Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor M Saunders proposed, Councillor K Coleman-Cooke seconded and it was agreed that Councillor Matterface be the Chairman.

There were no apologies for absence.

Also present:

Officers:  Mr Bensted -  Regulatory Services Manager

  Ms Nartey – Interim Head of Legal Services

  Sgt Brimson – Kent Police

  Insp Ross – Kent Police

Licence holder:  Mr Bayles

Premises manager: Mr Braithwaite

Licence holder’s representative:  Mr Ponds

The Regulatory Services Manager outlined the report to the Licensing Sub-Committee in respect of the application for review of Premises Licence – Sundowners, 1 Albert Terrace, Margate.

Kent Police addressed the Sub-Committee.

The press and public were excluded from meeting. Kent Police played CCTV footage of events on 6 August 2017.

The Licence Holder’s representative asked questions of Kent Police regarding the CCTV footage and whether Kent Police had returned to the premises to review the changes made since 6 August 2017.

The Police referred to a document which was a schedule of incidents that had taken place at Sundowners. The Head of Legal Services gave legal advice regarding the weight that should be attached to the document. The advice suggested that limited weight should be given to the document due to certain typographical errors and the lack of additional detail of each incident set out in the document.

Members asked questions of Kent Police regarding the CCTV footage.

The Licence holder’s representative addressed the Sub-Committee. The Licence holder’s representative asserted that an incident of this kind would be unlikely to happen in future due to the cover charges for Friday and Saturday night, a change of security staff and a table placed in the alcove. 

Kent Police asked questions of the Licence Holder regarding identifying problematic clientele and regarding the CCTV footage.

Members asked questions of the Licence Holder regarding changes made to the premises since 6 August 2017 relating to staffing, security staff, charging for special events, the smoking area and also relating to drinks containers.

The Sub-Committee agreed:

“Option 3.1 – to modify the conditions of the licence.  The Sub-Committee were concerned about how the DPS responded to unexpected violent events and the DPS was given a formal warning.  The Sub-Committee were also concerned about the calibre of SIA security staff. 

Hours for licensable activity will be restricted Thursday to Sunday as follows:

-Sale of alcohol to end at 00:30;

-The premises must close at 1:00, with no admission (or re-admission unless from the smoking area) after 00:00.

Additional conditions:

-Pool cues and balls removed by 21:00;

-Drinks must be served in plastic after 21:00;

-All SIA security staff to be equipped with body worn cameras;

-At least 3 SIA security staff Thursday to Saturday, 1 security staff Sunday to Wednesday and 4 SIA security staff must be employed for special/planned events;

The reason for the modified conditions and new conditions is to promote the Licensing Objectives of;

1. the prevention of crime and disorder,

2. public safety

3. the prevention of public nuisance.”

The item was withdrawn.