Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Tom Clark, Solicitor to the Council explained the virtual meeting procedure noting that Councillor Laband is present in place of Councillor Cromie who was listed on the papers. He noted that as the meeting is held in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 there is no requirement to meet in person and given the current levels of Covid the decision has been made to meet virtually. 

None.

The procedure the Licensing Panelwillfollowin considering the application is set outin the Licensing Act2003,its attendantRegulations and was agreed by the Licensing Committee on 2nd February2005.  The Licensing Panel,in accordance with rule 14 of the Licensing Act2003 (Hearings)Regulations 2005 decide to exclude the public fromallorpartof the hearing where the Licensing Panelconsiders thatitis in the public interestto do so.

None.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2021 were agreed as a correct record and were electronically signed by the Chairman.

Introduction and outline of the report

Jon Bryant, Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report noting that it’s purpose is to provide information for the Committee to determine whether to agree an application to vary a premises licence.

He confirmed that an application, pursuant to Section 34 Licensing Act 2003, has been made by Cuckfield Parish Council to vary a Premises Licence at The Queens Hall, High Street, Cuckfield, RH17 5EL. He noted that representations against the application have been made by an Interested Party.

Therefore the Committee is asked to determine the application in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003, MSDC Licensing Policy and the Home Office Guidance issued under Section 182 Licensing Act 2003, whilst having due regard to the applicant’s submissions and relevant representations.

He confirmed that the background to this matter is as follows. The Queens Hall is situated on the High Street, Cuckfield. It is a listed, Victorian Village Hall in the centre of Cuckfield. There is a large hall to the rear of the building and beyond that is a garden which extends to the Cuckfield Recreation Ground.

The Hall has residential properties to both sides and land adjacent to the garden was obtained by the Parish Council on a 25 year lease in 2020 and is being converted into a nature garden for the public and hirers of the hall. The garden area contains a gazebo which is licensed for wedding ceremonies. The Premises was issued with a Premises licence by this Council in 2005 when the previous Justice’s ‘On’ Licence was converted under the Licensing Act 2003.

He confirmed that item 6 of the report sets out the current licensable activities and times and noted that this application for a variation does not affect the timings for indoor activities. He noted that alcohol is licensed for consumption on the Premises and currently the Licensed premises consists of the building only. He also noted that there are two additional conditions currently attached to this licence which are detailed at section 8 of the report.

On the 2nd November 2021, Cuckfield Parish Council submitted an application to vary the current premises licence. Their intention is to extend the licensed premises area to include the garden to allow the consumption of alcohol in this area. There is a Gazebo in the garden that is licensed for wedding ceremonies. The application additionally requests music to be played outside only during a wedding ceremony. The variation application includes a request for an outdoor play to be held in the garden area on one occasion a year. Currently this performance is held on the Cuckfield Recreation Field and it is planned to move this performance to the garden area where there may be amplified music during the performance, but just one performance a year.

A resident of the High Street, Cuckfield, Olivia Barnard, who lives near to The Queens Hall has submitted a representation on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and  ...  view the full minutes text for item LS.5