Agenda and minutes

Members and officers must declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to any business on the agenda.  Declarations should also be made at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting.

If in doubt contact the Legal or Democratic Services representative for this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest

To receive any questions from Members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 11.2

(Note: Public Question Time will operate for a maximum of 30 minutes.)

There were no questions from the public

To approve the minutes of the Licensing Committee meetings held on the 21 June 2021 and the Licensing and Regulatory Sub Committee of the 6 July 2021.

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on the 21 June 2021 and the Licensing Regulatory Sub Committee meeting of the 6 July 2021 be approved as the correct record

To consider any items the Chairman of the meeting considers to be urgent

There were no urgent items

To consider a report by the Director for Communities, copy attached as item 5

Before the Committee was a report by the Director for Communities, a copy of which had been circulated to all members, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as item 5. The report before members detailed an application that was subject to formal representation and therefore it fell to the Committee to determine.

The Licensing Officer outlined the application for members and provided an update on representations and mediation. The applicant’s representative confirmed that the outline had been accurate.

Members questions for the reporting officer

Members questioned the Licensing Officer about opening times in the vicinity of the premises. The information was provided, however, the Licensing Officer told the Committee that each case must be considered on its own merits.

A Member asked if Police representations had considered the safety of employees and was told that the premises would have to have a risk assessment. More specific representations would depend on the type of application and the area the premises was in.

Members asked questions about determining the application and adding conditions concerning opening hours and were told that any non-mediated amendments would need to be accompanied with good reasons.

Members also asked about the extent of responsibility of the premises to manage patrons once they had left the premises.

Applicant’s representation

The applicant’s representative made a representation which is summarised as follows:

·       The director of the proposed premises had significant experience, including premises in ;

·       The Premises would be selling a wide variety of products, alcohol would account for about 10-15% of the business;

·       The business was to be a franchise and the licence hold would have a responsibility to maintain the reputation of the franchise;

·       Staff training was of a quality level and would be provided by the franchise;

·       The Licence holder was investing in security equipment such as digital remote CCTV;

·       There would be seven staff employed at the premises and the Licence Holder would be based at the store. The Licence Holder lived 15 minutes from the premises;

·       The Licensing Act was about flexibility and any decision had to be justified

·       There were relatively low risks associated with the premises;

·       There would be challenge 25 operating in the premises this would be underpinned by training on underage sales;

·       Other important measures would be put in place including an incident log.

·       With reference to representations made about the premises, parking was irrelevant to the Licensing Act however there was a car park that would be used;

·       A review of the premises cold be called for if issues at the premises emerged;

·       The mediated agreement with the police was key, the representation of the police had been withdrawn following mediation with the proposed licence holder.

Questions for the Applicant from Members

The applicant’s representative was questioned concerning the safety of staff and was told that conditions would only be added if there was a grave risk. However the operator was responsible, risk assessments would be made and the respect for safety would  ...  view the full minutes text for item ADC - LC/10/21-22