Resolved – That Councillor S Niblock be appointed Chair for this meeting.

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 Martin McColl Limited for a Premises Licence in respect of Martins, 389 Upton Road, Noctorum, 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. 

A representation had been received from a local business.  A petition had also been received signed by 94 local residents.  The representation and petition related to concerns of public nuisance caused by youths within the vicinity of the premises which was currently a problem.  Copies of the representation and the petition were available.

A representation had also been received from Merseyside Police.  The representation related to a current problem of anti social behaviour caused by youths within the vicinity of the premises.  Merseyside Police had concerns that anti social behaviour would increase should the application be granted and they also considered that the Operating Schedule did not sufficiently demonstrate how crime and disorder would be prevented at these premises in the future.

Environmental Health had also submitted a representation relating to the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety.

The applicant company was representated at the hearing by Mr Gates and Mr Crank, Solicitor.

Two local residents were in attendance who were also the local business owners that had made a representation.

Sergeant S Barrigan, Merseyside Police, was also in attendance.

Mr C Clayton, Environmental Health Officer was also in attendance.

The Chair requested whether all parties were content with the meeting being filmed by a member of the public.

A short adjournment took place for Members to consider whether to allow filming of the proceedings.

The meeting reconvened.

The applicant’s solicitor and Sergeant Barrigan raised concerns regarding the filming of the meeting and members of the public being present.  The concerns related to ongoing criminal proceedings and issues regarding security at the premises.  Sergeant Barrigan requested that the meeting be held in private.

A further adjournment took place while Members considered the request for the meeting to be held in private.

The meeting reconvened.

The Chair resolved to exclude members of the public further to the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005 after considering the representations made.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and that the applicant’s solicitor had proposed a number of conditions to be attached to the Premises Licence and that the application had been amended reducing the hours applied for.

The applicant’s solicitor advised Members that the application had been amended and a number of conditions had been proposed to be attached to the Premises Licence.  He advised that the premises had operated as a convenience store  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.