Councillor John Salter declared a prejudicial interest in respect of the application regarding Pebbles upon recognising an individual who had attended the Hearing to speak against the application.

The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment reported upon an application that had been received from Samantha Hiillas for a Premises Licence in respect of Birkenhead Football Club (Rugby), Park Road North, Birkenhead, 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.

Nine representations had been received from local residents relating to noise nuisance from entertainment coming from the premises and nuisance caused by persons leaving the premises. Copies of the representations were available.

The applicant attended the meeting together with Phil Saunders ( Manager) and Pat Landsborough (Club Secretary).

Paul Thompson, a local resident attended along with Ward Councillor Harry Smith.

Members were made aware of additional evidence in the form of a CCTV recording that Paul Thompson, local resident, wished to present.  An adjournment was sought so that the applicant could consider whether they would allow for the material to be shown and considered by Members.

After an adjournment of 15 minutes it was resolved that the CCTV recording would not be considered by Members.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received.

Mrs Hillas addressed the Sub Committee and informed Members that the club had a Club Premises Certificate and were seeking a Premises Licence with the main change being the extension of hours on Friday and Saturday to 02:00 am. Members were made aware that currently the club had applied for Temporary Events Notices fairly routinely and had never had any representations in respect of these notices. Mrs Hillas acknowledged the concerns of the local residents and explained that she had written to occupants of neighbouring properties on two occasions to outline the proposed application and urged residents to contact her should they have any concerns.  The applicant informed the Committee that the main source of revenue from the Rugby Club is through sales at the bar and hiring of the function room and that the Club wish to increase their income through extending hours. The applicant addressed a recent complaint whereby the Club had breached one of its licensing conditions where a window was left open after 09:00 pm. It was explained that on this occasion the premises had become overheated and the Manager was concerned for the welfare of some of the Members. Fans have now been purchased in a way to rectify this problem and to prevent the need for windows to be left open.

The applicant responded to questions from the Members of the Sub – Committee, Mr Paul Thompson, Councillor Harry Smith and Mr D K Abraham, Legal Advisor to the Sub- Committee.

Mr Thompson raised objections to the grant of a premises licence on the grounds that there would be the potential for further noise disruption to the surrounding area. Members were made aware of a series of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Resolved – That the application be deferred to a future date due to a Member of the Sub Committee having declared a prejudicial interest.