Agenda item

An application has been received for a new Club Premises Certificate for the premises known as ‘Mudeford Cricket Club’, Ledbury Road, Christchurch BH23 3LB, to permit the on sale of alcohol from 18:00 to 21:30on Monday to Friday, from 14:00 to 22:00 on Saturday and 14:00 to 21:00 on Sunday between 01 April and 30 September each year.

This matter is brought before the Sub-Committee for determination.

Present:

From BCP Council:

Ellie King – Licensing Officer

Johanne McNamara – Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee

Michelle Cutler – Clerk to the Sub-Committee

The Chair made introductions and explained the procedure for the hearing which was agreed by all parties.

The Licensing Officer presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘A’ to these minutes in the Minute Book.

The Licensing Sub-Committee was asked to consider an application made by Mudeford Cricket Club for a Club Premises Certificate at Mudeford Cricket Club, Ledbury Road, Christchurch. The application was to permit the on sale of alcohol from 18:00 to 21:30 on Monday to Friday, from 14:00 to 22:00 on Saturday and14:00 to 21:00 on Sunday between 01 April and 30 September each year.

The Licensing Authority had received 6 representations from local residents on the grounds that to grant the application would undermine the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety licensing objectives.

The following persons attended the hearing and addressed the Sub-Committee to expand on the points made in their written submissions:

For the Applicant:

Alan Bethune – Club Treasurer

Dr Ravi Ramtohal – Second Team Captain

Nicola Vines – Safeguarding Officer 

No objectors were present (the Clerk checked at 10.25 and 10:38 to see if the 2 objectors that had indicated they would be attending had arrived late but they were not present).

The Sub-Committee asked various questions of all parties present and was grateful for the responses received. All parties had the opportunity to ask questions. All parties were invited to sum up before the Sub-Committee retired to make its decision. Before concluding the hearing, the Legal Advisor advised all parties of the right of appeal.

Decision:

RESOLVED that the application for a new Club Premises Certificate at Mudeford Cricket Club, Ledbury Road, Christchurch, BH23 3LB be GRANTED. 

Reasons for Decision: 

The Sub-Committee gave detailed consideration to all of the information which had been submitted before the hearing and contained in the report for Agenda Item 5, together with the supplementary evidence submitted and the verbal submissions made at the hearing by the following persons representing the Club; Alan Bethune, Club Treasurer, Dr Ravi Ramtohal, Second Team Captain and Nicola Vines, Safeguarding Officer and Ellie King, Licensing Officer. 

No objectors were present at the hearing; however, the Sub-Committee took into account the written submissions submitted by 6 local residents on the grounds that to grant the application would undermine the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety licensing objectives.

The Sub-Committee acknowledged the concerns raised by residents and asked various questions based on their written representations. The main areas of concern relating to the Licensing Objectives highlighted in the representations were the potential for an increase in anti-social behaviour in the area and an increase in litter. 

The Sub-Committee was satisfied with the shared agreement in place between Mudeford Cricket Club and the Mudeford Men's Club, which is situated nearby, whereby the cricket club could use the recycling facilities. The Sub-Committee heard that the cricket club would remove all litter and recycling after each match and dispose of it appropriately. 

The Sub-Committee was informed that there was security around the pavilion and that there had been no issues of anti-social behaviour as a direct result of cricket club members in the past year. It was noted that members of the public also used the recreation ground, which was outside the control of the Cricket Club. 

The Sub-Committee was mindful that representations made about parking concerns could not be considered as this was not within the remit of the Licensing Sub-Committee or the 4 licensing objectives. 

The Sub-Committee wished to reiterate that the Cricket Club can only sell alcohol to club members and their bonafide guests as per the mandatory conditions of a Club Premises Certificate. 

In making this decision the Sub-Committee have had regard to the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council Licensing Policy, the revised guidance, as set out by the Secretary of State and the licensing objectives, as set out in the Licensing Act 2003. 

All parties to the application have the right to appeal to the Magistrate’s Court within the period of twenty-one days beginning with the day on which the applicant is notified by the Licensing Authority of this decision in writing.