Extra Ordinary Meeting 25th August
Uffington Parish Council
Approved minutes of the Extra Ordinary Uffington Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 25th August 2021 at 7.30pm
Present: Cllr Brown – Chairman, Cllr Hutchins, Cllr Barratt, Cllr Woolf, Cllr Hartley, District Cllr Trollope-Bellew and twenty-three members of the public.
Minutes taken by Cllr Hutchins
- Apologies: Cllr Sheehan, Cllr Genever (conflict of interest) Mrs. K Turner (Clerk)
- Approval of Minutes from 5th August
Comments to note that Cllr Sheehan was recorded to have abstained from voting on item 4 and should have read Cllr Woolf. Minutes will be amended to reflect the change
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 5th August 2021 were agreed as a true representation of the meeting and were approved.
Pro: Cllr Barratt Sec: Cllr Woolf
- Licence Variation Application made by the Bertie Arms
The Chairman explained that, in order for the Parish Council to be fully transparent this extra ordinary meeting had been called following receipt of a letter from a village resident who wished to remain anonymous, plus other concerns which have been expressed around this application. The Chairman explained how the meeting would be conducted and informed those present that they were not permitted to speak during the meeting unless they were asked to do so. The Chairman also added that the Licence applicants James and Katie Genever were present but any questions directed to them should be made through the Chair.
Prior to this meeting the Parish councillors had discussed the matter via email and that the Chairman had also had a telephone conversation with James Genever followed by a letter from both Katie and James Genever. This letter was then read aloud to those present at the meeting
One point raised by residents was the incorrect display of public notices for the application. Cllr Brown advised that this had been addressed by SKDC, as confirmed by an email sent from Cllr Trollope-Bellew and consequently the final date for making a representation was now 9 September 2021. It was then noted that any representations made to SKDC had to be evidence based they cannot be purely concerns or fears and must relate to one or more of the licensing objectives – Prevention of Public nuisance, Public safety, Prevention of crime and disorder/protection of children from harm
The Chairman asked for comments from Councillors and these are summarized below
- Lack of Information on the application or sight of an operating schedule detailing how the new licensing hours would be used for or what activities would take place in the increased licensing area
- Increased levels of noise and the obvious effect on residents. What measures would be put in place to manage and control noise levels and public nuisance
- Reduction in car park capacity increasing the current level of overspill parking in Bertie Lane and the immediate vicinity of the pub which could prevent access by emergency services
The Chairman then asked for comments from the public. Several members expressed their views in opposition of the application and these are summarised below
- Increased noise levels and disturbance due to operating extended hours. Under the current hours residents have had to keep windows closed in hot weather and have been unable to enjoy their homes and gardens. Residents felt that 11pm was late enough for a small village pub and that notification of when events would extend beyond 11pm would be useful as, in the past, residents have had to contact the premises after licensing hours to ask for music to be turned down
- The application does not specify what events are intended or when or in which areas they will take place
- There is no supporting operating schedule to indicate what controls will be in place to manage the 4 licensing objectives
- Increased levels of anti-social behaviour as residents have previously experienced incidents of public urination in sight of their homes
- One resident is already finding the disturbances difficult as they have a medical condition and felt that longer licensing hours could impact them further
A number of residents and also a representative of the Uffington Cricket Club made several comments in support of The Bertie Arms and its valuable and positive contribution to the quality of village life
During the meeting Katie Genever asked to speak to clarify certain points raised
The application is in and applied for and it cannot be amended.
Following submission of any representations there will be a period of consultation/arbitration.
Under the current licence held, 15 temporary events/late licences can be applied for each year. The current licence covers the old garden/patio area and the new licence will cover the whole outside area
Having listened to all those present the Chairman consulted with the Councillors present and advised that from this meeting Uffington Parish Council would be submitting a representation to SKDC on two of the licensing objectives. Prevention of public nuisance and public safety. The vote was unanimous in favour
The Chairman then went onto explain that this representation would only be on behalf of Uffington Parish Council and advised residents and Councillors that if anyone wished too, they should make their own individual representation
Meeting closed. Next meeting to be held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 15th September
Uffington Parish Council.
Variation of licence application representation
Applicants:James and Katie Genever
Premises:The Bertie Arms, Bertie Lane , Uffington, Stamford. PE9 4SZ
30th August 2021
We are submitting a representation as the submitted application does not promote the licensing objectives of Prevention of Public Nuisance and Public Safety for the following reasons:
Under the current license, residents have experienced excessive noise levels that have impacted their lifestyle, e.g., forced to keep windows closed in hot weather and unable to enjoy their own homes and gardens. Whilst residents accept there will be a certain amount of disturbance from a licensed premises, on occasion they have had to contact the premises after licensing hours to ask for the noise level to be addressed. As there has not been public visibility of an Operating Schedule to support the application or explanation or reassurance of how future operations under extended hours will be managed, residents are obviously concerned about further increased impact on their lifestyle.
Further, as the application seeks to license more, or all, of the car park, this will obviously impact the capacity of the car park. Current capacity often results in patrons parking in the immediate vicinity, obstructing access to the properties on Bertie Lane and, most importantly, vehicular access to emergency services.
In conclusion, having listened to their residents at an open meeting, the Parish Council consider it appropriate to make this representation.
Barrie Brown Chairman
On behalf of The Clerk Mrs Katie Turner.
Uffington pc1@gmail.com