The Licensing Manager introduced the report of the Director of Law and Corporate Services to consider an application to vary a Premises Licence under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003. The application was made by Ridge Bar and Diner Limited and related to the premises known as The Sandridge, 1 Rowson Street, New Brighton, CH45 5AR. The Licensing Manager reported that the applicant originally requested the sale of alcohol until 02:00, seven days a week, and Late Night Refreshment and opening hours until 03:00, seven days a week. Following discussions with Merseyside Police, the applicant agreed to amend their application to request a variation to permit the sale of alcohol and late night refreshment to 2:00am on Friday and Saturday, and hours open to the public to 2:30am on Friday and Saturday. Following the agreement to amend the application in respect of the standard hours applied for by the applicant, Merseyside Police were content for the premises to trade until 02:00 - Sunday and Monday for each May Day Bank Holiday, Spring/Whitsun Bank Holiday and August Bank holiday weekend Sunday and Monday for the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Years Eve. It was further reported that, following further discussions with Merseyside Police during the consultation period, the applicant agreed to have the several conditions placed on the Premises Licence should the application be granted including conditions relating to CCTV, staff training, retention of an incident log, and the operation of a Challenge 25 policy.

The applicant was invited to make a representation to the Sub-Committee. The applicant reported that the reason they were applying to vary the premises licence was to allow existing customers to remain in the premises beyond their existing closing times. It was the submission of the applicant that customers were currently leaving their premises to drink at a nearby premises and that if their premises were permitted to remain open longer this would not happen and customers would continue to spend money in their premises. It was further submitted by the applicant that customers leaving their premises between 00:00 and 01:00 and then leaving the nearby premises between 02:00 and 03:00 was resulting in individuals passing local residential properties on two separate occasions. The applicant advised the Sub-Committee that the granting of the application to vary the closing hours of their premises would result in customers remaining on the premises and therefore mitigating any nuisance caused to local residents. The Sub-Committee were informed by the applicant that they had a good working relationship with environmental health who had given advice relating to measures designed to address noise emanating from the property. It was the submission of the applicant that going forward they wanted to work with local residents to address the concerns. It was highlighted by the applicant that there was no application to extend the hours for live and recorded music.

The Sub-Committee then heard submissions on behalf of local residents. Representatives of local residents reported that the current operation of the premises was causing residents to be disturbed by noise emanating from the premises when music was being played, in particular karaoke which it was reported was taking place beyond the hours permitted by the current premises licence. The Sub-Committee were also informed that nuisance was caused by caused by customers drinking outside the premises when going outside to the front of the premises to smoke. The Sub-Committee were advised of the concerns of local residents that they would be further disturbed by customers leaving the premises at a later hour than currently should the application be granted and that residents had been disturbed by noise, arguments and fighting outside the premises on a number of occasions. Whilst residents had come to accept a level of noise disturbance, concerns were raised about music played beyond 23:30 and the impact of this on young children and families in the vicinity of the premises. It was the submission of local residents that the premises was not being managed effectively to prevent nuisance being caused to them by customers of the premises.

The Sub-Committee heard a submission from a Ward Councillor who asked that the following factors be taken into account when determining the application: that the premises was located in an area that was densely populated with houses, that residents were disturbed by taxis arriving late at night at the premises, by people leaving the premises late at night, by customers smoking and drinking at the front of the premises and by music when karaoke took place on the premises. The Ward Councillor also asked the Panel to take into consideration the location of supported living accommodation close to the premises.

In determining the application, Members gave careful consideration to the submissions made by the applicant and the representations made by local residents and the Ward Councillor both in writing and at the Hearing. In considering the application, the Sub-Committee had regard to the Council’s Licensing policy when considering the hours of licensed premises which were in close proximity to residential accommodation.  

Resolved – That the application be refused.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services has approved the novation of an interim contract to Forest Tree Surgery and Grounds Maintenance Ltd for a duration of 12 months at a cost of up to £235,016 per year for the purpose of supplying weed control services on the public highway areas within the 22 Wards of Wirral.

As detailed in the report.

Not for Publication by virtue of by virtue of paragraph(s) 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

The Director of Neighbourhood Services has agreed to:

1.  endorse the competitive tendering exercise that is outlined in paragraph 3 of the attached report; and

2.  award the contract for road lines, traffic studs, and minor works within Wirral to L&R Roadlines Ltd, company registration number 01803280,as the most economically advantageous tenderer for an estimated contract value of £2,400,000 for a term of 4 years.

The recommendation to jointly procure food waste vehicles with the Liverpool City Region, was agreed at the Environment, Climate Emergency & Transport Committee on the 11 March 2025.  The required decision is now for Wirral Council to award the contract to the successful bidder, Faun.  Making the decision now and placing the order will ensure the Council receives the food waste vehicles in time for the food waste contract variation order with Biffa to commence on time in April 2026. Whilst the Liverpool City Region Partnership has all procured in concert, it is for each of the individual authorities to place their own individual orders the Liverpool City Region is a collection of authorities and not a legally constituted Partnership. Whilst members have been made aware of the need for this decision in March 2025, officers overlooked the need to ensure that this matter was place on the Council’s Forward Plan.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services has decided to award of a contract via NEPO  Purchase of HGV and Specialist Vehicles Framework (NEPO224): Lot 2. for the delivery of 15 twelve tonne DAF XB210 FZUK food waste vehicles, to FAUN Zoeller (UK) Limited at a total cost of £2,064,046.00.

The recommendation to jointly procure food waste vehicles with the Liverpool City Region, was agreed at ECET committee on the 11 March 2025.  The required decision is now for Wirral Council to award the contract to the successful bidder, Faun.  Making the decision now and placing the order will ensure the Council receives the food waste vehicles in time for the food waste contract variation order with Biffa to commence on time in April 2026. Whilst the Liverpool City Region Partnership has all procured in concert, it is for each of the individual authorities to place their own individual orders the Liverpool City Region is a collection of authorities and not a legally constituted Partnership. Whilst members have been made aware of the need for this decision in March 2025, due to the urgent need for a contract to be placed and the fact that there is no meeting of the ECET committee due to take place until June 2025 this decision is being taken by the Director of Neighbourhoods in accordance with paragraph 10 of Part 3 Section C of the Council’s Constitution.

A variation of the waste collection services provided under the contract with Biffa Waste Services Ltd will enable the Council to discharge its duty to collect household and non-household food waste from 2026 The decision will enable the purchase of the required food waste vehicles in time by April 2026 to enable the food waste collection service to be provided 

The Liverpool City Region Waste & Resources Partnership decided to jointly procure the vehicles via NEPO Purchase of HGV and Specialist Vehicles Framework (NEPO224): Lot 2. Prices were based on a range of vehicle specs & requirements for each of the 6 Local Authority Partners with individual call-off/supply contracts to meet their specific requirements.

The recommendations are made further to legal advice from the Monitoring Officer and the Section 151 Officer has confirmed that they do not incur unlawful expenditure. They are also compliant with equality legislation and an equality analysis and impact assessment has been completed. The recommendations reflect the core principles of good governance set out in the Council’s Code of Corporate Governance.

This decision is being taken by the Director of Neighbourhoods in accordance with paragraph 10 of Part 3 Section C of the Council’s Constitution after consultation with the Chair the relevant Committee, and that of both the Head of Paid Service and the Monitoring Officer due to the urgent need for a contract to be placed and the fact that there is no meeting of the ECET committee due to take place until June 2025.