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

Members of the Sub-Committee were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests in connection with any application on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

No such declarations were made.

The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment reported upon an application that had been received from Sellathurai Ramanusam and Thasinthini Ramanusam for a Premises Licence in respect of Michaels of Moreton, 302 Hoylake Road, Moreton, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The hours requested were outlined within the report.  The applicant 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. 

Representations had been received from twelve local residents.  The representations related to concerns that anti-social behaviour would increase within the vicinity of the premises, should the application be granted.  Representations also expressed concerns regarding young persons under the age of 18 gaining access to alcohol. 

A representation had also been received from Councillor Chris Blakeley, Moreton West and Saughall Massie Ward Councillor.  The representation supported the concerns expressed by local residents.  Copies of all representations were available.

Members were advised that further to consultation with Merseyside Police (Licensing Division), the applicant had agreed to a number of conditions being imposed on the Premises Licence should the application be granted

The applicant attended the meeting together with his representative.

Two local residents were in attendance together with Councillor Bruce Berry, Ward Councillor who was attending the meeting on behalf of Councillor Chris Blakeley.

The Chair requested whether all parties were content with the meeting being filmed by a member of the public.

One of the local residents who had made representations regarding the application objected to proceedings being filmed, therefore the Chair advised the member of the public to remove the camera.  This was directed in accordance with paragraph 25 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and that the applicant wished to submit further documentation which was agreed to by all parties and would be considered at the appropriate time.  The Licensing Manager also confirmed that Councillor Blakeley had requested that Councillor Berry speak on his behalf.

The applicant’s representative advised Members that the premises was family run and that the applicant lived above the premises with his wife and children.  He reported that the applicant had run the premises for over a year and that the opening hours would remain the same.  He gave details of the applicant’s previous experience selling alcohol in that he had previously run premises in London and had not encountered any problems, he also outlined a number of measures that would be in place at the premises including Challenge 25, till prompts and CCTV.  He informed Members that the applicant and his wife both held Personal Licences and that two test purchases regarding age related products had taken place at the premises in the last 12 months that had been successful in that the sales  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.