Agenda and minutes

Members and Officers must declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to any business on the agenda. Declarations should also be made at any stage an interest becomes apparent during the meeting.

If in doubt, contact the Legal or Democratic Services representative for this meeting. Members and Officers may seek advice upon any relevant interest from the Monitoring Officer prior to the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

Cllr Mike Barrett substituted for Cllr Rosey Whorlow.

To receive any questions from Members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 11.2

(Note: Public Question Time will operate for a maximum of 30 minutes.)

There were no questions from members of the public.

To consider a report by the Director for Communities, copy attached as item 3.

Signal Post, 79 Rowlands Road, Worthing, BN11 3JN

Before the Sub-Committee was a report by the Director for Communities, which had been circulated to all Members. A copy is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as item 3.

Presenting Officer outlined the application

The Licensing Officer outlined the application before members. Members were advised that the application had been the subject of formal representation by one responsible authority, Sussex Police and 4 members of the public. The Officer clarified that the Police had withdrawn their representation given that the applicant had agreed to additional conditions suggested by the Police. He also advised that after successful mediation with the applicant one of the public representors had also withdrawn their objection.

The applicant confirmed that the Licensing Officer had provided an accurate outline of the application.

Questions from Members for the presenting Officer

There were none.

Representation from the applicant.

The applicant made a representation which is summarised as follows:

·         They planned to open a food focused, high end deli / wine bar / tap house that served good quality food, fine wines, beers and ciders. They did not intend the venue to be a loud music and party type of establishment.

·         They were keen to be involved in the reinvigoration of Worthing’s west end and felt that the area currently lacked this type of connoisseur's venue.

·         They were of the opinion that the presence of their venue in this area would discourage crime helped by their additions of alarms, CCTV and trained and responsible staff, all of whom were personal licence holders.

Questions from Members to the applicant.

A member asked if they planned to utilise the opening hours that they had applied for, 12:00hrs - 23:00hrs daily. The applicants confirmed that their intended hours were Tues - Thurs 12:00hrs - 21:00hrs and Fri and Sat 12:00hrs - 22:00hrs. They clarified that they had applied for the later closing time so they could occasionally hold events such as taster evenings.

A member asked the applicant to expand on the soundproofing plans they had to avoid disturbing neighbours. The applicant explained that a qualified acoustician was due this week to survey their venue to advise them of what soundproofing they would need on both the ceiling and windows.

Summing up by the applicant

The applicant gave a summary reiterating their plans for this new venture and explained that they had consulted with all four residents who had made representations in opposition to their plans. They had listened and taken on board all the neighbours' concerns which had resulted in their soundproofing plans and discussions over a designated smoking area which would be least disruptive to residents.

The meeting adjourned to go into closed session at 6.55 pm

In reaching its decision the Licensing Sub-Committee has given due regard to the following:

The statutory licensing objectives

·         Worthing Borough Councils Statement of Licensing Policy

·         Guidance under section 182 by the Home Secretary and Licensing Act 2003.

·         The application, written/oral representations made at  ...  view the full minutes text for item LCSC/14/22-23