Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Claire Morris, Democratic Services  01242 264130

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

There were none.

2.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were none.  However, there was a site visit by all Members of the committee to the proposed SEV premises.

3.

Application for a Sexual Entertainment Venue Licence pdf icon PDF 270 KB

Jessop House, 30 Cambray Place.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Licensing Team Leader introduced the report.

 

It was made clear to the Members of the Committee that none of the mandatory grounds for refusal apply.  Section 4.5 of the report deals with the relevant grounds for refusal.  It would be deemed to be acting illegally to take a moral stand.

 

The Chair then asked the objectors to speak, there were two objectors, one a business owner in the area and the other a pastor from a nearby Church who made the following points:

·         As a business that opens some evenings for the convenience of their clients having an establishment such as this next door could possible damage their reputation and lose them business as well as possibly losing designers who they collaborate with.

·         The business already has to deal with rubbish and sometimes vomit and this is always increased at race week.

·         The business already loses business during race week as people do not like to visit the town due to the behaviour of some of the race goers.

·         The business owner acknowledged that there was a pub next door previously who they enjoyed a good relationship with and who were constantly clearing up any outside mess during race week.  It was accepted that they could have the same relationship with the applicant.

·         The Baptist Church has a congregation of approx. 400 including 100 children.  It is a church that is very active within the community. 

·         The 2020 policy indicates a specific area where there should be no SEV’s. The proposed site is centimetres outside that boundary, therefore it is an inappropriate location.

·         There are numerous flats in Cambray Court and a childrens nursery is only 5 doors away.  There is also a dance school around the corner, all this makes it clear that this is not the appropriate area for an SEV.

·         The Church is thriving and provides youth clubs in the evenings, runs a Christmas market, provides a provision for working mums, adults with learning difficulties and hosts a thriving Chinese Church.

 

The objectors responses to Member questions were as follows:

·         That the most used entrance and exit during the evenings is the rear entrance in Rodney Road.  The emphasis was made that both entrances are used in the evenings as the parking on Rodney Road can be difficult.

 

 

The two supporters, one an employee of Red Apple and a representative from the BID then made the following points:

 

·         That having worked for the applicant both as a performer and now as a house mother, the company have a great reputation and they look after the performers really well.

·         One venue in the town is better than multiple venues where the performers might not be as well looked after.

·          Red Apple operate an excellent establishment with very high standards.

·         Has sympathy with both the church and the business but feels that there is a need during race week for this kind of entertainment.

 

There were no Member questions.  The applicants solicitor then had the opportunity to address  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Local Government Act 1972 Exempt Information

The committee is recommended to approve the following resolution:-

 

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining agenda items as it is likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, if members of the public are present there will be disclosed to them exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 and 2, Part (1) Schedule (12A) Local Government Act 1972, namely:

 

Paragraph 1: Information relating to any individual

 

Paragraph 2: Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual

Minutes:

The vote to enter exempt session was unanimous.

5.

Taxi Application pdf icon PDF 309 KB

Application for a taxi licence.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The matter was heard in exemption session and the vote was taken to delegate the decision to Officers.

 

For: 5

 

Unanimously agreed.

 

6.

Any Other Items the Chairman Determines Urgent and Which Requires a Decision

Minutes:

There were none.