Agenda item

The Licensing (Hearing) Sub-Committee (“the Sub-Committee”) is being asked to determine an application for a premises licence made under the Licensing Act 2003 sections 17 and 18.

The Sub-Committee was requested to determine an application for a Premises Licence for The Walled Garden, Royal Automobile Club, Woodcote Park, Wilmerhatch Lane, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7EW under the Licensing Act 2003.

Representations had been received from nine local residents with regard to the application, of which two had withdrawn. The remaining seven representations had been provided to the Sub-Committee within the agenda papers for the meeting. None of the residents who had submitted a written representation had wished to make a verbal submission to the meeting. No representations from any Responsible Authorities were received.

A familiarisation site visit to the premises took place on 14 June 2021. In attendance were the 3 Members of the Licensing Hearing Sub-Committee, the Council’s Head of Housing and Community, Licensing Officer and 2 representatives of the applicant.

A verbal representation was received by the Sub-Committee from the Applicant and their representative. The representation outlined the nature of the premises, that it was in the Green zone of the Council’s Licensing Policy and the actions taken by the applicant to address the concerns raised in the representations received.

The Applicant responded to the questions from the Sub-Committee and confirmed the following:

·                     Safeguarding. The applicant informed the Sub-Committee that they had a health and safety committee and competent person with responsibility for safeguarding issues, including child protection. The applicant’s HR department also required staff working in areas where there were likely to be children present to have relevant training/checks. The applicant also informed the Sub-Committee that as a family-orientated venue, there was a responsibility which lay with the parents of children attending.

·                     Designated Premises Licence holder (DPS) training and qualifications. The Licensing Officer informed the Sub-Committee that the qualification/licence of the DPS had been confirmed as a part of the routine checks undertaken by the Licensing Authority.

·                     Classification of films. The applicant informed the Sub-Committee that it was intended to show U and PG films only at the premises.

Following consideration of the material presented in the agenda, the written and verbal representations made, and having had regard to the Statutory Guidance and the Licensing Policy of the Council, the Sub-Committee resolved to:

Grant the Application (subject to relevant mandatory conditions and modified with the conditions set out below) for a Premises Licence for the above address for the following standard days and times:

7 days per week

The internal areas 09.00 hours until 21.00 hours

The external areas in winter (October to March) 09.00 hours until 17.00 hours

The external areas in summer (April to September) 09.00 hours until 20.00 hours.

Conditions:

(1)          Children’s sports camps may only take place on the Multi Use Games Area

Reason: To meet the requirements of the following Licensing Objective(s): The prevention of public nuisance; Statutory Guidance Section 2.15 – 2.21; E&E Licensing Policy 6.3; Licensing Act 2003; Volunteered by the Applicant.

(2)          Playing of films may only take place inside.

Reason: To meet the requirements of the following Licensing Objective(s): The prevention of public nuisance; Statutory Guidance Section 2.15 – 2.21; E&E Licensing Policy 6.3; Licensing Act 2003; Volunteered by the Applicant.

(3)          The premises licence holder may hold 4 events per calendar year on the Amenity Lawn limited to a maximum capacity of 100 persons (excluding staff); with background recorded or live music and may only take place between 10:00 hours and 16:00 hours.

Reason: To meet the requirements of the following Licensing Objective(s): The prevention of public nuisance; Statutory Guidance Section 2.15 – 2.21; E&E Licensing Policy 6.3; Licensing Act 2003; Volunteered by the Applicant

(4)          The premises licence holder may hold 10 events per calendar year on the Amenity Lawn limited to a maximum capacity of 30 persons (excluding staff); with background music only and may only take place between 10:00 hours and 15:00 hours.

Reason: To meet the requirements of the following Licensing Objective(s): The prevention of public nuisance; Statutory Guidance Section 2.15 – 2.21; E&E Licensing Policy 6.3; Licensing Act 2003; Volunteered by the Applicant.

(5)          The premises licence authorises the supply of alcohol excluding spirits with the sale of alcohol to stop 20.30 hours.

Reason: To meet the requirements of the following Licensing Objective(s): The prevention of public nuisance; Statutory Guidance Section 2.15 – 2.21; E&E Licensing Policy 6.3; Licensing Act 2003; To reflect what was said by the Applicant in respect of the licensing objectives.

(6)          The premises licence authorises the exhibition of films restricted in accordance with the British Board of Film Classification to “U” and “PG” rated films.

Reason: To meet the requirements of the following Licensing Objective(s): The protection of Children from harm; Statutory Guidance Section 2.22 – 2.31; E&E Licensing Policy 6.4; Licensing Act 2003; To reflect what said by the Applicant in respect of the licensing objectives.