Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:

That Cllr Ballantyne was duly elected as Chairman of the Sub Committee.

Members and officers are reminded to make any declarations of disclosable pecuniary, personal and/or prejudicial interests they may have in respect of matters on the agenda for this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Secret Boardroom, 2 Petersfield Road, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9JH

Application for a PREMISES LICENCE (Application Number – 233/01008/LAPRE)

(a)           Chair opens the Hearing.

(b)           Items arising from Regulation 6 Notice (Notice of Hearing).

(c)           Notice of any representations withdrawn.

(d)           The procedure will then follow the Sub-Committee protocol and    procedure note attached

The Chairman opened the Hearing.

The Chairman invited Mr Foord to make his introduction.

Licensing Manager’s Introduction

Mr Foord explained that the reconvened Alcohol & Licensing Sub-Committee was being held to determine an application for a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003 submitted to this Licensing Authority by The Secret Boardroom Ltd of The Secret Boardroom, 2 Petersfield Road, Midhurst, West Sussex. Mr Foord clarified that the application relates to the same address of the applicant at 2 Petersfield Road, Midhurst, West Sussex and follows the originally adjourned meeting held on 24 July 2023. At the first hearing Mr David Knowles-Ley, Licensing Manager introduced the application as it was framed at that time. Mr Foord went onto state that proceedings were halted because on the day a sound insulation assessment undertaken by Venta acoustics instructed by the applicant was presented and as a result there was insufficient time for it to be considered by the Environmental Protection Team in their role as a Responsible Authority.

Mr Foord stated that since the first hearing in July he has been aware of significant mediation between the applicant Ms Shakilla Mahabir and the Environmental Protection Team. This has resulted in several changes to the original application. Mr Foord stated that live and recorded music were deregulated and removed from consideration. Additionally, Mr Foord clarified that late night refreshments were no longer applicable.

Mr Nicholas Bennet, Monitoring Officer clarified that the Environmental Protection Team were still relevant authority and that their views on the license as a whole remain a key part of the authority’s evidence.

The Environmental Protection team outlined their representation and also explained that they would no longer object on the proviso of the revised application that has been made and the suggested conditions if they were to go onto the licence. They stated that they had received the noise report from Venta Acoustics. They produced a considered summary for the applicant in which they state that the Venta Acoustics report found put that the separating structure between the commercial premises below and the flats above were poor. However, the report did conclude that the structure could support music of mid 50 decibels before 11 pm.

The Chairman invited the Licensing Manager to make his summary.

Mr Foord stated that the Licensing Act 2003 and accompanying regulations require the council as local licensing authority carry out its functions with a view to promoting the four licensing objectives which are:

1.    The preventions of crime and disorder

2.    Public safety

3.    Prevention of public nuisance

4.    Protection of children from harm

Mr Foord stated that in reaching their determination the Sub Committee must have regard to recently revised guidance from the Home Office in December 2022. Mr Foord highlighted the Chichester DC Statement of Licensing Policy. He explained that it set out the general approach taken by the Licensing Authority when considering licences under the Licensing Act. He reminded the Sub-Committee that each application must be considered on its own merit.

He  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

(a)            items added to the agenda papers and made available for public inspection;

(b)            items which the chairman has agreed should be taken as matters of urgency by reason of special circumstances to be reported at the meeting.

There were no late items to consider.