Agenda and minutes

(Director of Corporate Support Services) To consider the attached report.

The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors L Leonard, P Keska and P Spencer. The Chairman welcomed the participants and requested that they introduce themselves to the Sub-Committee. In attendance on behalf of the application were Ms E Guler, the applicant’s solicitor and Mr Hazar, the applicant. In attendance objecting to the premises was a resident Mr Emery, Councillor Kane, Peter Jones from the Essex Police and two members of the public. The Chairman then introduced the Members and Officers present, and outlined the procedure that would be followed for the determination of the application.

The Application before the Sub-Committee

The Legal Officer informed the Sub-Committee that a variation of a premises licence for Waltham Abbey Express, 1 Farm Hill Road, Waltham Abbey had been received along with representations from interested parties. The variation had requested permission to:

·                     To supply alcohol from 09:00 to 03:00 Monday to Sunday but following representations from the police the applicant submitted the reduced hours;

·                     To supply alcohol from 09:00 to 01:00 Monday to Thursday,

·                     To supply alcohol from 09:00 to 02:00 Friday and Saturday; and

·                     To supply alcohol from 09:00 to 00:00 Sunday.

Following receipt of the application, the Council had received representations from:

·                     Essex Police;

·                     Councillor Kane;

·                     Six representations from local residents;

·                     Essex County Fire & Rescue Service;

·                     Children’s Safeguarding Service; and

·                     Essex County Council Trading Standards.

Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

Ms Guler advised the committee that the applicant wished to increase his licensing hours from 00:00, Monday to Sunday to 01:00 Monday to Thursday, 02:00 Friday and Saturday and 00:00 on Sunday.

Ms Guler advised the sub-committee that objections regarding litter, noise, anti social behaviour and parking could not all be attributed to the off license, as a lot of the customers were local residents. There were also other establishments in the near vicinity that opened later than the off license and served alcohol.

The applicant had owned the off license since July 2012 and was an experience business man. He had fitted eight cameras in and round the premises, recording and holding the footage for 31 days. The applicant would require proof of age for customers and refuse any serve inebriated people requesting alcohol. Ms Guler advised the sub-committee that customers who used the off license also purchased other essential items such as milk, bread, gas and electric. In response to the objectors complaints Ms Guler stated that the off license could not be held responsible for the anti-social behaviour that residents experienced, although the applicant had reduced the licensing hours applied for after consultation with the Police.

Questions for the Applicant from the Sub-Committee

Councillor Keska asked how many staff was employed. The applicant advised that he and another part time member of staff worked in the premises. Councillor Keska enquired how the alcohol would be covered when it was not for sale and the shop was open. The applicant advised he would re-design the shop if it was required.

Questions from Objectors to the Applicant

Mr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

The Sub-committee noted that there were no items of business on the agenda that necessitated the exclusion of the public and press from the meeting.