Agenda item

(Director of Neighbourhoods) To consider the attached report and documents.

The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors Morgan, Dorrell and Lion.

The Chairman introduced the Members and Officers present and outlined the procedure that would be followed for the determination of the application. The Chairman welcomed the participants and requested that they introduce themselves to the Sub-committee. In attendance on behalf of the applicant was Mrs G Toz, their Agent. Also present was Peter Jones the Essex Police, Epping and Brentwood Licensing Officer.

(a)          The application before the Sub-committee

The Licensing Compliance Officer, Mrs N Clark, introduced the application. The application had been made by Murat Eser for a new premises licence for Maxx Off Licence. The application was for the sale of alcohol Monday to Sunday, initially from 9.00 to 00.00 but subsequently reduced down to 9.00 to 22.30.

The responsible authorities had received a copy of the application and it was also advertised at the premises and in a local newspaper. All residences and businesses within 150 meters radius of the premises were individually consulted.

Originally 5 objections had been received including one from the Police and one from the ward Councillor. Subsequently the police, ward councillor and one resident had withdrawn their objections. The Police had done so on the proviso that conditions they suggested were applied; that is the opening hours were reduced to 9.00 to 22.30 and that the installation of a CCTV system be installed. The CCTV system would cover the internal and external of the premises; it would cover all the entry and exit points enabling full frontal identification of every person entering in any light condition. The CCTV system to continually record whilst the premises is open and all recordings to be kept in an unedited form for a period of no less than 28 days; and that a Personal Licence holder would be at the premises at all times alcohol was available for sale.

(b)          Presentation of the Applicants Case

Mrs Toz commented that the applicant had agreed to the Police suggested conditions who had then withdrawn their objections. The applicants wanted to operate as quietly as possible and not create any nuisance in the area.

(c)          Questions for the Applicant from the Sub-Committee

The Chairman asked who would be running the premises and was told that it would be Ms Olgac. In response to follow up questions the chairman was told that she did not run any other premises and that there would always be more than one member of staff there on any day.

(d)          Questions for the Applicant from the Objectors

No objectors were present. Mr Jones from Essex Police confirmed that he had withdrawn his objections now that the applicant had agreed to his conditions.

(e)          Closing statement from the Applicant

Mrs Toz had nothing to add to her previous statement, noting that they accepted all the conditions proposed by Mr Jones of the Essex Police, Epping and Brentwood Licensing Officer.

(f)           Consideration of the Application by the  Sub-Committee

The Sub-committee asked the public and officers to withdraw from the chamber while they considered the application in private. During their deliberations the Sub-committee received no further advice from the officers present.

RESOLVED:

That the application for a premises licence for Maxx Off Licence, 146D High Street, Epping CM16 4AG be granted subject to the conditions consistent with the operating schedule together with those that have been agreed with Essex Police, namely:

1.    That the hours of operation be reduced to 09.00 to 22.30 hours;

2.    The premises shall install and maintain a comprehensive CCTV system covering the internal and external of the premises. It will also cover all entry and exit points enabling full frontal identification of every person entering in any light condition.

3.    The CCTV system would continually record whilst the premises was open to the public and during all times when customers remain on the premises.

4.    All recordings to be kept in an unedited format for a period of not less than 28 days with time and date stamping.

5.    Recordings shall be made available immediately upon lawful request of Essex Police or other Responsible Authority. Download or export of CCTV should be in the native file format with the native player.

6.    A staff member from the premises who was conversant with the operation of the CCTV system shall be available at all times when the premises are open to the public. This staff member must be able to show Essex Police or other Responsible Authority recent data or footage with the absolute minimum of delay.

7.    A Personal Licence Holder will be on the premises at all times alcohol was available for sale.

The Licensing Sub-committee considered that these were appropriate and necessary for the promotion of the licensing objectives.