Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Councillor Marcus Kravis proposed and Councillor Tony Robbins seconded that Simon Coles be appointed as Chair of the Sub-Committee.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were none.

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

Councillor Tony Robbins declared that he knew the applicant in his personal capacity.

The licensing Sub-Committee noted the procedure to be followed when considering Licensing Applications under the Licensing Act 2023.

The Chair introduced the members of the Sub-Committee and the Officers present at the hearing.

The Chair announced that he would be changing the order of speaking so that the Applicant, would follow the Licensing Officer. The Responsible Authorities and Other Persons would follow in that order.

The Chair confirmed that the Officer’s report which related to the case, the procedure to be adopted during the hearing and the documents which the authority was required to provide under the Regulations had been received by all Parties in advance of the meeting.

To authorise the Chair of the meeting to agree the accuracy and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2024 as a correct record following circulation to the members of the Sub-Committee.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2024 were proposed by Councillor Tony Robbins and Seconded by Councillor Marcus Kravis and confirmed to be a true record of the meeting.

On the evidence before it, having considered all the circumstances, the Sub- Committeegrants theapplication for aPremises Licenceas appliedfor together with the Conditions that the Applicant has offered up through the Operating Schedule in Section M of the application and more specifically set out in Appendix 3 of the agenda papers, with the exception that Condition 5 set out in that document will be amended so that it now reads as follows –

A noise managementplan willbe createdand approved bythe Council and must be available for inspection at the premises, upon any reasonable request by any third party.

The Senior Licensing and Business Support Officer introduced his report in respect of Wookey Hole Limited, Wookey Hole, Wells, BA5 1BA highlighting that the reason for the application for a new license was that the applicant wished to amend the hours for licensable activities on his current premises licence and include the provision for off sales. Rather than seek a variation to the existing license the applicant decided to apply for a new license. Comparison between the current licence and the new application could be seen in the table below.

CurrentLicensable Activities

The Wookey Hole Hotel opened in 2010, operated all year-round and provided 58 ensuite standard double and luxury family rooms. The hotel was situated within the village of Wookey Hole and was part of the renowned tourist attraction, Wookey Hole Caves. The hotel had a restaurant and bar which opened daily for non- residents as well as guests visiting the tourist attraction and catered for other events such as weddings, theatre shows and corporate engagements.

Atotal of8 representations werereceived from“Other Persons” againstthis application.

An overviewof representationswere in Appendix 5 of the agenda papers.

Therepresentations raised werein relationto all4 ofthe LicensingObjectives.

The Sub-Committee noted that there had been no representations made by any  Responsible Authorities.

The applicant was then invited to speak and he provided an overview of the clientele of the hotel which consisted of tourists, contractors working in the area and holiday makers.

He stated that the business needed to be competitive and as a result applied for a new Premises License.

In summary, some of the hours were extended, outdoor elements had been removed and off sales were requested in regard to the supply of alcohol.

Although longer hours were applied for in relation to the supply of alcohol, the hours would perhaps not be used. They were requested in order to give flexibility to the business.

They are also applying for a small area outside for the consumption of alcohol. It was pointed out that the Wookey Hole Inn and Club also had outdoor facilities.

In terms of safeguarding, they are aware of the needs of the family market.

When questioned by the Sub-Committee about doors and windows being opened or closed during the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.