Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Simon Carswell was proposed by Councillor Marcus Kravis and seconded by Councillor Robbins and duly appointed.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were none.

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

There were none.

To authorise the Chair of the meeting to agree the accuracy and sign the minutes as a correct record following circulation to the members of the Sub-Committee.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 December 2023 were proposed by  Councillor Marcus Kravis and Seconded by Councillor Tony Robbins as a correct record and carried unanimously.

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

The Chair announced that he would be changing the order of speaking so that the Applicant, would follow the Licensing Officer. The Responsible Authorities and Other Persons would follow in that order.

The Chair confirmed 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.

On the evidence before it, having considered all the circumstances, the Sub-Committee grants the application for a Premises Licence as applied for, to sell alcohol as an Off-Licence with opening hours, Monday – Sunday, 6am - 11pm and the supply of alcohol, Monday – Sunday 11am – 11pm, subject to the incorporation of the licence conditions agreed with Avon and Somerset Constabulary, set out in Appendix 5 to the Application.

The Licensing & Business Support Officer presented her report and highlighted the following:

The application sought to permit the sale of alcohol at the Premises as follows:-

·         The supply of alcohol be permitted from Monday to Sunday 11.00am to 11.00pm

·         The opening hours of the Premises to be Monday to Sunday: 6.00am to 11.00pm

·         Prior to the hearing, the Applicant and licensing representative from Avon and Somerset Constabulary agreed a set of conditions to those initially offered by the Applicant. These conditions were attached to the report as Appendix 5.

·         Representations received objected to the application were initially received from 35 residents living within the vicinity of the Premises. When the conditions were agreed with Avon and Somerset Constabulary, 9 Representees withdrew their applications. A copy of the representations received could be found at Appendix 3.

·         A copy of the application could be found at Appendix 1.

·         A copy of the plan for the premises could be found at Appendix 2.

·         A plan showing the radius area where a large proportion of the representations were received from could be found at Appendix 4.

·         Conditions to be attached to the licence, should it be granted were also agreed with the applicant and the Police.  These could be found at  Appendix 5.

·         A map showing the location of the premises could be found at Appendix 6.

·         No representation had been received from Environmental Protection or the Avon and Somerset Police who were the responsible authorities.

The issues raised by the Other Persons related to public nuisance both in terms of noise, litter, and street fouling, prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and prevention of harm to children.

The Applicant was then invited to make his submission and he stated that:

·         He had agreed to the amendments to his operating schedule and would reduce the hours for the sale of alcohol to reduce impact on the residents’ concerns and wanted to show a good relationship with the local community.

·         His intention was to run a good establishment which would be well managed. He agreed to install a surveillance system.

·         There would be regular staff training and his staff would be trained appropriately regarding Challenge 25 Policy and managing difficult customers.

·         All spirits would be located behind the till, and all other alcoholic beverages located on display would not obstruct the view of the staff.

·         He also ran the business next door and was aware of local trouble-makers as he was a member of the local pub watch scheme.

·         He would be willing to accept the comprehensive conditions which were agreed with the Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

The Licensing and Business Support Officer summed up stating that the sub-Committee must consider the provisions of the Licensing Act and the obligation to promote the four licensing objectives.

·         Prevention of Crime and Disorder

·         Public Safety

·         Prevention of Public Nuisance

·         Protection of Children from Harm

In it’s decision making process, the Licensing Sub-Committee must have regard to:

·         Licensing Act 2003, and subsequent amendments

·         The Statutory Guidance issued  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.