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 Managing Director for Delivery reported upon an application that had been received from Joseph Kastanthanaraj for a Premises Licence in respect of Premier Off Licence, 55 Old Chester Road, Tranmere, under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

It was reported that these premises previously held a Premises Licence but that this had been surrendered. 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 application be granted.

Representations had been received from Merseyside Police and the proprietor of a local business.

The representations related to concerns of the level of reported anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder within the vicinity of the premises.  Copies of the representations were available.

The applicant’s representative, Mr Green attended the meeting together with the applicant’s brother.

Geoff Lee, Police Licensing attended the meeting.  Mr Sittampalam was also in attendance who was objecting to the application.

The Licensing Manager confirmed that all documentation had been sent and received and that the applicant had given Mr Green authority to speak on his behalf.

Mr Green addressed the Sub-Committee and advised Members that the premises had previously held a licence operating with the same hours requested and that this Licence had been surrendered earlier this year without the opportunity for it to be transferred to the current applicant.  Mr Green stated that the applicant would be willing to accept all the conditions proposed by Merseyside Police.  Members heard that the shop had operated under Temporary Event Notices since the application had been made.  Mr Green informed Members that during times that alcohol could not be sold at the premises, the shop did not open for business as it could not function without a Premises Licence.  Members were advised that the percentage sale of alcohol at these premises would constitute approximately 25%.   Mr Green reported that there would be at least two members of staff working in the premises at any one time and that all persons working in the premises would hold a Personal Licence. 

Mr Green responded to questions from Members of the Sub-Committee, Mr Sittampalam and Mr D K Abraham, Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee.

Mr G Lee, Police Licensing advised Members that Merseyside Police did not object to the granting of the application but that they were seeking a number of conditions to be applied to the Licence which included the implementation of a Challenge 25 Policy, the use of till prompts to prevent the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 18 years as well as comprehensive training and guidance to be provided to staff working at the premises in respect of the responsible sale of alcohol, CCTV and no sales of strong beers, ciders or lager.

Mr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.