Agenda and minutes

Councillor Bardoe was proposed, seconded and duly elected Chairman of the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs Shanks who had fallen ill on the day of the meeting.  It was noted that Councillor Bardoe the Chairman of the Licensing Committee had stepped in as a substitute for Councillor Mrs Shanks

To receive declarations of interest from Members including the terms(s) of the Grant of Dispensation (if any) by the Audit Board or Managing Director.

There were no declarations of interests tendered by sub Committee Members.

It was noted that there were no urgent items for the sub Committee to consider.

The Chairman introduced Members present and called upon others present to identify themselves.  He then explained to the parties that the Sub-Committee intended to follow the procedure detailed in the Licensing Sub-Committee Rules of Procedure, circulated as item 6 to the agenda.

He also drew attention to the fact that a replacement Appendix C - Local Policy Conditions - to Item 6 had been circulated and asked that all present had a copy of the document.

The Licensing Manager, Ms Philpott, introduced her report on the application for a new license at this property and highlighted a number of features including the hours being requested the nature of the proposed trade and the conditions which had been proposed by the applicant and those agreed with the applicant with the Environmental Health Service.

The Chairman introduced Mr Gary Mallen who spoke in support of his application.

Mr Mallen explained that this was a new application but that he was particularly aware of the poor history of the premises insofar as the local residents were concerned.

This application was for an off and on sales licence with entertainment and late night refreshments, but the main thrust of the business was toward food sales.  He explained that the licenced trade had suffered tremendously in the past years and that numbers of pubs had been forced to close. 

He continued that he specialised in food led hostelries of which he had interest in a significant number, and went on that the food led trade was concentrated toward later evening demand and that was the reason for the late opening request in his application.

Mr Mallen stressed that he had no intention that this should become an anti - social establishment and that he was planning for a “good neighbour” approach in the surrounding area.  To this end he had recently held a public meeting with local residents to allay their fears over his application.  He had also consulted with the relevant statutory bodies regarding the application and had received encouraging comments from all concerned.

The Chairman thanked Mr Mallen and introduced Mrs Katie Davies to present the objections raised by local residents.

Mrs Davies firstly explained that the residents were not opposed to the pub being given a licence but objected strongly to the disruption and disturbance that it could bring.

She informed Members that this was a largely residential area with many young families, and that the proposed opening hours were of grave concern. 

It was feared that loud music, noisy patrons when leaving the premises and also when outside smoking, and cars coming and going would cause great disturbance to local people late at night.

While the recent public meeting had allayed a number of the residents’ fears, questions were still outstanding regarding the real need for the late opening and the disturbance this could cause.

Additionally residents were concerned at what might happen in future years, if a new less responsible owner was to take over the premises, as it was known that it was very difficult to remove licence provisions once they had been granted.

In response to a number of questions raised by the Sub Committee Mr Mallen made the following comments

·         It was necessary to have the extended hours for the license to fully cater for the demand which he knew would come

·         He had applied for a music and dancing licence as it was the only way that he could play background music  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.