Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Lillywhite.

With reference to agenda item 5, Councillor Willingham declared he had paid an informal site visit to the premises on his way to the Suffolks Market and Councillor Harman declared that he frequented the pub.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 10 July 2017.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 10 July 2017 were approved and signed as a true record.

Suffolk Arms, Suffolk Road

The Licensing Officer, Phil Cooper, introduced the report regarding an application from EI Group plc for permission to place objects on the highway at the premises known as Suffolk Arms, 40 Suffolk Road, Cheltenham.  The application was for four tables, eight chairs and two olive trees in planters.  The applicants intended to place the objects on the highway during the opening times of the premises, which were 9.30am – 1.30am Monday to Thursday; 9.00am – 2.30am Friday to Saturday and 9.00am to 12.30am on Sundays.

The Officer advised members that the matter had been brought before the licensing committee because the application did not comply with the council’s policy, which stated that consent to place tables and chairs on the highway was subject to canvas barriers being put in place to cordon off the tables and chairs from the highway. He advised that the applicants had applied to have tables and chairs but not barriers.  The proposal to omit barriers was however supported by the council’s planning enforcement officer who felt there was insufficient space for barriers, but this was not compliant with policy.  No other objections had been received.

A location plan was attached at Appendix A and Appendix B showed how the objects would be placed on the highway along with the measurements.  Members’ attention was drawn to the fact that once the objects were in place on the highway, the clearance left for passers-by was:

•           1.55 metres between the tables and the kerb, and

•           80 centimetres between the planters and the kerb

The Officer pointed out that the council’s standard recommendation was that at least 1.8 metres should be allowed for passers-by whenever objects were placed on the highway.

The committee were advised to consider whether to grant permission for tables and chairs if they were satisfied that there were sufficient grounds to depart from the policy requirement relating to barriers and that the location was suitable, or to refuse the permission.

In response to questions from members, the Officer replied that he was not aware that the premises had had picnic type benches there and that if they had, the premises did not have permission for them. He stated that the rationale for the recommendation of 1.8metres clearance was based on the width of a double buggy.  He reiterated that the applicants had chosen not to have barriers and that the committee could limit the times that the tables and chairs were out.   He advised that the nearby Bar 50 had tables and chairs permitted outside until 11pm and the Beehive, although having tables and chairs within their private area, a condition on their premises licence stated that the outside area at the front of the premises could not be used after 11pm.

Several members expressed their concern about the lack of space left on the pavement with the presence of the tables and chairs and in particular the planters.  Although the tables and chairs sat neatly on the plan in line with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Licensing Policy, Guidance and Conditions for Private Hire and Taxis

Policy Review Working Group 2017

The Licensing Officer referred members to the Briefing Note on the Private Hire and Taxis Policy and the work of the working group outlining certain proposed changes.  He suggested that if members had any questions that they contact him and that in due course Cabinet would be asked to approve the revised policy.

The Chair asked members to remain behind at the end of the meeting for a short up-date from the Licensing Officer on the new committee structure that would shortly be implemented.

The Chair also wished to place on record the thanks of the committee to Annette Wight who had serviced the Licensing meeting for the last 3 years and who was transferring to another division within the council.

Wednesday 6 September 2017 at 6pm

Wednesday 6 September 2017 at 6pm.