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

Members of the 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.

No such declarations were made.

The Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management reported upon an application that had been received from Mr Archchunan Thangarajah for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of PRM Choice Palace, 188 Borough Road, Seacombe, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The premises had not previously been licensed.  The application for the grant of a Premises Licence was for the following hours:

Supply of Alcohol

Sunday to Saturday  08:00 to 23:00

Hours Open to the Public

Sunday to Saturday  06:00 to 23:00

The applicant was required to submit an operating schedule setting out how they would conduct/manage their business 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 this application, two representations had been received from local residents.  A representation had also been received from a local business.  The representations related to anti-social behaviour which was currently a problem within the vicinity of the premises.  A petition had been received signed by 385 local residents.  The petition had been signed by local residents due to concerns relating to the cumulative impact of licensed premises within the vicinity of the premises and anti-social behaviour. 

No representations had been received from any of the Responsible Authorities.

Mr P Douglas, attended the meeting together with the applicant.

Councillor J Salter, Ward Councillor, was in attendance on behalf of those local residents who petitioned and also assisted Mr Shardey and Ms Morton, who objected to the application.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and that additional documentation had been received and distributed to all parties.  Councillor Salter requested to submit a map displaying the number of off licences in the area.  Mr Douglas had no objection to this and the map was therefore considered by Members.

Mr Douglas addressed the Sub-Committee and advised that the applicant had purchased the premises in 2007 and already owned several licensed premises on the Wirral and in Liverpool.  He reported that the applicant had met with Sergeant Jenkins who had no objections to the application provided that certain criteria were met which had been addressed in the operating schedule.  He sympathised with the objectors to the application but believed the objections were based upon need and speculation and submitted that there was no evidence to suggest that anti-social behaviour levels would increase should the application be granted.

Mr Douglas and Mr Thangarajah responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, Mr D K Abraham, Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee and Councillor Salter.

Councillor Salter referred to the statistics he had submitted which had been supplied by Sergeant Jenkins, Merseyside Police.  He made reference to the number of outlets which sold alcohol in the area and believed another outlet was not necessary.  He also expressed concerns regarding the sale of high strength  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

Members were advised that Merseyside Police had withdrawn their representation following agreement by the applicant to accept conditions proposed by them.