Agenda and minutes

Councillor Simon Carswell was appointed as the Chair for this meeting of the Sub Committee.

To receive any apologies for absence.

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 )

None.

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

Noted.

The Licensing Officer was invited to introduce the report.

The report stated an application had been made by Innuendo (Bat and Ball) Limited, in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (LA2003), for the variation of a premises licence in respect of The Lime Kiln Inn, Langport Road, Long Sutton, TA10 9JH

The applicant was seeking authorisation to add an outside area to the current premises licence, and to enable it to be used for the sale of alcohol.  The application sought to supply alcohol Monday to Saturday 11:00 hours to midnight, and Sunday noon to 23:30 hours.  The application further sought the hours the premises were to be open Monday to Saturday 11:00 hours to 00:30 hours and Sunday noon to 00:30 hours. 

The application was subject to the usual consultation.  With regard Other Persons, the Council had received three representations from four members of the public who were opposed to the application.

With regard to Responsible Authorities, the Police had agreed conditions with the applicant during the consultation period.  These were appended to the report.

There were no other objections to the application.

The Other Persons had expressed concerns principally in relation to noise, particularly on bike nights, noise from outside areas, and the hours of operation. 

In response to questions the Officer confirmed the bike nights were not a licensable activity and the time of operation for these nights would be the same as any other day. 

Jason Schinkel was invited to speak as the Applicant.  He said motorbike groups and classic car groups had shown an interest in having meets at his pub.  He was interested in accommodating these events for them.  He described those people as generally middle-aged and non-drinkers or light-drinkers.  He said 90% of the business at the pub was in food, but he had applied to have a bar outside to avoid congestion at the bar inside.  He also intended to serve burgers outside.  He said most of the events were over by 9 pm.  Any live artists performing outside would generally play from 6 – 8 pm.

He hoped the speed limit on the road outside the pub could be reduced.  He said this would reduce the noise nuisance from bikes and vehicles and that it would be good for the pub and residents.

In response to questions, the applicant confirmed that at weekends everyone had generally left the pub by 11 pm.  Weekdays the bar was often closed by 10 pm.  In his experience the number of bikers fizzled out by 9 pm.  The bikers controlled their own events.  He said, whilst he had been at the pub, which had been 15 months, only a few artists had played live music outside including one band who had performed in the enclosed patio area, and there had been live music at a 60^th birthday party. 

He said the pub was considering the erection of a permanent marquee in order to host wedding receptions.  But this would need planning permission.

Members said  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.