Agenda and draft minutes

The Panel is requested to elect a Chairperson for the hearing in line with rules agreed by the Licensing and Safety Committee. 

The Panel elected Councillor McDonald as Chairperson for this hearing in line with the rules agreed by the Licensing and Safety Committee.

There were none.

To agree that the Chairperson, after consultation with the other members of the Panel, sign the record of this meeting outside the meeting. 

It was agreed that the Chairperson, after consultation with the other members of the Panel, would sign the record of this meeting outside the meeting. 

The Chairperson will announce any late items which do not appear on the main agenda but which he/she has agreed should be considered by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the report. 

There were none. 

Members are invited to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Significant Interests in accordance with the Member Code of Conduct. Guidance on this is set out in agenda item 5.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other significant interests (OSIs)

There were none.

Other interests

There were none.

To consider a full variation Licence application for Smiles Kitchen Lounge 356-358 High Street Chatham ME4 4NP following the submission of representations, received during the consultation period.

Discussion:

The Chairperson explained the process that the hearing would follow as outlined on page 4 of the agenda and noted that the applicant had received a copy of the “Guidelines for Licensing Hearing Panels”.

The Licensing Officer informed the Panel that the applicant had applied for a Full Variation at Smiles Kitchen Lounge, 356-358 High Street, Chatham,

ME4 4NP.  All responsible authorities had been consulted in line with the Licensing Act 2003 and representatives had been received from a Ward Councillor and a member of the public.

The current premises licence was:

Sale by retail of Alcohol, Late Night Refreshment

Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 00:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 23:30

Non-standard times:  Good Friday and Christmas Day 12:00 to 23:30

Monday to Saturday 23:00 to 00:30 and Sunday 23:00 to 23:30

Non-standard times:  Good Friday and Christmas Day 23:00 to 23:30

The hours being applied for:

Late Night Refreshment

Monday to Saturday 23:00 to 03:00

Sunday 23:00 to 02:00

Live and Record Music

Monday to Saturday 23:00 to 02:00

Sunday 23:00 to 01:00

The Chairperson invited the applicant to speak in support of their application and the applicant explained he had applied last year, however, the consultation had to be restarted on several occasions due to a failure to display the notice correctly.  

Mr Ojo, the applicant, explained that he took the responsibility of being the owner of these premises seriously.  Soundproofing had been installed and two SIA Security Guards were employed for events and were located at the exit of the premises.  Notices had been installed reminding customers, when they left the premises, to be quiet and respectful of the local residents.

Mr Ojo had spoken to the Manager of Pembroke House and was informed that no concerns had been raised regarding his premises.  He will be having regular meetings with Pembroke House and had informed them to contact him if they had any concerns.

The Chairperson asked the objector if he had any questions for the applicant and the Ward Councillor explained that his objection to this application was not around alcohol provision but regarding noise levels from the premises.  He went on to explain that he had received emails from local residents complaining of the noise which had started at 08:30 last Thursday.  These concerns had since been reported to Medway Council’s Environmental Protection Team. 

Mr Ojo explained that could not have happened, as the cleaning of the premises did not start until he arrived at the premises at 10:00. 

The Ward Councillor asked whether one of his staff members could have been playing music whilst cleaning.  Mr Ojo confirmed he would investigate.

The Ward Councillor asked, as this had been a restaurant and venue for over 20 years, why did the applicant now require a licence until 03:00.  The applicant responded that if the licence was granted, he would then speak to his staff regarding staying open for that period of time.  The Panel questioned whether he had already asked his workforce about working  ...  view the full minutes text for item 889.

To consider a Temporary Event Notice for 15-19 New Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4QJ following the submission of a representation during the consultation period.

As the consultation period does not close until 20 April 2026, the report and appendices will follow as supplementary agenda items.

Decision:

The applicant withdrew their application for a Temporary Event Notice for 15 – 19 New Road, Chatham Kent ME4 4QJ prior to the hearing.

It is recommended that the Panel exclude the press and public from the meeting during the decision-making process for the reasons set out in the report. 

Decision:

The press and public were excluded from the meeting during the Panel’s deliberations and decision making in respect of agenda item 6 and 7, because consideration of this matter in public would disclosure information falling within paragraph  5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as specified in agenda item 7 (Exclusion of the Press and Public) and, in all the circumstances of the case, the Panel considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.