Agenda and minutes

Moved by Councillor Jeanne Raspin and seconded by Councillor David Bennett

RESOLVED that Councillor Duncan McGregor be elected as Chair for the meeting.

Councillor Duncan McGregor in the Chair

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor Mary Dooley.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a) any business on the agenda;

b) any matters arising out of those items;

and if appropriate, withdraw from the meeting at the relevant time.

There were no declarations of interest made.

The minutes of a meeting of the Licensing and Gambling Acts Sub Committee held on 18^th September 2025 had been approved as a true and correct record at the meeting held that morning.

The minutes of the meeting held that morning were provided to the Sub Committee.

Moved by Councillor David Bennett and seconded by Councillor Jeanne Raspin

RESOLVED that the minutes of a meeting of the Licensing & Gambling Acts Sub Committee held on 23^rd April 2026 be approved as a true and correct record.

In attendance for this item was the Premises Licence Applicant and Interested Party.

The Chair welcomed those present and introductions followed.

The Chair explained the procedure that would be followed and stated that the hearing was not a Court and as such strict Court rules would not apply.  Any evidence given would not be given under oath, but the Chair reminded parties that providing untrue statements was a criminal offence under the Licensing Act 2003.

With all those present confirming they had received the relevant documents, the Chair invited the Licensing and Enforcement Officer to present the report.

The Licensing and Enforcement Officer stated the Council was responsible for granting Premises Licences under the Licensing Act 2003 (the ‘Act’).  The Act set out 4 statutory objectives, each of equal importance, that had to be addressed by the Council when discharging its functions under the legislation.  Those licensing objectives were:

·       The prevention of crime and disorder;

·       Public safety;

·       The prevention of public nuisance; and

·       The protection of children from harm.

In addition to the legislation, the Council had to have regard to the Revised Guidance issued under section 182 of the Act and to the Council’s own Statement of Licensing Policy.

In May 2024, the Council had adopted a revised Licensing Act 2003 Policy (the ‘Policy’).  The report set out paragraphs 2.2 and 2.4, 2.5 and 4.2 of the Policy, which outlined the general principles of the Policy and the Act.  Further information could be found in the Policy.

The Sub Committee procedure was followed.

The hearing was adjourned at 14:20 hours and the Premises Licence Applicant, Interested Party and the Licensing and Enforcement Officer left the meeting for the Sub Committee to deliberate.

The hearing reconvened at 14:28 hours and the Premises Licence Applicant, Interested Party and the Licensing and Enforcement Officer returned to the meeting.

The Chair invited the Legal Officer to set out in summary the Sub Committee’s decision.

The Legal Officer summarised the decision of the Licensing and Gambling Acts Sub Committee: to APPROVE the Premises Licence.

The decision letter would be posted to the Licence Holder within 5 days.  There was a right of appeal against the Sub Committee’s decision to the Magistrates Court, exercisable within 21 days of receipt of the notification.

The Chair thanked all those in attendance.