Meeting documents

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (adopted July 2012), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests , Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also "prejudicial") in relation to any matter on the Agenda for this meeting. A DPI is defined in The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012 No. 1464) and Appendix 3 of the Council’s Code of Conduct.  A personal interest is defined in paragraph 2.8 of the Code and a prejudicial interest is defined in paragraph 2.9. In the interests of complete transparency, Members of the County Council, who are not also members of this committee, are encouraged to declare any interests they may have in any matters being discussed even though they may not be under any obligation to do so under any relevant code of conduct.

There were no declarations of interest made by members of the Sub-Committee.

The Licensing Officer advised that she regularly attended the Projects Zero events held at Club Neo although these events were not related to the Temporary Event Notices and her report did not make any recommendations to the Committee. 

The Committee noted the procedure to be followed under the Licensing Act 2003 when an objection to a Temporary Events Notice (TEN) has been received.  The Chairman introduced the members of the Sub-Committee, the Officers and the Parties present at the hearing.

The Chairman confirmed the following points:

·         That the Officer’s report relating to the case, the procedure to be adopted during the hearing and the documents which the authority is required to provide under the Regulations had been received by all parties in advance of the meeting;

·         That no objections had been withdrawn;

·         The hearing had been called because the Police had submitted an objection notice to each of the five Temporary Event Notices;

·         That additional information had been viewed or given to the Parties prior to the hearing.

The Licensing Officer advised that the Police had made a request for SC McCorry to be present at the hearing in support of his witness statement submitted prior to the hearing although it was noted that he had not been able to attend the hearing due to work commitments.

The Licensing Officer presented the report as detailed on page 5 of the agenda and drew members’ attention to the following points:-

·         5 standard temporary event notices had been received under the Licensing Act 2003 from Mr Kieron Robinson for Club Neo, Stars Lane, Yeovil and further that 5 objection notices had been duly served by Avon and Somerset Constabulary;

·         The proposed activities and hours applied for including Sale by Retail of Alcohol, Regulated Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment as outlined in the agenda;

·         The maximum number of persons at an event at any one time would be 499;

·         The Premises User had indicated that he would comply with the conditions on the existing premises licence, however, it was only the members of the Sub-Committee that could agree to attach conditions to a temporary event notice;

·         The conditions attached to the current premises licence as outlined in the agenda report;

·         The Premises were situated within an area that was subject to the Cumulative Impact Policy of the Council, however this did not apply to Temporary Event Notices;

·         Reference was made to the options available to the Sub-Committee and the Right of Appeal as outlined in the agenda.

The Chairman indicated that each Party would be given an equal amount of time to put forward their case.

The Chairman invited the representative from the Police to address the Sub-Committee.  The Liquor Licensing Enquiry Officer explained that the Police objected to the 5 Temporary Event Notices.  Although the Premises User had agreed to comply with the current conditions on the premises licence this would only control inside the premises.  There would be no control outside of the premises when people come out of the club onto the street.  The Police feared that by allowing the Temporary Event Notices there would be another hour of anti-social behaviour taking place on Stars Lane on a Friday and Saturday night.  She explained that CCTV footage had been taken which showed what the street outside the club looked like and how the street looked when the club cleared. 

The Liquor Licensing Enquiry Officer referred to the police witness statements that had previously been circulated to members and the Premises User.  The incidences outlined in the statements had been linked to the premises as the persons involved had been wearing Club Neo wrist bands.  The anti-social behaviour taking place outside of the premises was getting to be unacceptable.  In order to address the issue, the Police were working with South Somerset District Council on a zero tolerance initiative.  The problems being experienced were also having an effect on Police resources.  Allowing an additional hour would add to the continual problems faced by the Police.

Video footage taken by the Police on Saturday 7^th March was shown to the Premises User shortly before the commencement of the hearing and to members of the Sub-Committee at the hearing.  The Liquor Licensing Enquiry Officer explained that the footage showed people leaving the venue and people outside on the street.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.