Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Anne Beauchamp 

Items
No. Item

32.

APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR

Minutes:

Resolved –

 

(1)  That Councillor S Niblock be appointed Chair to consider the matter regarding Otto Lounge, together with Councillors H Smith and M Sullivan.

 

(2)  That Councillor S Niblock be appointed Chair to consider the matter regarding Bebington Service Station, together with Councillors I Lewis and H Smith.

33.

MEMBERS' CODE OF CONDUCT - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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.

 

Minutes:

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.

34.

APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE - OTTO LOUNGE, UNIT 8, 139-141 TELEGRAPH ROAD, HESWALL pdf icon PDF 105 KB

Minutes:

The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment reported upon an application that had been received from Loungers Limited for a Premises Licence in respect of Otto Lounge, Unit 8, 139-141 Telegraph Road, Heswall, 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 14 local residents.  The representations related to concerns of noise nuisance that may be caused by persons leaving the premises at a late hour which was currently a problem within the vicinity of the premises and had been made in respect of the original application.  Residents had subsequently been advised of the amendments to the application and those that had responded had asked that their representations be taken into consideration. 

 

A representation had also been received from Ward Councillor, Les Rowlands.  The representation supported the concerns expressed by local residents.  Copies of the representations were available.

 

Mr Rosser, agent for the applicant, attended the meeting together with Mr Behan, the proposed Designated Premises Supervisor.

 

Mr Harrison, local resident was also in attendance.

 

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and that a number of residents had requested that Mr Harrison speak on their behalf.  The Licensing Manager also advised that Councillor Rowlands was unable to attend the meeting and requested that his written representations be taken into consideration.  The Licensing Manager confirmed that the hours requested for opening were from 8.00 am.

 

Mr Rosser addressed the Sub-Committee and outlined the application.  He advised that the Lounge Group owned a series of café/bar restaurants which were very well run, food driven, family friendly establishments.  He informed Members that there were 30 Lounges around the country, all of which had Premises Licences and had been run without experiencing any problems with regard to the licensing objectives.  He reported that the hours had been reduced in line with planning and that a number of conditions had been proposed which he believed would meet the concerns of local residents and the licensing objectives.  Mr Rosser also advised that the premises had been operating for the past two weeks under Temporary Events Notices and no problems had been experienced.

 

Mr Rosser and Mr Behan responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, Mr D K Abraham, Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee and Mr Harrison.

 

Mr Harrison advised Members that the concerns of local residents were regarding the later hours from 8.00 pm to midnight.  He informed Members that problems were currently experienced with another licensed premises in the vicinity and advised that the objections were based on past experience.  Mr Harrison reported that he also had concerns regarding the bi-fold doors at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

35.

APPLICATION TO VARY A PREMISES LICENCE - BEBINGTON SERVICE STATION, KINGS ROAD, HIGHER BEBINGTON pdf icon PDF 97 KB

Minutes:

The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment reported upon an application that had been received from Rontec Watford Limited to vary a Premises Licence in respect of Bebington Service Station, Kings Road, Higher Bebington, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

 

The variation requested was 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.

 

A representation had been received from Merseyside Police who advised that should the application be granted this would lead to an increase in alcohol related anti-social behaviour.  A copy of the representation was available.

 

Mr Lowe from Rontec Limited attended the meeting together with his legal representative Mr Botkai.

 

Sergeant Barrigan and Constable Jones were also in attendance.

 

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

 

Mr Botkai addressed the Sub-Committee and advised Members that the opening hours requested were from 06:00 am until 12:00 midnight and not 24 hours and that he was content for this to be reflected in the hours of operation of the premises.  He informed Members that the application had been submitted in order that the hours permitted to sell alcohol at the premises would match the opening hours.  Mr Botkai referred to the Statutory Guidance which stated that this should generally be permitted unless there was good reason for it to be restricted.  He also referred to paragraph 8.4 of the Council’s Licensing Policy which was in line with the Statutory Guidance.  Mr Botkai stated that no representations had been received from Trading Standards, Environmental Health, local residents or businesses in the area.  He referred to the representations provided by Merseyside Police, however, he submitted that the representations were not directly linked to the premises but referred to the area in general.  He advised Members that Rontec were responsible retailers who operated a Challenge 25 Policy and undertook staff training.  Mr Botkai believed there was no evidence that the application would be contrary to the licensing objectives and requested that the application to vary the Premises Licence be granted.

 

Mr Botkai responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee and Sergeant Barrigan.

 

Sergeant Barrigan advised that Merseyside Police had made representations against the application as they believed that the increase in availability of alcohol could lead to an increase in alcohol related anti social behaviour which would undermine the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder.  Sergeant Barrigan reported that the police beat in which the premises were located was a hotspot for alcohol related anti social behaviour involving adults and young people.  He expressed concern regarding the extra hour that alcohol would be available compared to other premises in the vicinity and requested that the application to vary the Premises Licence  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.