Resolved –

(1)  That Councillor A Hodson be appointed Chair to consider the matter in respect of Claremont Farm together with Councillors K Greaney and T Norbury.

(2)  That Councillor A Hodson be appointed Chair to consider the matter in respect of 625 together with Councillors A Jones and T Norbury.

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

The Director of Law and Governance reported upon an application that had been received from Claremont Farm Limited for a Premises Licence in respect of Claremont Farm, Old Clatterbridge Road, Bebington.

It was reported that the premises do not currently have a Premises Licence.  The hours applied for 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.  It was reported that following discussions with Merseyside Police, the applicant had agreed to include a number of conditions on the Premises Licence.

In respect of the application seven representations had been received from local residents who were objecting to the application.  The representations related to concerns of anti-social behaviour and public nuisance being caused to local residents should the application be granted.  Copies of all representations were available.

The applicant attended the meeting by way of video conference together with the Operations Manager, Claremont Farm Events.

Three local residents 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.

The applicant addressed the Panel and reported that he already held a Premises Licence for the building located on the farm.  He submitted that he had made this application to support his business due to the restrictions that had been put in place in respect of the pandemic and the granting of the application would provide an extended area to facilitate events.  He advised Members of the Panel that he intended to screen films to an outdoor audience who would wear headphones to avoid any noise disturbance and also to provide acoustic music and classical music nights.  He further advised that he had run these events over the last 12 months under Temporary Event Notices and during this time no complaints had been received either by himself or the Licensing Authority.  He believed it was no longer viable to continue applying for Temporary Event Notices. 

In response to questions from Members of the Licensing Panel, the applicant advised that all events would be ticket only and no admittance would be permitted on the door.  He explained that this system would enable strict control on the number of people able to attend events.  Members of the Panel were informed that sufficient parking was available on site to accommodate members of the public attending events.

In response to questions from local residents, the applicant gave assurances that if no disturbance had been experienced during the previous events there would be no disturbance from any future events should the application be granted.

Members of the Licensing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

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

The Director of Law and Governance reported upon an application that had been received from 625 Limited for a Premises Licence in respect of 625, 86 Banks Road, West Kirby.

It was reported that the premises do not currently have a Premises Licence.  The hours applied for 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. 

In respect of the application eleven representations had been received from local residents.  A petition containing 32 signatures had also been received.  The representations related to concerns of anti-social behaviour occurring within the vicinity of the premises and public nuisance being caused to local residents should the application be granted.

A representation had also been received from Ward Councillor Alison Wright who supported the representations submitted by local residents.  Copies of all representations were available.

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

Four local residents and Ward Councillor Alison Wright 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 and informed Members of the Licensing Panel that further to consideration of the representations made, the applicant had amended the application to reduce the hours applied for.

The applicant addressed Members of the Licensing Panel and advised that they lived in the area and had been involved in the running of a family business in West Kirby for 20 years.  They outlined the experience they had in running licensed premises and explained that the premises would be operated by father and son.  The applicant provided details of the business model for the premises which included a menu built around the seasons in order to provide the freshest local produce and highlighted the fact that it would be a family run restaurant bringing business to the local area.  They outlined the way in which they would operate the premises and explained that the premises was not permitted to operate as a bar/pub and that the main focus was food where customers would be seated at tables and table service would be provided.

The applicant informed Members of the Licensing Panel that there would be 45-50 covers in total with 16 of these being outside where customers could only drink alcohol when they were seated.  Members of the Panel were also informed that the tables outside would be no smoking.  They referred to the comprehensive conditions they would be willing to have attached to the Premises Licence should the application be granted which included CCTV, regular litter and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.