Agenda and draft minutes

It was proposed by Councillor Marcus Kravis and seconded by Councillor Tom Power, that Councillor Simon Carswell be appointed as Chair for this meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

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 Marcus Kravis declared multiple businesses owed in Minehead and clarified that they are not of relevant to the application. Councillor Marcus Kravis also declared that he sat on Minehead Town Council.

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

The Chair of the meeting was authorised to agree the accuracy and sign the minutes as a correct record following circulation to the members of the Sub-Committee.

The Licensing Sub-Committee noted the procedure to be followed when considering Licensing Applications under the Licensing Act 2003. The Chair introduced the members of the Sub-Committee and the Officers present at the hearing.

The Licensing Officer advised that the purpose of the hearing was to consider an application to vary the existing premises licence for Bar 21 at Minehead as representations had been received in relation to the application.

The application was for the variation of an existing premises licence held by Cafe Bar 21 in Minehead. The existing licence allowed the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm every day. The variation application included the addition of a function room adjacent to the main bar area, which had been used for functions under temporary event notices. The applicant also requested the addition of other activities requiring a licence, such as plays, indoor sporting events, wrestling and boxing entertainments, live and recorded music, performances of dance, and late-night refreshment. The applicant sought to extend the licensable hours for all activities until 3:00 am every day. However, following an agreed position with the police, the terminal hours were amended to 1:00 am from Sunday to Thursday and 3:00 am on Friday and Saturday.

The application had been out for consultation with responsible authorities and members of the public. Objections and representations were received during the consultation period.

The sub committee had three potential outcomes to consider:

• Accept the application with the amendments and conditions agreed upon by the police.
• Reject the application.
• Grant the application with the amendments and conditions agreed upon by the police, along with any additional changes deemed relevant and proportionate by the subcommittee.

The Licensing Officer clarified the activities requested in the application were intended to take place indoors. The police requested the terminal hour be amended to 1:00 am from Sunday to Thursday and 3:00 am on Friday and Saturday, with allowances for non-standard timings such as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and any Sunday preceding a bank holiday. The police also agreed to allow the applicant 12 occasions per year to extend their opening hours until 3:00 am, with 14 days' notice submitted to the licensing authority and police. 

The applicant, William Wynn, and his partner Lorraine Pegler, presented their case for the variation of the existing premises licence for Cafe Bar 21. They emphasised that the primary purpose of the variation was to accommodate events such as weddings, funerals, and parties, which required extended hours. They clarified that the initial request for a 3:00 am licence seven days a week had been adjusted to 1:00 am on weekdays and 3:00 am on weekends after consultation with the police.

The applicant highlighted their efforts to address noise concerns, including employing an acoustic expert from Blue Acoustics, to assess and recommend soundproofing measures. They mentioned specific measures such as installing double glazing, extra panelling, double swinging doors, and ensuring fire doors were not propped open to prevent sound leakage. The applicant also discussed the implementation of a noise management plan, which included managing customer noise outside the premises and using CCTV to monitor the area.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.