Agenda and draft minutes

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Thomas be appointed as Chair for this meeting of the Sub-Committee.

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

No declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests or personal interests were received.

Report of the Assistant Director – Highways and Public Protection

The Sub-Committee considered the report of the Assistant Director of Highways and Public Protection, regarding an application by Miss Saamia Akram for the Grant of a Premises Licence in respect of the above premises as follows:

• The sale of alcohol by retail

• Hours premises to be open to the public

An objection to the application had been received and this necessitated a hearing for which the Sub-Committee had been convened.

The Sub-Committee heard representations from:

• Mr Tony Clarke, on behalf of the applicant, in support of the application;

All parties agreed the issues that were in contention and the procedure that was to be followed.  There were no preliminary issues raised, and at the end of their representations, everyone confirmed they were satisfied that they had said all they wished to say.

The Sub-Committee retired under Regulation 14(2) of the Licensing Act (Hearings) Regulations 2005 (as amended) and thereby excluded the press and public whilst they reached their decision on the application.  The Sub-Committee returned to give their decision in public.

RESOLVED:

That the application for the Grant of a Premises Licence in respect of the above premises be granted subject to the hours set out below and the conditions contained within the operating schedule.

• The sale of alcohol by retail

• Hours premises to be open to the public

Reason(s):

The Sub-Committee has considered written and oral representations made on behalf of the Applicant, and of a local resident objecting to the application. The Sub-Committee also noted a petition containing 31 signatures of local residents.

The Sub-Committee note that this application is for the grant of a new Premises Licence and they are bound to have regard to the appropriate Legislation, Guidance and to Sefton Council’s own Statement of Licensing Policy. The Sub-Committee must grant the application unless it can be shown that to do so would be contrary to one of the licensing objectives. Statutory guidance states that Licensing authorities are best placed to make decisions about appropriate opening hours in their areas based on their local knowledge and in consultation with responsible authorities; no representations were received from any of the responsible authorities in response to this application. Licensing Authorities must always consider each application and must not impose predetermined opening hours, without giving individual consideration to the merits of each application. Shops, stores and supermarkets should normally be free to provide sales of alcohol for consumption off the premises at any times when the retail outlet is open  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.