Resolved –

(1)  That Councillor M Hornby be appointed Chair to consider the matter regarding 56 King Street, Wallasey together with Councillors G Ellis and H Smith.

(2)  That Councillor H Smith be appointed Chair to consider the matter regarding 43 Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead together with Councillors M Hornby and J Salter.

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 Selvarasa Selvakumaran for a premises licence in respect of the premises located at 56 King Street, Wallasey, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The hours requested were outlined in 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. Following discussions with Merseyside Police, the applicant had agreed to certain conditions being imposed on the Premises Licence should the application be granted.

Representations had been received from four local residents and a petition had been received signed by 83 local residents. . The representations and petition related to concerns that anti-social behaviour and under age drinking will increase if the application were to be granted. Copies of the representations and petition were available.

A representation had also been received from Ward Councillor, Bernie Mooney. The representation supported the concerns expressed by local residents. A copy of the representation was available.

The applicant attended the meeting together with his representative, Mr Jordan.

Local Residents, Mr Kershaw, Mr Gilmore and Mr Kelly were also in attendance.

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

Mr Jordan addressed the Sub-Committee detailing the 18 months experience Mr Selvakumaran has had working in licensed premises. It was explained that the applicant is particularly aware of how to effectively deal with underage and proxy sales. Mr Jordan advised that if Members agree to approve this application, his client will have: an in house training programme for all staff, CCTV will be installed, a policy of no sales of beer, lager or cider over 6.5% abv will be adopted, a challenge 25 policy will be in place and a refusal register will be maintained.

Mr Jordan further informed Members that his client has had no previous convictions and fully understands the principles of the Licensing Objectives. He then referred to the fact that no representations had been made by Merseyside Police or any other responsible authority.

Members were made aware that Mr Selvakumaran fully understands concerns of local residents and hopes to address this by applying conditions as specified above.

The applicant and his representative responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, local residents, Mr Kershaw and Mr Gilmore and DK Abraham, Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee.

Mr Kershaw reported upon high levels of anti-social behaviour and street drinking in close proximity to the premises. He stated that, in his opinion, opening of another licensed premises would exacerbate the situation and lead to further public disorder and increased crime and disorder in the area. Further concerns were raised regarding the situation of the bus stop and logistical issues regarding placing of bins on the highway.

Mr Gilmore stated that he had lived and worked in the area for 30 years and currently owns the business next door to the premises  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment reported upon an application that had been received from Mr Markandu Nesarasa for a Premises Licence in respect of the premises located at 43 Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The hours requested were outlined in 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.

Representations had been made from seven local residents and a petition had been signed by 268 local residents. The representations and the petition related to concerns that anti-social behaviour will increase within the vicinity of the premises if this application was granted. Representations also expressed concerns regarding young persons under the age of 18 gaining access to alcohol. Copies of the representations and petition were available.

Representations had been made by Ward Councillors: Brian Kenny, Jean Stapleton and Phil Davies on behalf of local residents.

A representation had been received from the Licensing Authority due to evidence that a premises in which the applicant is currently the Designated Premises Supervisor had been selling alcohol outside its permitted hours. The Licensing Authority had concerns that if a Licence is granted to the applicant at these premises then this may result in further breaches being committed and causing the Licensing Objectives to be undermined. A copy of the representation was available.

A representation had also been received from Merseyside Police relating to current problems in the area relating to street drinkers within the vicinity of the premises. Concerns were raised that the Licensing Objectives will not be upheld if the application was to be granted. A copy of the representation was available.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received. Members were informed that an additional document had been submitted prior to the hearing by Merseyside Police that had been accepted by the applicant and his legal representative.

Mr Jordan reported that following discussions with the applicant, various conditions had been suggested including:

·  Sale of alcohol to be amended to start from 8am

·  Regular training for all staff on underage sales, proxy sales and selling of alcohol to the intoxicated. Training records should be made available at request to Licensing Officers

·  No beer/ cider or lager to be sold above 6.5% abv.

·  No single cans to be sold

·  CCTV to be installed and available on request

Members heard that the applicant has had 10 years experience working in licensed premises. He currently has control of 5 premises. Mr Jordan reported that here has only been one incident during this time whereby the applicant had been responsible for a breach of licensing conditions at a premises where he is the Designated Premises Supervisor. It was reported that the applicant has since retrained staff and no further breaches have occurred.

Mr Jordan addressed residents concerns relating to the premises in question under previous management and stated how his  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.