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 Chair announced that this meeting was being held virtually, was being webcast and a record would be retained.

The Director of Governance and Assurance reported upon an application that had been received from Sekander Ahmed for a Premises Licence in respect of 78 Westbourne Road, Birkenhead.

It was reported that the premises were not currently operating.

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.

In respect of the application two representations had been received from local residents who were objecting to the application.  The representations stated that alcohol related anti-social behaviour was currently a problem within the vicinity of the premises and that this problem would be exacerbated should the application be granted.  A petition containing 130 signatures had also been received which stated that the premises was situated within a Cumulative Impact area.  It was reported that the premises were situated in a road close to, but outside of the Cumulative Impact area. 

The Agent acting on behalf of the applicant had written to individuals who had submitted representations setting out the proposed conditions that they considered appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives and addressed the concerns raised in the representations.  The Agent had also set out how the premises would operate should the application be granted and had offered to discuss details of the application with the individuals concerned. 

The Agent had also submitted 12 representations signed by local residents who considered that the licensing objections would not be undermined should the application be granted.  Copies of all the representations and letters were available.

The applicant attended the meeting by way of video conference together with his agent.

A local resident also attended the meeting together with Councillor P Cleary, Ward Councillor by way of video conference.

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

The Licensing Manager outlined the report, advised that the application had been amended to reduce the hours for the sale by retail of alcohol and reported that the applicant’s agent had provided supporting documentation adding further conditions should the application be granted.

The applicant’s agent, Mr Rushton, addressed the Sub-Committee.  He set out the application and referred to the hours applied for.  He advised that further to the representations made these hours had now been reduced.  It was explained to Members of the Sub-Committee that the Premises Licence Holder would be responsible for the day to day running of the premises and that he would employ two to three members of staff depending upon the success of the business.  Members were informed that the applicant had experience of running licensed premises previously, that he lives in the locality and owns a number of local businesses and therefore knows the community. 

Mr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

The Chair announced that this meeting was being held virtually, was being webcast and a record would be retained.

The Director of Governance and Assurance reported upon an application that had been received from Neil Quinn to vary a Premises Licence in respect of Mississippi’s, 4 Lancelyn Court Precinct, Spital Road, Bebington.

It was reported that the premises currently have a Premises Licence and the permitted hours were set out within the report.  The application to vary the Premises Licence was to allow the sale of alcohol for consumption both ‘on’ and ‘off’ the premises and to increase the licensed area to include the front outside area of the premises.

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.

In respect of the application three representations had been received from local residents.  The representations related to noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour which they stated was currently caused by customers standing outside the Premises.  The representations made considered that this would be exacerbated should customers be permitted to also consume alcohol in the area immediately outside the premises.  Copies of the representations were available.

The applicant attended the meeting by way of video conference together with a co-owner of the business.

A local resident also attended the meeting by way of video conference.

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

The Licensing Manager outlined the report.

Mr Houghton, co-owner of the business addressed the Sub-Committee and advised that he and his partner had taken over the business five years ago.  He suggested that there may have been some issues in respect of the management of the premises by previous owners, however, he informed the Sub-Committee that the premises was currently run responsibly and that no issues had been raised in respect of the management of the premises from any regulatory authority. 

Mr Houghton reported that the application to vary the Premises Licence had been made in order to sustain the business in response to the current restrictions placed upon the operation of the business that had been brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.  He advised that the owners of the business live locally and that there was no intention to cause any conflict with other residents in the locality.  He informed Members of the Sub-Committee that he estimated the area proposed within the application would allow approximately two or three tables to be placed directly outside the front of the premises.  He also advised that a barrier could be put in place to cordon off the area which could take the form of roping or planters.

In response to questions from the local resident and Members of the Sub-Committee, Mr Houghton advised that he wished the outside area to be used up  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.