Agenda and minutes

Councillor Jim Porter was elected as Chair.

The Chair introduced the Members of the Sub-Committee and Officers in attendance and asked the Applicant and Interested parties to introduce themselves at the appropriate time.

He then explained that following the presentation of the officer’s report, the Applicant would have an opportunity to present their case followed by the interested parties. There would be an opportunity for questions following each of the above stages before each party had an opportunity to sum up with the Applicant being last to speak. Members of the Sub-Committee would then withdraw to consider their decision.

In addition to the Members of the Sub-Committee and Council officers in attendance the following were present:

Applicant’s Agent and Representative

Mr Anil Bhawsar                             

Interested Parties:-

Councillor David Brown and Mrs Brown

Councillor Jim Beeley

Councillor Declan Wilson

County Councillor Bill Crowther

Mr Mark Carter

Mr Peter Quinnell

Ms Pat Bailey

Mr Stuart Bonser

Mr Thomas Llewellyn

Miss M Shute

Mr and Mrs Bolton

Ms Sharon Coldrick

Ms Mel Wild

Ms Sharon Roberts

Ms Shirley Davies

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Group Manager, Environmental Health and Regulatory Services,

The Licensing and Enforcement Officer presented the report on an application for a new premises licence made under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 for 102 Insley Gardens, Hucclecote, Gloucester GL4 4BS, received from Mrs Rajeenadevi Raventherakumar. The application was for the retail sale of alcohol from a new 'convenience' type store at the above address and was made in accordance with Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The convenience store was in a small parade of retail units comprising two salons and a gym. The premises were formerly a shop and later used as offices.  Members were advised there are no planning issues with the site.

The Applicant requested the following licensable activity:

·           The supply of alcohol (Section M of the Operating Schedule) for consumption off the premises from 06:00 to 22:00 hours seven days a week.

The Applicant had set out in Section P of the Operating Schedule the measures proposed to be taken to promote the four licensing objectives if the application was accepted.

It was noted that should the application be accepted, the measures in the Operating Schedule would become properly constructed conditions to be applied to the licence.

Members were advised that the Gloucestershire Constabulary Licensing Unit had, proposed that the following conditions should be added to the licence and this had been agreed by the Applicant.

            1.    All spirits to be kept behind the counter.

            2.    The CCTV system shall be maintained in good working order, shall record at all times the premises are open and recordings shall be kept for a minimum of 14 days and be provided on DVD to officers of the Council, Trading Standards and the police on request.

            3.    The Challenge 21 (or equivalent scheme) shall be adopted so that any customer attempting to purchase alcoholic liquor who appears to be under the age of 21 shall be asked for an accredited photographic proof of their age (e.g. passport, photo driving licence or a PASS approved card) and that a sale shall not be made unless this evidence is produced.  This will only be treated as a breach where the customer subsequently turns out to be under 18 years of age.

There were no representations from the other Responsible Authorities.

Objections had been received from residents in neighbouring streets to the convenience store and these were attached to the report.  Some of those residents were present as Interested Parties with the intention of speaking at the appropriate time.

The Licensing and Enforcement Officer reminded the Sub-Committee that representations needed to be relevant and not vexatious or frivolous.  In other words, they had to relate to the proposed licensable activity and its likely effect on at least one of the licensing objectives. They should not be borne out of malice or dispute and had to be serious.

It was noted that residents’ concerns with regard to the licensing objectives related amongst other things, to a perceived propensity for anti social behaviour and under-age drinking, should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.