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 John Navarathnam for a Premises Licence in respect of Pasture News, 27 Pasture Road, Moreton, 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 Merseyside Police.  The representation related to a current problem of anti-social behaviour caused by youths within the vicinity of the premises including attempts by these youths to obtain alcohol, either in person or by proxy.  Merseyside Police had concerns that should the application be granted this would provide increased opportunity to commit crime and disorder.  Merseyside Police also advised that the applicant had been issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice in June 2013 following the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 18 whilst working at a store in Prescot, Merseyside.  A copy of the representation was available.

The applicant attended the meeting together with his representative Mr Douglas.

Sergeant Barrigan attended the meeting together with Constable Coley and Neighbourhood Sergeant Roberts.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and that Sergeant Barrigan wished to submit photographs of the premises which had been agreed to by Mr Douglas.

The applicant’s representative referred to the fact that the only representation that had been received was that of Merseyside Police.  He pointed out that no representations had been made by local residents, Councillors or any of the other responsible authorities.  He believed that the application was not controversial in respect of the operating hours and no comment had been made upon the hours by Merseyside Police.  He referred to the fact that there was no cumulative impact policy in the area and believed that granting the application would not give rise to a negative cumulative impact.  He pointed out that the calls made regarding anti social behaviour had been made by the same person but that the individual concerned had not made a representation.  He referred to the test purchase which had been failed by the applicant and believed that he should not be penalised by this one incident.  He advised Members that the applicant would operate a Challenge 25 Policy and that staff would attend training provided by Trading Standards or an accredited BIIAB trainer.  He also assured Members that if youths congregated outside the premises they would be asked to move on and proposed that the applicant would be content to leave a condition on the Premises Licence regarding this.  He understood that the problems of anti social behaviour in the area were under control. 

Mr Douglas informed Members that the applicant held a Personal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.