Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Chairman of the Sub-Committee, the Democratic Services Officer called for nominations for the Chairman. It was proposed by Councillor O C de R Richardson and duly seconded, and

RESOLVED:     That Councillor D G Beaney be elected as Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

There were apologies for absence received from Councillors M Bates and D P Murphy.

It was noted that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4, that Councillors D G Cronk and D G Beaney be appointed as substitute members for Councillors M Bates and D P Murphy respectively.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

The Sub-Committee is requested to determine the application.

The following papers are attached:

(i)         Licensing Manager's report

(ii)        Appendix A – Application to vary the Premises Licence

(iii)       Appendix B – Existing licence

(iv)       Appendix C – Map of the area

(v)        Appendix D – Representations from Other Parties

The procedure to be followed by the Sub-Committee is attached to this agenda.

The Sub-Committee considered an application for the variation of a Premises Licence for Best Western Plus Dover Marina Hotel and Spa, Waterloo Crescent, Dover to include two newly added bars and amend the following licensing provisions:

Films (Indoors and Outdoors)

Indoor Sporting Events

Recorded Music, Facilities for making music, Facilities for dancing (Indoors and Outdoors)

Performance of Dance

Provisions of facilities for making music (Indoors and Outdoors)

Provision of facilities for dancing (Indoors and Outdoors)

Late Night Refreshment (Indoors and Outdoors)

On the basis of the representations of the applicants, their representatives and Other Persons, the Sub-Committee found the following facts to be established:

(i)              The application made by Dover Marina Hotel Ltd and represented at the Hearing by Thusitha Sumanasekera and Trevor Bond sought to vary the Premises Licence to include two newly added bars on the terrace at the front of the hotel, increase the hours of some of the licensable activities and add some additional activities.

(ii)             The Licensing Manager provided further information to the report advising that as a result of deregulatory changes to the Licensing Act 2003 and the Live Music Act 2012, a licence was not required for some of the activities in the application. Therefore, the only matters for consideration were the two bars and the following:

Films (Indoors and Outdoors)

Recorded Music (Indoors and Outdoors)

Performance of Dance (Indoors and Outdoors)

Late Night Refreshment (indoors and outdoors)

(iii)            Three representations were received objecting to the application and were made under the Licensing Objective, Prevention of Public Nuisance. The representation submitted by Mr and Mrs Stockbridge also included a petition supporting their representation although those named in the petition were not party to the Hearing in their own right. Following discussions with the General Manager of Dover Marina Hotel, Lady Kendal Jaggar withdrew her representation.

(iv)           They were concerned the addition of the late-night refreshment provision (indoors and outdoors) for nearly 20 hours a day, seven days a week, and the showing of films and dancing (for what could be for up to 500 people) in the outdoor space which would disrupt the lives of residents in Waterloo Mansions (that was attached to the hotel). The residents consisted of elderly, sick, and shift workers and wanted reassurance those activities would not impact on their lives.

(v)             The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.