Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct.

The Sub-Committee noted the agreed procedure for the conduct of business, and the terms of reference.

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

Introduction

The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors P Smith, A Mitchell and M Sartin.  The Chairman welcomed the applicant and her agent and requested that they introduce themselves to the Sub-Committee.  In attendance in support of the application were Mr C Mitchener of Licensing Solutions, the applicant’s agent and Mrs N Unadkat, the applicant.  There were no objectors in attendance.  The Chairman introduced the members and officers present and outlined the procedure that would be followed for the determination of the application.

Application before the Sub-Committee

The Legal Officer informed the Sub-Committee that the application sought a new premises licence for Abbey News, 9 Hillhouse, Waltham Abbey.  The application sought permission for alcohol to be supplied and the premises to be open from 0630 to 2200 Monday to Sunday.

The Sub-Committee were advised that following receipt of the application, the Council had received representations from:

(a)        Essex Police;

(b)        Essex County Fire and Rescue Service;

(c)        Essex County Council Children’s Safeguarding Service;

(d)        one local resident; and

(e)        one business in the locality.

Members were informed that in relation to the representations made by Essex Police, the applicant’s agent had confirmed that in Section P of the application form reference should have been made to “Challenge 25” and that CCTV was installed inside the premises.

Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

Mr Mitchener, the applicant’s agent informed the Sub-Committee that the applicant’s business had been well established for some seven years and was operated by her with support from her husband.  He advised that the application sought permission for alcohol to be supplied and the premises to be open from 0630 to 2200 Monday to Sunday.

Mr Mitchener confirmed that “Challenge 25” policy would be implemented within the premises.  He pointed out that there had been no adverse comments from the relevant authorities, particularly Essex Police and Essex County Council Children’s Safeguarding Service.

He emphasised that for representations to bear weight they had to relate to licensing objectives and have substance.  He contrasted the lack of adverse comments from the relevant authorities with the representations which had been made by a local resident and another local business which had suggested that if the licence was granted it would create problems in the area.  He drew attention to the relationship between the applicant’s business and that of the business which had made representations.  He pointed out that the business making representations had referred to the likely negative impact on their business, the number of off licences already in Waltham Abbey and the possibility of their rent being increased.  Mr Mitchener submitted that if there were already antisocial behaviour problems in the locality as a result of the sale of alcohol these could be due to sales from the business making adverse comments about the application before the Sub-Committee.

Mr Mitchener stated that anyone working at the premises would be trained and required to take a written test which would be repeated at three monthly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

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.