Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee A held on 24 June 2024 as published.

It was noted that as the Chairman of the Sub-Committee, Councillor Martin, had submitted apologies of absence, the meeting would be chaired by the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Leach.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Sub-Committee held on 24 June 2024 be approved and signed as a true and correct record.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary and other interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

To consider any business that the Chairman rules may be dealt with under Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no items of Urgent Business.

Reporting Person – Laura McCulloch

The Sub-Committee had before it a report regarding an application for a new Premises Licence from Rochaconsultancy on behalf on ECP Belsize Ltd for a premises licence for Buteco Do Gordinho based at 31 Walton Road, Woking.  Objections had been received from Environmental Health and Surrey Police.  Lesley Sumner and Hannah Williams attended the meeting to represent Surrey Police and Liz Liesicke was representing Environmental Health.  There was no representative attending to represent the Applicant.  Amanda Francis, the Council’s Solicitor, advised the Sub-Committee that the Applicant’s agent had advised that the Applicant would attend though had not arrived at the start and so the Sub-Committee had to decide whether to proceed in his absence or adjourn.  The Chairman decided to proceed in his absence because there was an agreement in writing with the Applicant before the hearing on the conditions and the Sub-Committee able to make a decision on the papers before it.

All parties present had a copy of the Licensing Committee’s agreed procedure to be followed at Licensing Sub-Committee hearings.  The Chairman introduced Members of the Sub-Committee and outlined the order of speaking which would be followed at the hearing.

The Licensing Authority’s representative, Laura McCulloch, introduced the report that was before the Sub-Committee, stating that the Applicant had advised that the proposed conditions from Environmental Health had been accepted, which had resulted in the withdrawal of both objections.  The meeting could not have been cancelled due to the acceptance occurring less than 24 hours before the meeting of the Sub-Committee.  The Sub-Committee was advised that there was an inconsistency between the layout plan as submitted with that contained within the licence due to the removal of some seating, which would need to be corrected by the Applicant.

Following a question by the Sub-Committee, it was noted that the coffee bar included taps for beer and the premises would need to be well run going forward.

The Chairman gave Liz Liesicke the opportunity to address the Sub-Committee.  Liz Liesicke stated that the email acceptance from the Applicant had been received late, noting that the conditions would need to be complied with, and have satisfactory outcomes, otherwise a Review of the Licence could be considered.  For clarity, the Sub-Committee was advised that due to the premises closing at 20.00 hours the fifth item of the proposed conditions set out on page 117 of the report was no longer required.

The Chairman gave Lesley Sumner the opportunity to address the Sub-Committee.  Lesley Sumner advised that Surrey Police would monitor the situation and noted that as a new premises, concerns were held.  In addition, dates set for responses had not been met by the Applicant which seemed unprofessional and had resulted in the Sub-Committee being required to hold the hearing.  It was noted that the amendments requested by Surrey Police to the conditions on the existing Premises Licence were set out on pages 119 – 122 of the report and required finalisation between Surrey Police and the Licensing department.

The Sub-Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.