Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for the Sub-Committee B meeting.

Councillor Michael Goodridge was elected as Chairman for the meeting.

Purpose

The purpose of the report is to enable the Sub-Committee to consider an

application for a new Premises Licence  for Farnham Castle, Castle Street, Farnham, Surrey GU9 0AG under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003, made by Compass Group UK and Ireland Limited , the current premises licence holders of an existing licence for the premises. Eight relevant representations have been received from ‘other persons’ and one from Environmental Health acting as a Responsible Authority.

Recommendation

·         It is recommended that the Sub-Committee considers the application and evidence of all parties involved at the hearing and then determine the application .

·         Members must determine the application in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005.

·         The Sub-Committee should take such steps (as described at paragraph 8.11 below) as it considers appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives.

Once determined, the licensing authority must provide notification of the decision including its reasons to the applicant, any person who has made relevant representations and the Chief Officer of Police for the area in which the premises is situated.

The Committee received an application for a new Premises Licence for Farnham Castle, Castle Street, Farnham, GU9 0AG, where eight objections had been received.

One representative was present to outline the proposals.  There were 3 neighbours of the castle present to make representation of objections.  One member of Farnham Town Council who was also a ward councillor was also present to make objections to the proposal.  Their concerns were around noise, their privacy and safety.

The Licensing Officer explained that Farnham Castle currently held a licence to play live or recorded music and to sell alcohol until 1am.  They wished to increase this by one hour until 2pm. 

The applicant confirmed he was also looking to have an earlier start on the sale of alcohol to supply wedding guests.  He was looking to move the time from 12 noon to 10am and he wished to be able to serve food until 2am.

Concern was raised by the objectors that bottles were thrown into a neighbouring garden and that people at events at the castle sat on a wall overlooking neighbouring gardens and posed a safety risk.

There was a discussion around the wording of condition 4 suggested by Environmental Health.  There was concern that it could allow events with amplified speech in the rose garden and keep to continue until 2am. 

The Committee sought to clarify that were permission to be granted, the previous License would be surrendered.  It was agreed that it would be.

The Committee clarified that fireworks were outside of the scope of the Committee to regulate.  It was noted that Environmental Health had put in a condition which the castle were prepared to accept to limit events with fireworks to 18 times a year, lasting no more than 6 minutes and using low impact fireworks. 

Following the conclusion of questions the Sub-Committee withdrew at 11.20 to consider the application.  The Sub-Committee was reconvened at 12.21.

The Sub-Committee agreed to the application subject to the following conditions which had been agreed to between the applicant and Environmental Health:

·         Noise from the premises would not unreasonably disturb other people

·         If the Council received justified complaints about noise that could not otherwise be resolved, a noise limiting device would be installed at the premises and maintained in such a manner as to control all sources of amplified music and speech at the premises.  The device would be used at all times during the entertainment, set at a level agreed in writing with the Council and sealed in a manner which was tamper proof.

·         No music or speech would be replayed vis external speakers other than for events detailed in Condition 4.

·         There would be no more than 12 external events per year involving amplified speech and music.  The 12 external events / activities involving amplified speech and music would finish by 22.00 hours, other than on 3 of the 12 occasions a year when they shall finish at 23.00 hours.  There would be no more than 2 of these  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

To consider any legal advice relating to any applications in the agenda.

[Note: Reports relating to confidential or exempt information may be excluded from those copies of the agenda provided for inspection by members of the public if they relate to matters during which the meeting is likely not to be open to the public.]