Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made 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 Neighbourhoods) To consider the attached report.

The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors R Morgan, A Boyce and Mrs P Smith. The Chairman welcomed the participants and requested that they introduce themselves to the Sub-Committee. In attendance on behalf of the application was Mr S Mathialagan, the applicant. Also in attendance was Mr P Jones, Epping and Brentwood Licensing Officer, Licensing Department, Epping Police Station, Essex Police. There were no objectors present. The Chairman introduced the Members and officers present and outlined the procedure that would be followed for the determination of the application.

The Licensing Officer, Miss S Kitts, informed the Sub-Committee that the District Council had received an application by Mr S Mathialagan for a premises variation for Abridge Stores, 24-25 Fir Trees, Abridge, Essex RM4 1DG. The application was originally for the sale by retail of alcohol for consumption off the premises only, Monday to Sunday 06:00 hours to 00:00 hours. The application had gone out for consultation and the responsible authorities had been notified. The authority had received a representation from Essex Police requesting that the licensing hours in the application should be reduced and eight representations of objection, one of which came from Lambourne Parish Council.

(a)  Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

The applicant advised the Sub-Committee that he had altered his application so that the new conditions sought were 08:00 hours to 23:00 hours Monday to Sunday. The existing licence allowed him to sell alcohol till 22:00 hours, he felt that he needed the extra hour of trading.

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

Councillor Mrs P Smith asked the applicant to describe the area around his premises. The applicant advised that the area was mostly residential with a Post Office. Councillor Mrs P Smith asked if there were any restrictions on his premises of a planning nature. The applicant replied that there were none.

(c)  Questions for the Applicant from the Objectors

There were no questions.

(d)  Presentation of the Objector’s Case

Mr P Jones, Essex Police, stated that the high density residential area around the premises in question meant that the later opening time would be detrimental to local people. There was potential for troublesome youths to congregate outside these premises, as this had occurred outside similar places. He felt that hours of 08:00 – 23:00 were more suitable. The Chairman asked if there were any current problems with this particular establishment. Mr P Jones replied that there were no problems associated with this place but in the area. The Chairman asked if the problems were alcohol related, Mr P Jones said not necessarily. He added that he was satisfied with a revised condition of 08:00 – 23:00 hours for the sale of alcohol.

(e)  Closing Statement from the Applicant

The applicant stated that he agreed with the revised proposed conditions, as stated by the police representative.

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

The Sub-Committee asked the applicant, police representative and officers to leave the chamber so that they could consider  ...  view the full minutes text for item 157.

(Director of Neighbourhoods) To consider the attached report.

The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors R Morgan, A Boyce and Mrs P Smith. The Chairman welcomed the participants and requested that they introduce themselves to the Sub-Committee. In attendance on behalf of the application was Mr S Mathialagan, the applicant. Also in attendance was Mr P Jones, Epping and Brentwood Licensing Officer, Licensing Department, Epping Police Station, Essex Police. There were no objectors present. The Chairman introduced the members and officers present and outlined the procedure that would be followed for the determination of the application.

The Licensing Officer Ms S Kitts, informed the Sub-Committee that the District Council had received an application by Messrs M and S Mathialagan for a premises variation regarding the White House, Market Place, Abridge, Essex RM4 1UA. The application was for the variation of the sale by retail of alcohol for consumption off the premises only during Monday to Sunday 06:00 hours to 23:30 hours. The application had gone out for consultation and the responsible authorities had been notified. The authority had received a representation from Essex Police requesting that the licensing hours in the application should be reduced and two objections from a local resident and Lambourne Parish Council.

(a)  Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

The applicant advised the Sub-Committee that he had altered his application so that the new conditions sought were 08:00 hours to 23:00 hours Monday to Sunday. The existing licence conditions allowed the sale of alcohol 08:00 hours to 21:00 hours Monday to Sunday.

The Chairman asked the police representative about his original objections. He advised that he would withdraw these objections as the applicant had agreed to change his application request and reduce the proposed hours.

There were no questions for the applicant from the Sub-Committee.

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

The Sub-Committee asked the applicant, police representative and licensing officers to leave the chamber so that they could consider the application. They received no advice from officers.

RESOLVED:

That the application for a premises variation in regard to the White House, Market Place, Abridge, Essex RM4 1UA be granted subject to the following amendment:

(1)  That the sale by retail of alcohol for consumption off the premises only be permitted from Monday to Sunday 08:00 hours to 23:00 hours.