Visitors and members of the public who are unfamiliar with the building and procedures are advised that:

(a)      The fire alarm is a continuous loud ringing. In the event that a fire drill is planned during the meeting, the Chair will advise of this.

(b)      Exit routes from the chamber are located on each side of the room, one directly to a fire escape, the other to the stairs opposite the lifts.

(c)      In the event of the alarm sounding, leave the building via the nearest safe exit and gather at the assembly point on the far side of the car park. Do not leave the assembly point or re-enter the building until advised to do so. Do not use the lifts.

(d)      Anyone unable to use the stairs should make themselves known during this agenda item.

The Chair outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

The Chair opened the meeting and asked those present to introduce themselves.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or friends.

The Chair will ask Members if they have any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or disclosable non-pecuniary interests (DNPIs) to declare in respect of items on the agenda. Members with a DPI in an item must leave the room for that item and may not participate in the debate or vote. 

Aside from disclosable interests, where a fair-minded and informed observer would think there was a real possibility that a Member might be biased or predetermined on an item, the Member should declare this and leave the room while that item is considered.

Members who are in any doubt about interests, bias or predetermination should contact the monitoring officer for advice prior to the meeting.

No interests were declared.

To consider a new premises licence at The Playa, The Leas, Minster-on-sea, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 2NL.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report which asked Members to consider an application for the grant of a new premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 at The Playa, The Leas, Minster-on sea, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 2NL.

She explained that the Premises was situated within the residential area and whilst there was an existing license in place with the previous tenant, an agreement to transfer was not met and therefore a new license had been applied for. The Licensing Officer referred to the existing license as set out at Appendix I of the report; the licensable activities being applied for were shown as paragraph 3.1 of the report; the full application as set out at Appendix II with the plan of the premises at Appendix III of the report.

The Licensing Officer advised that there was the statutory 28-day consultation period during which the responsible authorities, as well as interested parties, had the opportunity to comment on the application. For this application no representations were made by responsible authorities. However, a noise management plan was agreed with the Environmental Health, Swale Borough Council was set out at Appendix IV of the report; and agreed conditions were put in place by the Kent Police which were set out at Appendix V of the report.

The Licensing Officer said five representations had been received from the members of public, and were made on the basis of the licensing objective of prevention of public nuisance as shown at Appendix VI of the report. Of those who made objections, one attended the meeting to present their representation to Members.

The Chair asked the Applicant and their representative to present their case.

The Applicant’s comments are set out below:

·         The premises known as The Playa had been an established venue along The Leas prior to much of the surrounding residential development;

·         subsequent properties had been built in close proximity to the site which had a history of approved development, including previously granted permissions for a motel to the rear and a 120-seat extension to the side;

·         the site had long been considered suitable for substantial commercial leisure use. Historically, the premises operated with a marquee and associated music under the licence without significant or substantial issues being raised. There was a clear demand from patrons for the return of structured events and music, particularly during key seasonal periods;

·         the applicant recognised that the noise was the primary concern and they had put in  clear and enforceable controls; they had submitted a noise monitoring plan; agreed decibel limits, with no amplified music beyond set hours, with the speaker direction away from residential areas, and controlled shutdown procedures;

·         the premises would operate with appropriate safeguards, including CCTV, staff training, and instant recording procedures; door staff during events, a refusal log, and a challenge 25 Policy;

·         all events would be managed with appropriate capacity controls, trained staff, and risk assessments in place;

·         the applicant operated a strict age verification policy and ensured that family-friendly use remained appropriate during  ...  view the full minutes text for item 905.

The meeting was adjourned from 11.44 am until 12:04 pm.