Resolved - That Councillor S Niblock be appointed Chair for this meeting.

Members are asked to consider whether they have personal or prejudicial interests in connection with any item(s) on this agenda, and, if so, to declare them and state what they are.

Members were asked to consider whether they had personal or prejudicial interests in connection with the item on the agenda, and, if so, to declare them and state what they were.

No such declarations were made.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application that had been received from Enterprise Inns plc to vary a Premises Licence in respect of the Sandon Arms, 59 Milner Road, Heswall, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The hours applied for to vary the Premises Licence were outlined within the report.

The applicants had submitted an operating schedule setting out how the business would be conducted/managed in accordance with the four licensing objectives.  A copy of the full application was available.  Members were advised that the proposals set out in the operating schedule may become conditions of the licence should the licence be granted.

In respect of the application, nine representations had been received from local residents.  The representations related to a history of noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour caused by customers of the premises at a late hour.

A representation had also been received from Environmental Health due to a history of complaints received from local residents regarding noise from music coming from the premises.

Copies of all representations were available at the meeting.

Mr R Taylor, Solicitor representing Enterprise Inns plc (the Premises Licence Holder) attended the meeting.  Also in attendance were Mr G Laycock, Ms S Dunn, Designated Premises Supervisor and Ms J Morris, Assistant Manager.

Ward Councillor, Councillor A Hodson attended the meeting together with Mrs M Goulding and Mrs C Salthouse, local residents.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and that a written request had been received for Councillor Hodson to speak on behalf of residents.  The Licensing Manager confirmed that extra documentation had been submitted prior to the hearing which had been agreed by both parties.

Mr Taylor addressed the Sub-Committee and advised Members that the application for the variation was to extend licensable activities by one hour and to allow the use of the beer garden for an extra hour to 9.00 pm.  He referred to the poor history of the premises and previous owners which had led to the premises being taken to review.  He advised that the premises had subsequently closed for six months prior to Mr Laycock taking an interest in the premises.  He advised that a substantial amount of money had been spent on refurbishing the premises and informed Members that he wanted to create a traditional family pub.  He reported that Mr Laycock had many years experience and was a responsible operator.  He believed that since September the premises had operated with no problems.  He understood the concerns of local residents but believed that the concerns raised were due to the poor history and previous tenants of the premises.  He reported that Mr Laycock had been in constant contact with Merseyside Police and Environmental Health in order to address any concerns raised.

Mr Taylor and Mr Layccock responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, Mr Abraham, Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee, Councillor A Hodson and local residents.

Mr N Joughin, Environmental  ...  view the full minutes text for item 144.