Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, Members are invited to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registerable Interests and Non-Registerable Interests including the nature and extent of such interests they may have in any items to be considered at this meeting;

LSC.01/22                             

Members and officers were invited to declare any interests in the items of business to be considered during the course of the meeting.  There were none.

LSC.02/22             

The Sub-Committee considered a report that sought to determine an application for a new premises licence at The Angel, South Street, Totnes in accordance with Section 18 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The Licensing Specialist introduced the report and outlined the details of the application (as stated in the application form at Appendices A(i), A(ii), A(iii), B, C, D, E, F, G, and H of the presented agenda report).  The Licensing Specialist reminded the Sub-Committee that its decision had to be based upon the four licensing objectives.

Live and recorded music has been subsequently withdrawn from the application following the publishing of the report.

Forty-three letters of representation had been received in support including one from the local District Councillor. 

Twenty-eight letters in objection had been received, however two objectors had since withdrawn their objections.

The main representation was from Environmental Heath’s (EH).  Their primary concern was the provision of live and recorded music, and the lack of information demonstrating how the applicant would be promoting the objective of prevention of public nuisance. Since making the representation the applicant had been very co-operative and responsive to their concerns.  The applicants have removed live and recorded music from the application and were planning to continue engaging the services of an acoustic consultant with a view to implementing measures to reduce the amount of noise coming from the venue. EH were aware of the residents concern on noise and EH have the powers to investigate noise from premises under other legislation such as the Environmental Protect Act 1990 and would continue to work with the venue in their efforts to prevent noise becoming a nuisance in the first place.  With regard to people noise outside the venue, the applicant had submitted information on additional controls in relation to having a door supervisor, signage and rules around taking drinks in and out of the venue and understood that these controls had been in place for events held recently.

1.         Address by the Applicant

         The Applicant reported that The Angel was a community venue with a capacity for 60 people including staff.  The venue showcases the work of local artists, caterers, and also used as a yoga studio and the supper nights would supplement their business.   They had found the licensing process daunting and were aware that the licensing notice had upset neighbours and have been reassuring neighbours.  Following the notice, a complaint was made to their landlord who then put up their rent by 25%.  They have found this to be a big learning curve and have worked with statutory partners, produced polices and welcomed open communications with their neighbours and worked closely with Environmental Health.  They have removed live and recorded music from the application and would not hire out the venue for private parties and drumming sessions have ceased.  They have a noise management plan in place and if they do not get the license they would cease and the venue would become luxury flats.  The applicants felt  ...  view the full minutes text for item LSC4/22