Agenda and minutes

It was noted that Councillor Chana was substituting for Councillor Gadsby and Councillor Surtees was substituting for Councillor Angold-Stephens.

(Director of Governance) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

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.

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

The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors Morgan, Mann and 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 introduced themselves to the Sub-Committee. In attendance on behalf of the application were Mr R Jordan, the applicant’s agent and Mr R Patel, the applicant.

(a)          The Application before the Sub-Committee

The Licensing Compliance Officer informed the Sub-Committee that an application had been made by Mr R Jordan acting on behalf of Mr R Patel, for a premises licence for 12 Nazeingbury Parade, Nazeing Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 2JL, which had been received on the 8 September 2015. The application was for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises. The application had also requested an extension to their hours extending up until 23.00 hours Monday to Sunday.

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

·         Essex Police;

·         Two representations from local residents with objections relating to Public Nuisance, Crime Disorder and Health and Safety; and

·         Representation from a local business in the same parade of shops.

(b)          Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

Mr Jordan informed the Sub-Committee that this application was for a new premises licence in Waltham Abbey. He advised that the applicant Mr R Patel had been trading for the last 21 years and the sale of alcohol would help with additional sales and improve his business. He advised that they had worked with Essex Police and the Licensing department and the following licensing guidelines and conditions would be adhered to:

(i)            CCTV had been installed as a condition stipulated by Essex Police;

(ii)           Challenge 25 to be implemented;

(iii)          Staff training for age restricted sales;

(iv)         Refusals of sales of alcohol to be logged in a register with full details;

(v)          Signage clearly displayed showing the licensing hours and advising that alcohol cannot be purchased outside of these hours; and

(vi)         Proxy sales to be challenged.

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

Councillor Morgan asked who would implement the training of the staff. Mr Jordan advised that it would be carried out by Mr Patel once he had obtained his personal licence.

Councillor Surtees asked what time was the premises currently open from and what time did it close and had there been any demand from customers for opening until 23.00hrs. Mr Jordan replied that the premises were currently open from 05.30hrs until 19.30hrs. They were open early because it was a newsagents. They had not done any survey with their customers on the sale of alcohol but were occasionally asked for alcohol. Mr Patel felt that with the sale of alcohol this would generate additional sales of items such as crisps and peanuts.

Councillor Mann asked if Mr Patel would consider keeping the outside of his premises clear of rubbish and cans. The applicant agreed that it would be acceptable to litter pick  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.