Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Officer read out the procedure.

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

Councillor Douglas Nicol had sent his apologies to the Sub-Committee. Councillor Dine Romero acted as his substitute for the duration of the meeting.

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other interest,  (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officer before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

Councillor Dine Romero declared a non-pecuniary interest during agenda item 8 (Application for a Premises Licence - The Coco Lounge, 55 High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DQ). Councillor Romero stated that she had met the applicant, Mrs Copsey a number of years ago when her eldest daughter had attended a school where Mrs Copsey was employed.

There was none.

These were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

Applicant: The Coco Lounge (South West) Limited, represented by Sally Hills (Chebsey & Co) and Mr & Mrs Copsey (Co-owners of The Coco Lounge (South West) Limited).

The Licensing Officer summarised the application, which was for a new Premises Licence. The details of the application were set out in paragraph 4.2 of the report.

She confirmed that representations had been received from the Stanley Court Residents’ Association, two Stanley Court residents, the PEOPLE charity and Midsomer Norton Town Council over their concerns that the applicant’s proposals would undermine both the crime prevention and the prevention of public nuisance objectives.

She added that the Stanley Court Residents’ Association had proposed a condition that ‘No alcohol be served to the terrace area after 9.00pm’. In response to this the applicant had agreed in writing to the following condition:

‘The terrace area will not be used after 9.00pm’

Sally Hills stated the case for the applicant. She explained that the premises were currently in use as a coffee shop that also served food and that the intention would be to become more of a bistro to compliment the current menu and the new tapas menu. She informed the Sub-Committee that they planned to serve a small range of wine and bottled beer.

She confirmed that Mr Copsey had met with residents of Stanley Court and agreed the proposed additional condition.

In reply to questions from the Sub-Committee Mrs Copsey stated that alcohol would only be served with food and that the outside area would be used for dining during the day.

Councillor Linda Dunford, Midsomer Norton Town Council addressed the Sub-Committee to say that having been approached by residents over noise concerns they were pleased to see that a condition had been agreed.

Dr Jenny Clifford, on behalf of PEOPLE charity addressed the Sub-Committee to say that they were concerned over the use of the terraced area after 5.00pm because some of their service users were recovering alcoholics.

Following an adjournment, the Sub-Committee RESOLVED to grant the application, subject to the mandatory conditions for the sale of alcohol, the additional condition proposed by the applicant, i.e. the terrace would not be used after 9.00pm (Friday and Saturday), and to the conditions consistent with the Operating Schedule. Authority was granted to the Licensing Officer to issue the licence accordingly.

REASONS

Members have today determined an application for the grant of a new premises licence for The Coco Lounge, 55 High Street, Midsomer Norton. 

In doing so they have taken account of the Licensing Act, Human Rights Act, the Council’s Policy and the Statutory Guidance.

Members are aware that the proper approach under the Licensing Act is to do only what is necessary and proportionate to promote the licensing objectives in light of what is presented to them.

Members considered the relevant representations and took account of the evidence put before them.  They were careful to balance the competing interests of the applicant, and those of the Interested Parties, in reaching a decision.

Members noted that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.