Resolved – That Councillor A Hodson be appointed Chair for this meeting.

Members of the Sub-Committee are 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.

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.

Councillor S Niblock declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Member of the Fire Authority as they had originally made a representation in respect of the application however this representation had subsequently been withdrawn.

All parties confirmed they had no objection to Councillor Niblock considering the application.

The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment reported upon an application that had been received from Christopher Nolan for a Premises Licence in respect of Fusion Bar and Grill, 28 Upton Road, Claughton, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

Following a meeting between the applicant and local residents, the applicant had agreed to withdraw the request for Live Music from the applications.  Also, following discussions with Merseyside Police, the applicant agreed to amend the application to include a number of conditions in the Operating Schedule.

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. Amendments to the operating schedule were set out within the report. 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 twenty six local residents. The representations related to public nuisance and anti-social behaviour which it was considered would be caused by customers of the premises should the application be granted.  A petition signed by 29 local residents who were against the application had also been received.

A petition had also been received signed by 133 persons who were in support of the application.  A Facebook extract in support of the premises had also been submitted by the applicant.

A representation had been received from the Fire Authority which had subsequently been withdrawn.

A representation had also been received from the Planning Authority who had advised that, on 8 June 2015, the premises had been granted approval for the change of use of the premises to a restaurant subject to it not being open between the hours of 23:00 and 08:00.

The applicant and a number of local residents attended the meeting.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and that Mr Petty would be speaking on behalf of a number of residents.  The Licensing Manager informed Members that Mr Petty and Ms Johns would make reference to photographical evidence and that the applicant was content for these documents to be considered by Members.

Mr Nolan addressed the Sub-Committee and advised that he currently operated a licensed restaurant in Claughton Village and had done so for over eight years and that he lived above these premises.  He reported that he had built up a reputation for his business and that it had been voted one of the best restaurants in Merseyside.  He advised that he had held a Premises Licence for many years and had never received any complaints and that the new premises would allow him to develop his business and would create a number of jobs for local people.  He reported that the current premises was a community hub used by local school teachers, doctors and churches for meetings. 

In response to questions from Members, the applicant advised that the new premises would seat up to fifty  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.