Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory.

The report of the Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory presented an application for the grant of a Premises Licence for Drighlington Meeting Hall, Moorland Road, Drighlington, BD11 1JZ.

The Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee explained the procedures to be followed and the Senior Licensing Officer outlined the application.

The application was for the following:

Performance of recorded music, Performance of live music:

Sunday – Thursday:   10:00 to 23:00

Friday & Saturday:  10:00 to 01:30

Sale by retail of alcohol (for consumption both on and off the premises)

Sunday – Thursday:   10:00 to 23:30

Friday & Saturday:  10:00 to 01:30

Representations to the application had been made by West Yorkshire Police and local residents.  A revised plan to the original application had resulted in West Yorkshire Police withdrawing their representation.

There had been 15 representations from local residents mainly on the grounds of public nuisance.

Mr Carl Richards, Vice Chair of Drighlington Rugby League Club was in attendance as the applicant.  He addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the application.  The following was highlighted:

·  The applicant was a personal licence holder.

·  The club was established in 1973 as a community amateur sports club.

·  All profits made went back into the running of club.

·  The club had 50 adult playing members, 150 junior playing members and 350 social members.

·  The only paid member of staff was the bar manager.

·  The club previously ran from an old working men’s club building.  This had been refurbished mainly by members of the club but these premises did not remain effective.

·  LCC announced the meeting hall was to be closed in 2011 and the club entered negotiations to take over the premises.  The club sold their previous premises and had invested the proceeds into the meeting hall.

·  The hall had already opened for community use.

·  There was a business plan in place for the running of the meeting hall and there would be a variety of community uses.

·  With regard to the objections, the applicant understood residents’ concerns.  The hall had to be managed as a pub to be able to support the community centre aspect of the building.  There had been objections to the previous premises having a licence and there had never been any complaints regarding the operation of the premises or police visits.

·  The reason for a 10.00 a.m. license was due to the request of funeral directors for the premises to be open.  There was no intention to open at that time every day.  The applicant would be happy for a condition to state that the premises could only open at 10.00 am on weekdays for funerals.

·  The times applied for were in line with other licensed premises within the village, all of which were also in residential areas.  It was not expected to be open later than 11.00 p.m. on most evenings.

·  The function room was needed for the village as there was no other similar facility in the village and this would be an asset to Drighlington.

In response to questions from the Sub-Committee, the following was discussed:

·  Should the application be refused, it would have a massive impact on income and community facilities wold not be able to be offered at a discount price which would be unaffordable for many community groups.  It was also likely that the Rugby Club would go out of business

·  There had never been problems with neighbours at the previous premises.

·  On a normal evening it was anticipated that there would be approximately twenty customers.  There could be up to one hundred in a presentation night.  The bar area capacity was for forty with one hundred in the function room.

·  The premises would not be opened at 10.00 a.m. when the school was open unless it was for a funeral.

·  Customers would be asked to wait inside for taxis and the club would only use one recognised company who would be aware not to use their horns.  There had never been any complaints about noise disturbance from taxis at the previous premises.

·  The outdoor area and bar was to the rear of the premises overlooking the moor so would not lead to noise disturbance to residents.  The outdoor area would be closed at 10.00 p.m.

·  There had only been five live music performances over the previous twelve months.  It was proposed that music would finish at 00:30 with the bar closing at 01:00.  It was not planned to hold regular music events but there would be an opportunity for local bands to play.

·  The Challenge 25 scheme would be operated at the premises and the club also had two designated child protection officers.  The club was family friendly and hosted children’s parties.

In summary to the application, it was reported that the concerns and objections that had been made were fully understood.  The premises would be operated as a community asset and there was wide support from the community and Parish Council.

The Sub-committee went into private session to make deliberations.  Following an adjournment the applicant was asked to clarify the proposed hours of operation. 

The Chair concluded the open session of the meeting before the Sub-Committee went into private session.  The applicant was informed that the decision would be sent within 5 working days.

The Licensing Sub-Committee carefully considered the report of the Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory, the Statement of Licensing Policy and the representations submitted and made at the hearing.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted as follows:

Performance of recorded music, Performance of live music:

Sunday - Thursday 10:00 - 23:00

Friday & Saturday 10:00 - 00:30 

Sale by retail of alcohol (for consumption both on and off the premises):

Sunday -Thursday 10:00 - 23:00

Friday & Saturday 10:00 - 01:00