Resolved - That Councillor S Niblock 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 or non pecuniary interests in connection with any application on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

No such declarations were made.

This matter was adjourned to a future date prior to the hearing.

The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment reported upon an application that had been received from Barracuda Inns Limited to vary a Premises Licence in respect of The Chronicle, Church Road, Bebington, 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.

Representations had been received from 61 local residents.  Three separate petitions had also been received from residents of Ormerod Court, The Weind and Heathdale Manor.  A representation had also been received from Church Farm Owners Association.  The representations and petition related to concerns that the existing problems of anti-social behaviour and public nuisance caused by customers of the premises together with nuisance from loud music would continue until a later hour if the application was granted.

A representation had also been received from Bebington Ward Councillor, Jerry Williams, who supported the concerns expressed by local residents.  Copies of the representations and petition were available.

The Designated Premises Supervisor attended the meeting together with the Area Manager of Barracuda Inns Limited and their legal representative, Mr Taylor.

Councillors Jerry Williams and Cherry Povall also made representations at the meeting together with two of the local residents who were present.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and confirmed that Councillor Povall had been requested to speak on behalf of one of the local residents who had provided a written representation.

Mr Taylor addressed the Sub-Committee and advised that the application was for an extension of 90 minutes on Fridays and Saturdays.  He informed Members that no representations had been received from any of the Responsible Authorities and that discussions had taken place with Merseyside Police prior to the application having been made.  He reported that no complaints had been made to the premises during the year it had been owned by Barracuda and that the reason that the application had been made was due to customer demand.  He advised that the current Designated Premises Supervisor had 23 years’ experience in the licensing trade.  Mr Taylor proposed that a Challenge 25 Policy could be implemented, doorstaff could remain at the premises until all customers had dispersed and a condition could be imposed stating that no drinks would be permitted to be taken outside after 10 pm if the application to vary the Premises Licence was granted.

Mr Taylor, the Area Manager and Designated Premises Supervisor responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, Mr A Bayatti, Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee and local residents.

Councillor Povall addressed the Sub-Committee and advised that she opposed the application on behalf of residents.  She referred to the representations made by local residents advising that they suffered from noise and anti-social behaviour in the area and requested that the application be refused.

Councillor Williams raised his concerns in respect of anti-social behaviour  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.