Broke off from the powerful Scrutiny Finance committee to attend and do my duty by the ward. This was my first Licensing hearing in the new world order.
It was reassuring to see widely respected former Chairman Andrew Percy was on the panel as well as two common sense Lib dem cllrs in Elaine Garland and John Robinson.
Matters were conducted by the agreed procedure and I was rather reassured by the tough questions Andrew posed. Mitchell And Butler (the pub owners) had brought probably the leading solicitors in licensing applications in the country with them, but as ever I was undaunted knowing you had charged me with speaking for you. (I am sure Andrew was undaunted too but he has dealt with them before, and of course I had no idea what he was going to say since he is not allowed to discuss matters before the meeting - as I cannot on planning matters).
After the case was put and the applicants had faced Andrew's tough questions (I declined to interrogate the applicants leaving that to Andrew's expertise; I was there as the voice of the people not an expert) I made your case for you. I must have had some effect because the applicant's backtracked on the new branding being really all that significant (I had suggested tat if "cornerstone" was aimed at a local family pub as part of the community with a food "offer", why was all this needed since the current National is just that. I also pointed out the pictures they brought were rather suggestive of increased external noise and more volume sales).
Anyway no need to go into what I said or if it was good, bad or indifferent ("he who speaks of himself speaks false", I will have to hope Andrew does a posting praising me to the heavens!!!), suffice it to say I faced a question from the applicant (!) and then was interrogated by Andrew about local feeling.
We were invited to leave and after what seemed an eternity in a draughty Guildhall passage, and must have been some ten minutes, we were told we had been successful to a considerable point.
THE EXISTING LICENCE WAS CONFIRMED BUT THE LATER HOURS EVERY NIGHT WERE REJECTED EXCEPT FOR A FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.
I have no idea who said what or voted which way behind the closed doors, I am as certain as possible in my own mind Andrew was persuaded and at least one other must have been; but I am grateful to all involved for helping defend this residential area where people choose to live and invest in.
The process, initiated by the Government reforms but successfully introduced and interpreted by Andrew when chairman seemed fair and obviously I am delighted at the result and grateful for the resident support we had. There were letters and at least one concerned young mother attended in person. Thank you to you all.
Watch this space (and of course more of CONTACT the pioneering and trailblazing family of printed newsletters brought t you all year round by your local campaigning team) for more news on The Good Fellowship, and the planning application for The National. Andrew will lead on the latter, I cannot express an opinion before a planning meeting on any application without losing my vote - so do write or contact my fellow hard working local campaigner IF you have any views for or against the planning proposals.
