Agenda and minutes

The nomination of Councillor Ray Heffer as Chairman for the municipal year 2021/22 was moved by Councillor Rose Bowler and seconded by Councillor Rita Turner.

RESOLVED that Councillor Ray Heffer be appointed Chairman of Licensing & Gambling Acts Sub Committee for the municipal year 2021/22.

No apologies for absence were received.

To note any urgent items of business which the Chairman has consented to being considered under the provisions of Section 100(B) 4(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business to be considered at the meeting.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a)  any business on the agenda

b)  any urgent additional items to be considered

c)  any matters arising out of those items

and if appropriate, withdraw from the meeting at the relevant time.

There were no declarations made at the meeting.

The applicant (Ms Rachel Chandrakumar) attended the meeting for Committee to determine whether or not to grant an application for a Premises Licence.

The applicant was accompanied by her husband (Mr Subramaniam Chandrakumar) and her solicitor (Mrs Karen Cochrane).

Also in attendance was Mr Christopher Pienaar to present his submitted representation against the application as detailed in Appendix 5 of the report.

The Licensing and Enforcement Officer presented the report.

The Hearing Procedure (Licensing Act 2003 / Gambling Act 2005) was followed.

In providing more detail on the applicant and her husband, Mrs Karen Cochrane informed the Committee that they both had years of experience of running licensed premises and currently ran a post office together in Swanwick. Regarding some of the points in the representation, Mrs Cochrane stated that the premises would include CCTV cameras and alcohol related anti-social behaviour was something they had already addressed at their other licensed premises.

In presenting the representation against the application, Mr Christopher Pienaar explained that 45 residents local to the property had signed a petition because of concerns about public nuisance, public safety, crime and disorder, parking, protection of children and necessity. He stated that many of these residents had resided in the area for decades and had lived experience of the issues being raised.

The Solicitor for the Council asked the parties if they had any objections to Councillor Maxine Dixon being present as an observer for the deliberations. There were no objections.

The applicant, her husband, her solicitor, the objector, the Environmental Health Team Manager – Licensing and the Licensing and Enforcement Officer left the meeting whilst the Committee deliberated and returned for the announcement of the decision.

Moved by Councillor Rose Bowler and seconded by Councillor Rita Turner.

RESOLVED that the Sub Committee –

1. Grants the Premises Licence application as applied for (including the conditions added by Trading Standards).

 (Environmental Health Team Manager – Licensing/Licensing and Enforcement Officer/ Solicitor)

The meeting concluded at 10:55 hours.