Resolved – That Councillor A Hodson be appointed Chair for this meeting.

Members of the Licensing Panel 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 Panel 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 Director of Law and Governance reported upon an application that had been received from Charlynne Blackburn to vary a Premises Licence in respect of Charlie’s Bar, 16 Bebington Road, New Ferry.

It was reported that the premises currently have a Premises Licence and the hours permitted under the current Premises Licence together with details of the application were set out 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. 

Further to discussions with Merseyside Police, the hours requested for licensable activities and hours open to the public had been reduced by the applicant to those set out within the report.  The applicant had also agreed to include a number of conditions proposed by Merseyside Police being placed on the Premises Licence should the application be granted.

In respect of the application a representation had been received from a local resident.  The representation related to concerns of crime and disorder and public nuisance being caused to local residents should the application be granted.  A copy of the representation was available.

The applicant attended the meeting together with her business partner.  Members were advised that a local resident who had made the representation had been given statutory notice in respect of the hearing but was not in attendance.

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

The Licensing Manager outlined the report.

The Chair advised that whilst the local resident who had made a representation was not in attendance at the meeting, Members of the Licensing Panel would consider their written representation when determining the application.

The applicant confirmed that further to discussions with Merseyside Police, the hours requested for licensable activities and hours open to the public had now been reduced to those set out within the report.  The applicant further advised that they were content to accept conditions proposed by Merseyside Police should the application be granted.

The applicant informed the Panel that she implemented strict measures at the premises in order to control the type of clientele who attended and was also proactive in ensuring that alcohol was not served to individuals who are intoxicated.  The applicant advised Members of the Licensing Panel that this was to prevent antisocial behaviour taking place within the premises.  The Panel were made aware that the regular customers who attended the premises lived locally and that the purpose of extending the hours was to enable them to enjoy a night out without having to leave early to go to other premises.

In response to the concerns raised by a local resident regarding noise disturbance to residents from customers leaving the premises in the early hours, Members of the Panel asked the applicant whether she operated her business beyond the hours permitted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.