The Office, 6 Lake Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU78RT.

Cllr A Barker (Chairman

Cllr C Gomm

Cllr K Janes

Cllr Berry (In attendance)

Cllr Bowater (In attendance)

Graham Kelman – Designated Premises Supervisor

Sue Childerhouse – Head of Public Protection

Mr D Pattenden – licensing Coordinator

Margaret James – Licensing Enforcement Officer

Helen Bell – Committee Service Officer

Stephen Pickering – Applicant

The Sub Committee noted the Licensing Procedure.

The Licensing Sub Committee noted the four licensing objectives.

The Sub-Committee considered a report from the Community Services Director which asked Members to determine an application for a Premises Licence, made under the Licensing Act 2003, to which an objection had been received.  A copy of the location plan was attached at Appendix A to the report submitted.

All parties present introduced themselves.

The Chairman outlined the procedure to be followed.

The Service Manager Public Protection introduced the report and confirmed that the Hearing would go ahead despite the objector not being present. The Sub Committee were advised that the application was for:

·         Extension of hours for supply of alcohol on Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7 Sunday;

·         Extension of opening hours on Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday;

·         Extension of hours for live & recorded music, dance and making music on Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

Representations had been received from one other persons which focused around the likelihood of noise issues.

The responsible authorities had no representations concerning the application.

Should the Sub Committee grant the licence the Police Licensing Officer had requested that conditions as set out at Appendix E to the report submitted be added to the licence.

The Chairman then invited Members to ask questions of the Service Manager Public Protection. 

The Service Manager Public Protection had no points requiring clarification.

The applicant outlined his case and referred to how he had worked hard to ensure the premises worked successfully with its customers and neighbouring properties.

All parties were invited to sum up their case.

The Sub-Committee adjourned in private to make its decision.  The Managing Solicitor remained with Members in the meeting room to advise as necessary.  The Hearing reconvened when the Sub-Committee had finished its deliberations and could announce its decision.

The Sub-Committee has decided that the application should be granted, subject to the following conditions, in addition to all other conditions already contained on the licence:

1.     The CCTV system is to be operational at all times when licensed activities are being carried out.  The system is to be adequately maintained and be capable of downloading recorded material onto removable media;

2.     CCTV footage will be made secure and retained for a minimum of 31 days.  CCTV footage to be supplied to the Police and authorised officers of Central Bedfordshire Council upon request;

3.     At all times when the premises is open to the public, there will be a member of staff on duty who is conversant with the operation of the CCTV system and who is able to download immediately any footage as requested by the police or an authorised officer from Central Bedfordshire Council.

With regard to SIA door staff:

4.     Where the premises trade beyond midnight on Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, the minimum number of SIA registered door staff to be on duty on the premises from 2100 hours until 30 minutes after the terminal hour for the sale of alcohol will be as follows:-

2 on Thursday and Sunday &

3 on Friday and Saturday.

5.     There will be no admission or readmission after 0400 hours.

The Sub-Committee considers the additional conditions necessary for the promotion of the licensing objectives.

In coming to its decision, the Sub-Committee has taken into account:

·           The Licensing Act;

·           The Secretary of State’s Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003;

·           Central Bedfordshire Council’s Licensing Policy; and

·           The merits of the application and the representations (including supporting information) presented by all parties.

Applicants, Licence Holders, Designated Premises Supervisors or any person who has made a relevant representation who is dissatisfied with this decision or the imposition of any condition or restriction has the right of appeal to the Magistrates Court within 21 days of the date on which they were notified of the decision.