Agenda and minutes

The Chair will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out under Note 5 on the previous page.

The Democratic Services Officer read out the procedure.

RESOLVED that a Vice-Chair was not required on this occasion.

There were none.

To receive any declarations from Members/Officers of personal/prejudicial interests in respect of matters for consideration at this meeting, together with their statements on the nature of any such interests declared.

There were none.

There was none.

The minutes of the meetings of 17^th December 2010 and 10^th January 2011 were approved and signed by the Chair.

The Chair will, if required, explain the licensing procedure.

The Chair drew attention to the licensing procedure, copies of which had been made available to those attending the meeting.

Applicant: Mr Craig Wetton, Premises Licence Holder & Honorary Treasurer, Keynsham Rugby Football Club.

Interested Parties: Mr and Mrs Bateman and Ms Blackwood.

The parties confirmed that they had received and understood the licensing procedure.

The Licensing Officer summarised the application. The applicant was seeking authority to vary the existing Premises Licence to correct a typing error so that the closing time in respect of Fridays reads 02:00 hours; to include the patio area within the boundary of the licensed premises; to remove all references to the use of marquees on the sports field from the premises licence and to remove all obsolete conditions and those that duplicate existing legislation from the licence. Relevant representations had been received from local residents in relation to prevention of public nuisance.

Mr Wetton stated the case for the applicant. He explained that he was trying to tidy up the existing licence as set out above. He acknowledged the concerns that had been raised by the Interested Parties to the application. He explained that it was a large club that had good relations with the local police and Neighbourhood Watch Groups and endeavoured to get on with its neighbours. In response to questions from members, Mr Wetton stated that the club has existed for 80 years and they had had live entertainment for at least 13 years. He explained that he was not aware of any complaints from local residents regarding the use of the patio area, he had only been aware of concerns regarding parking. He stated that the club no longer allowed 18^th birthday celebrations with a view to not upsetting its neighbours. He explained that the specified smoking area was at the front of the building (a covered area) and not the patio. He explained that the patio area could not be closed off during functions as it was a fire exit. Mrs Bateman, an Interested Party, asked if the doors would be kept open to the patio area until 11pm when there is a function. Mr Wetton replied that they would be kept shut in the main. The Licensing Officer explained that it was a condition of the licence that doors and windows are kept closed whenever regulated entertainment was taking place, and in any event after 11pm.

 Mrs Bateman, an Interested Party, stated her case. She said that she had no grievance against the club. She had moved into the area a year ago and had three young children. She said she had concerns about the use of the patio area, especially in the summer, due to the noise and potential disturbance caused. In response to questions from Members, Mrs Bateman explained that she has been disturbed by noise twice this year. She said the disturbance was worse in the summer months. She asked the applicant if he could fit an automatic door, the applicant explained that there were not the resources to do this but that there was a commitment to keep the front door closed. In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.