The council's licenses subcommittee convened to discuss applications for premises licenses, focusing on the Captain Kidd public house. The meeting involved detailed discussions on extending the pub's operating hours, with input from both the applicant and a local resident objector.

Decision on Captain Kidd Public House: The application sought to extend the pub's operating hours on weekends. The applicant argued that the extension would help the business remain competitive and viable, especially post-pandemic. The resident objected, citing increased noise and disturbance. The decision's implications hinge on balancing business interests with community peace. The committee considered conditions to mitigate potential disturbances, such as a robust dispersal policy.

Additional Information: The meeting was notable for its detailed resident testimony, emphasizing the real-world impact of council decisions on community life. The absence of objections from statutory bodies like the police was highlighted, suggesting either a lack of precedent for issues or a gap in enforcement engagement. The committee's approach to potentially extending decision deadlines for various other applications suggests a busy agenda ahead, reflecting ongoing adjustments in local business operations and community interactions. The meeting was a licensing subcommittee session chaired by Councillor Mark Francis. The main focus was on two licensing applications: one for Focaccia Mia, which was resolved before the meeting, and another for the Captain Kidd Public House, which was discussed in detail.

1. Captain Kidd Public House Licensing Application:

   • Application Details: The Captain Kidd Public House, located at 108 Wapping High Street, sought to extend its licensing hours. The proposed changes were to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol to 11 p.m. on Sundays, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
   • Applicant's Representation: Sarah Taylor represented the applicant, Samuel Smith. She emphasized that the pub is a traditional establishment without regulated entertainment like sports screens or karaoke. The application aimed to help the business remain competitive and cope with financial pressures due to the pandemic and other economic factors. Taylor highlighted that the premises had no history of significant complaints and proposed robust conditions to manage any potential issues.
   • Objector's Representation: Duncan McLaughlin, a resident, raised concerns about noise and disturbances caused by patrons leaving the pub late at night. He argued that extending the hours would exacerbate these issues, particularly affecting residents' sleep and peace. McLaughlin noted that while the pub is well-regarded, the current dispersal of patrons is poorly managed, leading to noise and littering in the surrounding area.
   • Discussion Points:
     • The applicant proposed a dispersal policy to manage patrons leaving the premises and offered a contact number for residents to report issues directly to the pub manager.
     • McLaughlin and other residents were skeptical about the effectiveness of the dispersal policy, citing past experiences of noise and disturbances.
     • The subcommittee noted that there had been few formal complaints to the authorities in recent years.
   • Decision Considerations: The subcommittee would deliberate on whether the proposed conditions and dispersal policy would sufficiently mitigate the concerns raised by residents.

2. Administrative Items:

   • Apologies for Absence: No apologies were noted.
   • Declarations of Members' Interests: Councillor Mark Francis disclosed that he had previously visited the Captain Kidd Public House but did not consider it a pecuniary interest.
   • Minutes of Previous Meetings: The minutes from the meetings on 27th February and 12th March were discussed. The minutes from 12th March were agreed upon, while the minutes from 27th February were deferred.
   • Extension of Decision Deadlines: The committee agreed to extend the decision deadlines for several applications, including Lucia Unit 5007, Queen's Yard 43, White Horse Lane, and others, to 30th June 2024.

The meeting concluded with the subcommittee adjourning to deliberate on the Captain Kidd Public House application in private. The decision would be communicated within five working days.