Resolved: That Cllr. Lindop be appointed as Chairman of the Licensing Hearing.

(Cllr. Lindop in the Chair)

There were none.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the hearing.

The Sub-Committee gave consideration to the report of the Senior Licensing Officer, which gave details of an application to vary the premises licence for Ephesus, 57-59 High Street, Sevenoaks. TN13 1JF. The nature of the proposed variation was to add Late Night Refreshment on Friday and Saturday from 23:00 to 00:00 hours, and to include the garden space to the licensable area.

The Applicant’s representative addressed the hearing. They stated that the addition of Late Night Refreshment on Fridays and Saturdays would not impact public safety, as there would be little impact on collective security. They noted that there was no objection from the Environmental Health Team.

At 10:39am the Hearing Members withdrew to consider the issues raised, accompanied by the Council’s Legal Advisor and Clerk to the Hearing for the purpose of providing advice only.

At 11:07am the Hearing Members, Council’s Legal Advisor and Clerk to Hearing returned to the Conference Room.

The Chairman informed the Hearing that the Sub-Committee had had regard to the representations made by the Applicant and interested parties, the Licensing objectives, the Statutory Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Act and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, and had decided to grant the application to vary the licence as applied for, with some consequential amendments to conditions to address issues including the locking of doors into the garden room. The panel noted the concerns raised by the objector, but having regard to the representation by the Environmental Health Officer, and taking account of the limited activities permitted on site, were content that the changes proposed would not cause undue additional impact upon neighbours. There had not been new specific complaints relating to the premises, and the issues raised may be historic in nature. It was hoped that extending the premises’ boundary would assist in providing additional regulation to the premises.

A full decision notice would be made available to parties within 5 working days of this Hearing.</AI3><TRAILER_SECTION>

Resolved: that the variation application for the Premises Licence in respect of Ephesus, 57-59 High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1JF, subject to the consequential removal of a condition for the purpose of access to the exterior, as contained in the Notice of Determination attached as an appendix to these Minutes, be granted.