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 Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment reported upon an application that had been received from Mr Sinnathamby Elangaiventhan for a Premises Licence in respect of 65/67 Oxton Road, Birkenhead, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The hours requested were outlined within the report and it was further reported that the premises were currently closed and had previously traded as a Public House.

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 three local residents and one from a local business.  A petition signed by 201 local residents had also been received.  The representations related to public nuisance being caused by street drinkers within the vicinity of the premises and concerns that the public nuisance would increase should the application be granted. 

A representation had also been received from Birkenhead and Tranmere Ward Councillors which supported the concerns of local residents. 

Merseyside Police had also made a representation which related to a number of factors that caused them to believe that the licensing objectives would be undermined should the application be granted.  Copies of all the representations and the petition were available.

The applicant attended the meeting with his representative Mr Birch.  Councillors Kenny and Stapleton, Ward Councillors, were also in attendance.

Sergeant S Barrigan and Constable P Coley, Police Licensing also attended the meeting.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and that further documentation had been submitted by Merseyside Police to which all parties had agreed and in response to a question from the Chair, also confirmed that the current licence had not been surrendered.

The applicant’s representative addressed the Sub-Committee and explained that the applicant wanted to run a convenience store with alcohol being 20% of the display.  He reported that the premises would be well fitted and equipped and that the applicant did not wish to cause any problems in the vicinity.  He referred to the licensing objectives and explained how he believed these would be upheld should the licence be granted.  He proposed that a number of conditions be added onto the Premises Licence which he believed should address the issues raised in the representations and offered that a condition be placed on the Premises Licence not to sell cider over 7% ABV.  He referred to the representations presented and did not dispute the fact that there were problems in the area regarding street drinkers and anti social behaviour, however, he believed no evidence had been presented as to why the application should not be granted.

The applicant’s representative responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, Councillors Kenny and Stapleton and Mr D K Abraham, Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee.

Councillor Kenny spoke on behalf of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.