The Sub-Committee gave regard to the report of the Senior Licensing Officer, which detailed an application for a new Club Premises Certificate at Leigh Layabouts Rugby Football Club, The Field of Dreams, Chiddingstone Causeway, Tonbridge  TN11 8JH. She provided an overview of the application, and explained that three representations against the application had been received from local residents.

The Applicant addressed the hearing. He outlined the history of the club and the premises. He informed the committee that alcohol had been sold at the site 10 years, through the use of Temporary Event Notices (TENs), and that no complaints had been received, nor had any accidents occurred. The club’s immediate neighbours had not objected to the application. The premises would primarily be for small gatherings of supporters or players to have alcohol in a flexible fashion. The dates and timings for training and home matches were variable, and TENs were required to be completed far in advance. It was further hoped that being able to offer the sale of alcohol would help bring supporters to matches and sport-viewing events. He advised the panel that the objective of the certificate would primarily be to provide a social space for the club following other events, such as matches, training, or international sporting events.

Members raised the possibility of providing neighbouring properties with contact information should they wish to report any incidents or concerns with the site. The Applicant advised that both his and the Club Secretary’s contact information were available on the website for the club.

At 10:45, 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 11:08, 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 content of the agenda papers, the representations made by the applicant, the written representations, the Licensing Act 2003 and the Licensing Objectives, the Secretary of State’s Amended Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Act, The Licensing Act 2003 (Premises licenses and club premises certificates) Regulations 2005 and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.

They appreciated the Applicant’s candid representation. They noted the various concerns raised within the representations against the application. However, they were reassured by the long history of managing temporary event notices at the premises without complaint that the Licensing Objectives would be met. They were further reassured by the applicant’s willingness to provide direct contact information to neighbouring residents.

They further noted that the club would add conditions to its constitution at its next AGM to fulfil the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

This Sub-Committee approved the application for a club premises certificate in the same terms as applied for by Leigh Layabouts Rugby Football Club, subject to the mandatory conditions, and with an additional condition requiring that the Club President provide a telephone number to local residents, to allow them to contact the club concerning any disturbance, and the reasons for decision contained in the notice of determination to follow within 5 working days, be granted.

Resolved: That the club premises certificate Leigh Layabouts Rugby Football Club, The Field of Dreams, Chiddingstone Causeway, Tonbridge  TN11 8JH, subject to the mandatory conditions, and with an additional condition requiring that the Club President provide a telephone number to local residents, to allow them to contact the club concerning any disturbance, and the reasons for decision contained in the notice of determination to follow within 5 working days, be granted.