Meeting documents

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (adopted July 2012), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests , Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also "prejudicial") in relation to any matter on the Agenda for this meeting. A DPI is defined in The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012 No. 1464) and Appendix 3 of the Council’s Code of Conduct.  A personal interest is defined in paragraph 2.8 of the Code and a prejudicial interest is defined in paragraph 2.9. In the interests of complete transparency, Members of the County Council, who are not also members of this committee, are encouraged to declare any interests they may have in any matters being discussed even though they may not be under any obligation to do so under any relevant code of conduct.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee noted the procedure to be followed when considering Licensing Applications under the Licensing Act 2003.  The Chairman introduced the members of the Sub-Committee and the Officers present. 

The Chairman confirmed the following:

·         That the Officer’s report relating to the case, the procedure to be adopted during the hearing and the documents which the authority is required to provide under the Regulations had been received by all Parties in advance of the meeting;

·         That no representations had been withdrawn.

The Licensing Officer presented the report as detailed on page 8 of the agenda and drew member’s attention to the following points:

·         An application had been received from Miss Iga Anna Bialoskoska for a premises licence to be granted under the Licensing Act 2003 for 7 Days, 3 Bond Street, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 1PE;

·         The licensable activities applied for included supply of alcohol – off sales only from 08:00 until 23:00 hours, Monday to Sunday, no seasonal variation or non-standard timings;

·         The requested hours premises open to the public were 08:00 until 23:00 hours, Monday to Sunday, no seasonal variations or non-standard timings;

·         The applicant had confirmed that notices were displayed at the premises for the requisite period: the Licensing Enforcement Officer had visited the premises and confirmed the notices were in place at the time of his visit.  A further notice was placed in the Western Gazette on 17 December 2015;

·         A relevant representation had been received from an Other Person which mainly concerned the potential issues of an increase in drunken and inappropriate behaviour in the area and an increase in litter;

·         Three further letters were also received that were not considered to be relevant representations as the grounds of ‘need’ for another licensed premises and ‘location’ were not grounds that could be taken into consideration as it was not within the Yeovil Cumulative Impact area.  Proximity to another licensed premises and commercial grounds are also not taken into consideration.  The persons were written to and advised accordingly;

·         The options available to the Sub-Committee;

·         The Right of Appeal as outlined in the agenda.

The applicant was invited to address the Sub-Committee.  She advised members that she wished to sell a range of products in the shop including alcohol.  She currently held a personal licence and had been appropriately trained in selling alcohol.  She said that she would ensure that the staff working in the shop would be properly trained.

In response to questions, members were informed of the following:

·         The applicant intended to sell  wines and spirits as well as beers including foreign beers;

·         The premises would operate a proof of age scheme and would not sell alcohol to intoxicated people.  It would be recorded in a book if alcohol was refused;

·         The three staff working in the shop also held personal licences and had experience of working in similar shops;

·         The applicant was planning to open the shop from 9.00am until 10.00pm, which would cater for the after work trade when other shops in the area were closed. The applicant had applied for 8.00am until 10.00pm to give her the option to open later over the Christmas period.

The Officer and Parties with the exception of the Legal Executive and Democratic Services Officer, attending in an advisory capacity only, withdrew from the meeting to allow the members of the Sub-Committee to consider their decision in private.

Members of the Sub-Committee considered their decision in private session and were mindful of the advice given to them during the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.