Resolved –

(1)  That Councillor S Niblock be appointed Chair to consider the application in respect of Sheridans together with Councillors G Ellis and T Norbury.

(2)  That Councillor W J Davies be appointed Chair to consider the application in respect of The Montgomery together with Councillors E Boult and S Niblock.

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 Enterprise Inns to vary a Premises Licence in respect of Sheridans, 80 Wallasey Village, Wallasey, 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 a local resident.  A representation had also been received from Saint George’s Court Management Committee.  The representations related to noise nuisance from entertainment coming from the premises at a late hour.  The representations also related to nuisance from customers leaving the premises.

A representation had also been received from Ward Councillor, Leah Fraser which supported the concerns expressed by local residents. Copies of the representations were available.

Ms S McQuade, Designated Premises Supervisor attended the meeting together her representative Mr C Johnson.

Councillor Leah Fraser, Ward Councillor was also in attendance.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and provided an extended map of the area which included the location of local residents’ properties.

Mr Johnson addressed the Sub-Committee and informed Members that the premises was a three storey building comprising a public house and fourteen room accommodation which was located in Wallasey Village.  He reported that the Designated Premises Supervisor had been in the business for a number of years and at these particular premises over eight years.  He advised that the premises were crucial to the local community and outlined the ways in which the premises were used for the benefit of the local community including fund raising events, fun days and the provision of free refreshments and accommodation for residents meetings.  Mr Johnson believed that the application was necessary in order to succeed within the trade and explained that the variation would create a level playing field with other premises within the area.  Mr Johnson also explained that it was impractical to operate the premises on a daily basis with the condition that a personal licence holder must be on the premises at all times and therefore the applicant had requested to vary this condition.

Mr Johnson and Ms McQuade responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, Councillor Fraser and Mr D K Abraham, Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee.

Councillor Fraser explained the concerns of local residents regarding noise disturbance during the week and at weekends and the concerns caused by the request to vary the condition regarding the Personal Licence Holder.  Councillor Fraser advised that residents were concerned about the extra hour requested for Bank Holidays and also believed it would be excessive to open extra hours every weekend night in December.  Councillor Fraser stressed the importance of liaison with local residents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment reported upon an application that had been received from New Moon Pub Company to vary a Premises Licence in respect of The Montgomery, Stanley Lane, Eastham, 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.

Representations had been received from seven local residents.  The representations related to concerns that should the application be granted in respect of the request to extend the use of the outside area, noise nuisance and public nuisance would increase to a later hour. 

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

Mr Gazard, Senior Operations Manager attended the meeting together with his representative Mr Lyons.

Councillor P Gilchrist, Ward Councillor was also in attendance together with two local residents.  A further two local residents sent apologies due to illness.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and referred to an email that had been received from a local resident who could not attend the meeting.

Mr Lyons reported that the premises had recently changed hands following a period of time when it had been closed.  He advised that the premises had caused a number of problems in the past and that the applicant had spent a large amount of money on refurbishments.  He advised Members that the premises was food led and had a good reputation.  He believed that no issues had been raised with regard to the removal of the condition relating to safety stewards and withdrew the request to remove the condition regarding taxi firms providing a call back facility.  He explained to Members that the issues raised were concerning the extension of the use of the outside area for an extra hour and advised that the reason for this request was in order that outside dining could be provided at the premises.  He informed Members that the Operations Manager had many years experience in the business.  He reported that there would be no external speakers or live entertainment at the premises.  He suggested that the application was not unreasonable and reported that external CCTV cameras were in use, that a dedicated member of staff would be responsible for managing the outside area and that notices would be placed on tables asking customers to respect the neighbours.  My Lyons also advised that higher foliage would be planted which would act as a screen between Stanley Lane and the houses situated opposite.

My Lyons referred to each of the representations that had been made and expressed the wish of the applicant that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.