Resolved – That Councillor T Norbury be appointed Chair for this meeting.

Members of the Sub-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.

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 Sutharmika Sivagnamoorthy for a Premises Licence in respect of Newsmag, 13-15 Albert Road, Hoylake, 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 two local residents.  The representations related to noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour which was currently a problem within the vicinity of the premises.  The representation also related to noise nuisance currently being caused by the day to day operation of the premises.  Copies of the representations were available.

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

A local resident, Mrs Tucker, was also in attendance.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and that another local resident who had made a representation was unable to attend due to extenuating circumstances.

Mrs Tucker requested permission to submit a plan of her premises and Mr Jordan requested that a training programme be taken into consideration.  These documents were therefore accepted and considered by Members.

Mr Jordan addressed the Sub-Committee and outlined the application.  He advised Members that the application was for off sales only and that the Designated Premises Supervisor would deliver a comprehensive training programme to staff which he believed would uphold the licensing objectives.  He referred to the representations made by local residents and offered to meet with them to discuss any problems should the application be granted.  Mr Jordan referred to the issues raised within the representations and informed Members that the issues were not related to alcohol sales and that the applicant had no intentions of causing any further issues for local residents.

Mr Jordan, responded to questions from Mrs Tucker, Members of the Sub-Committee and Mr D K Abraham, Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee.

In response to questions, Mr Jordan explained that the applicant had successfully run a licensed premises in Moreton for two years.  Mr Jordan also confirmed that alcohol would only be stored in the storage room which had no outside access.

Mrs Tucker outlined the concerns and issues she had experienced whilst living above the premises.  She provided dates when she had been disturbed late at night by builders who had been refurbishing the premises and the measures she had taken to have her own premises soundproofed.  She informed Members that it was acceptable that the premises opened early, however, did not find it acceptable for the premises to open until 11 pm.  Mrs Tucker advised the Sub-Committee that noise could be heard in her accommodation during the hours that the premises were open.  Mrs Tucker suggested that an acceptable time  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment reported upon an application that had been received from Vigi Paskar for a Premises Licence in respect of Today’s Birkenhead, 65-67 Oxton Road, Birkenhead, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

The hours requested were outlined within the report.  The premises had previously traded as a Public House and had a Premises Licence that permitted the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises.

The applicant sought a substantial variation to the Premises Licence which would include the premises supplying alcohol for consumption off the premises only.

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 two local residents.  A petition signed by 388 residents had also been received.  The representations related to public nuisance and anti-social behaviour being caused by street drinkers within the vicinity of the premises and concerns that should the application be granted, public nuisance and anti-social behaviour would increase. 

A representation had also been received from Birkenhead and Tranmere Ward Councillors, Councillor Stapleton and Councillor Davies.  The representation supported the concerns expressed by local residents.

A petition containing 187 signatures signed by customers attending the premises had also been received in support of the application. 

Merseyside Police had submitted a representation which related to the fact that the premises were located in an area which had been highlighted as Wirral’s number one hotspot for anti-social behaviour.  Merseyside Police were concerned that should the application be granted, there would be an increase in alcohol related crime and disorder. Copies of all the representations and petitions were available.

The applicant attended the meeting together with Mr K Kirkbride, representative of Today’s Group, Mr R Baker, Agent, Professor R Light, Advocate, Mr V Paskar, Designated Premises Supervisor, Mr S Ramalingam, Manager and Mr A Kalamohan, Owner.

Sergeant S Barrigan was also in attendance together with Constable P Coley and Constable S Brett.

Councillor P Davies, Ward Councillor, was in attendance together with a local resident, Miss Jones.

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

Professor Light informed Members that Mr Baker had perused CCTV footage of the area due to the concerns raised regarding street drinkers and informed Members that this coverage did not show any evidence of street drinking.  Members accepted the oral evidence provided by Mr Baker.  The CCTV footage was available.

Professor Light addressed the Sub-Committee.  He referred to the two previous applications that had been refused regarding this premises and understood the concern that a third application had been made, however, he advised that the way the premises would be run would not undermine the licensing objectives.  He advised that the application would change the nature  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.