Agenda and minutes

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

The Sub-Committee noted the agreed procedure for the conduct of business.

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

This item had been brought forward on the agenda because the individual concerned with Agenda Item 5 had not yet arrived. The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors M Sartin, A Boyce and B Surtees. 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 application were Mr R Botkai, solicitor and Mr K Hourihan, Area Manager for Rontec Watford Ltd, the company owning the premises in question.

In attendance as objectors were a number of people, 6 of whom indicated that they would like to speak. It was confirmed that they had made written representations to the Council in regard to this application, the objectors were as follows:

·         Mr D Linnell, Loughton Resident’s Association (LRA);

·         Mr D Wilding, resident living local to the application site;

·         Mrs E Walsh, Town Clerk for Loughton Town Council;

·         Mr J Hurley, resident living local to the application site;

·         Ms R May, resident who lived opposite to the application site; and

·         Mr White, resident living local to the application site.

(a)          The Application before the Sub-Committee

The Licensing Officer, Mrs N Clark, introduced the application. The application concerned had been received at the District Council on 2 July 2015 and was made by Rontec Watford Ltd for a variation to the premises licence for Church Hill Service Station, 117 Church Hill, Loughton IG10 1QR. The variation was to extend the hours of alcohol sale to 24 hours daily, adding late night refreshments from 23:00 hours to 05:00 hours, 7 days a week. In addition, the applicants were seeking to remove any embedded restrictions in the premises licence and remove all current conditions contained in Annex 2 of the licence and instead include in Annex 2 the conditions in boxes (b) to (e) of Section M of the operating schedule.

It was noted that the responsible authorities had received a copy of the application, it had been advertised at the premises, in the local newspaper and all residencies and businesses within 150 metres radius of the premises had been individually consulted.

The authority had received a response from Essex Fire and Rescue Service who had no objections plus one letter of support from a local resident. In addition there were 48 objections received, one from Essex Police who had subsequently withdrawn their objection on provision that a change in the conditions be made, and an objection from Loughton Town Council. The remaining 46 objections were from local residents.

(b)          Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

Mr R Botkai outlined the application. This was a variation of a premises licence, sale of alcohol being already permitted from 6.00a.m. to 11.00p.m., the Licensing Act allowed 24 hour sale of alcohol. Unless there was a good reason otherwise, trading hours could be matched to licensing hours.

In cases where a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

(Director of Neighbourhoods) To consider the attached report.

The holder of the Private Hire Driver’s Licence which was to be discussed, Mr Seeley, failed to attend the meeting. The Members therefore decided to defer this item.

RESOLVED:

That the item concerning the Current Private Hire Driver’s Licence in regard to Mr Seeley be deferred to the next meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee.