence had no knowledge of any previous problems associated with the premises. There had been only one complaint received since the Sharps assumed control, and a written response had been provided to the complainant within two days. As a result, the level of music emanating from the premises was now being investigated in order to avoid causing any public nuisance. Mr Head further added that the representation from the responsible authority for Environmental Health had been withdrawn as the necessary measures had been agreed with the Noise Control Team. Finally, the Patio area at the premises would be cleared by 11.30pm each evening, and signage would be displayed requesting patrons to leave the premises quietly so as to not disturb local residents.

(c)            Questions for the Applicant from the Sub-Committee

In response to questions from the Sub-Committee, Mr Head explained that parking was limited at the premises with only eight to ten spaces at the front. Mr Sharp added that the Patio area was also in the Car Park to the front of the premises, and that there were no problems envisaged in clearing that area of patrons by 11.30pm each evening and it would also continue to be monitored to ensure that it stayed clear of patrons. The installation of closed circuit television to monitor the area was under consideration, but was expensive to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

            Recommendation:

To consider an application to vary a premises licence at the Sixteen String Jack in Theydon Bois.

(Head of Environmental Services) An application to vary a premises licence for the above premises has been received, along with representations from interested parties (Appendix 3).

The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors Cohen, Maclaine and Wright. The Chairman welcomed the participants and requested that they introduce themselves to the Sub-Committee and Officers. In attendance on behalf of the application were: Mr G Rollings, Regional Manager for McMullins; and Mr A Compton, the designated Premises Supervisor. There were no objectors in attendance. The Chairman then introduced the Members and Officers present, and explained the procedure that would be followed for the determination of the application.

(a)        The Application before the Sub-Committee

The Environmental Health Manager informed the Sub-Committee that an application to vary a Premises Licence had been received in respect of the Sixteen String Jack in Theydon Bois, along with representations from interested parties. The application had requested permission to:

·                     serve alcohol until 12.00am on Sunday to Thursday, and 1.00am on Friday and Saturday as well as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve;

·                     be open to the public from 10.00am each day to 12.30am on Sunday to Thursday and 1.30am on Friday to Saturday, as well as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve;

·                     provide late night refreshment between 11.00pm and the close of business each day;

·                     perform live and recorded music until 11.00pm each evening;

·                     show video entertainment on TV screens and amusement machines whilst the premises were open; and

·                     allow indoor sporting events whilst the premises were open.

(b)            Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

Mr Rollings informed the Sub-Committee that the Sixteen String Jack had always been a traditional family public house, serving lunchtime and evening food and providing popular indoor games. There had been no anti-social behaviour in the area from customers of the establishment, and notices had been erected requesting the patrons to respect the neighbours and leave the premises quickly and quietly. Mr Rollings reaffirmed that the premises did not wish music or entertainment to continue after 11.00pm, except Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve when permission was sought for the entertainment to continue until 12.30am. The maximum number of performers would be restricted to just two, as the premises did not wish to host large bands. Finally, Mr Rollings stated that the access to the premises was a Highways issue and reminded the Sub-Committee that there had been no representation from the resident that lived in the lane.

(c)            Questions for the Applicant from the Sub-Committee

In response to questions from the Sub-Committee, Mr Rollings explained that there was a small beer garden to the left and rear of the premises. There was no entertainment planned for the beer garden, and there would be no objection if the Sub-Committee requested that the Beer Garden be closed by 11.00pm each evening. Mr Rollings clarified that the timings requested for Schedule B on the application form was not necessarily for the showing of films, but to cover the next generation of gaming machines when they were installed, although Mr Rollings stated that there would be no objection if the actual showing of films was not permitted after 11.00pm. Mr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

            Recommendation:

To consider an application to vary a premises licence at the Railways Arms in Theydon Bois.

(Head of Environmental Services) An application to vary a premises licence for the above premises has been received, along with representations from the responsible authority for Planning (Appendix 4).

The Sub-Committee was reconvened at 12.30pm. The Environmental Health Manager reported that the representation that had previously been made by the responsible authority for Planning had been withdrawn. Thus, Officers in accordance with delegated powers had subsequently dealt with the application and the item had been withdrawn from the agenda.

            Recommendation:

To consider an application to vary a premises licence at the Bakers Arms in Sewardstone Road.

(Head of Environmental Services) An application to vary a premises licence for the above premises has been received, along with representations from the responsible authority for Planning (Appendix 5).

The Environmental Health Manager reported that the representation that had previously been made by the responsible authority for Planning had been withdrawn. Thus, Officers in accordance with delegated powers had subsequently dealt with the application and the item had been withdrawn from the agenda.

            Recommendation:

To consider an application to vary a premises licence at the White Hart in the High Street, Roydon.

(Head of Environmental Services) An application to vary a premises licence for the above premises has been received, along with representations from interested parties and the responsible authority for Planning (Appendix 6).

The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors Cohen, Maclaine and Wright. The Chairman welcomed the participants and requested that they introduce themselves to the Sub-Committee and Officers. In attendance of behalf of the application were: Mrs K Makepease, the designated Premises Supervisor; and her legal representation Ms B Razaq. Mr G Courtney represented the responsible authority for planning. In attendance on behalf of the objectors were: Mr D Richardson; Mrs L Richardson; Mrs A Burgess; and the local District Council ward Member, Councillor Mrs M Sartin. The Chairman then introduced the Officers and Members present, and explained the procedure that would be followed for the determination of the application.

(a)        The Application before the Sub-Committee

The Environmental Health Manager informed the Sub-Committee that an application to vary a Premises Licence had been received from the White Hart public house in The High Street, Roydon, along with representations from interested parties. The application had requested permission for the premises to:

·                     serve alcohol until 2.00am every day;

·                     be open from 8.00am until 3.00am every day;

·                     perform live music until 1.30am every day; and

·                     play recorded music until 1.30am every day.

(b)            Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

Ms Razaq informed the Sub-Committee that the White Hart public house was a listed building dating from the 15^th Century. It had a capacity of approximately 120 in the bar, 26 covers in the restaurant, four tables on the patio area to the front, and the car park could accommodate 20 vehicles. Ms Razaq stated that Mrs Makepease was a very responsible landlady, and that there were no problems with drugs or underage drinking at the premises. The clientele were mainly local people between the ages of 30 and 50 years old, although there was some passing trade at weekends. A refurbishment had been planned, estimated to cost in the region of £500,000, and Mrs Makepease had intended to live on the premises when the works had been completed.

Ms Razaq stated that Mrs Makepease was wiling to work with the responsible authorities, and following the representations made to her original application, had offered the following variations in the hours requested:

·                     Sale of alcohol to be permitted until 12.00am from Sunday to Thursday;

·                     Sale of alcohol to remain until 2.00am from Friday to Saturday as per the original application;

·                     Premises to be open until 12.30am from Sunday to Thursday;

·                     Premises to be open until 2.30am from Friday to Saturday;

·                     Live Music to finish by 11.30pm from Sunday to Thursday;

·                     Live Music to finish by 12.00am from Friday to Saturday;

·                     Recorded Music to be permitted until 11.30pm from Sunday to Thursday; and

·                     Recorded Music to be permitted until 12.00am from Friday to Saturday.

Ms Razaq stated that the original hours that had been applied were simply intended to give the premises maximum flexibility; it was never intended to open until 3.00am every night. Ms Razaq added that even with the revised hours requested, the premises would not serve alcohol until 2.00am every Friday  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.