Decision

RESOLVED:

The decision

The Licensing Sub-Committee in considering this decision from the information presented to it within the report and at the hearing today has determined that having regard to the promotion of all the licensing objectives:

·  The prevention of crime and disorder;

·  Public safety;

·  Prevention of public nuisance;

·  The protection of children from harm;

the application for a premises licence has been approved in accordance with the Council’s Statement of Licensing and the proposed conditions set out in paragraph 8.1 of the report.

Reasons for the decision

Mr Daly presented submissions for the Applicant. He explained that the only issue raised against the application was the cumulative number of off-licenses in this area, but said this was not a valid reason for refusing the application because it is not for the Licensing Authorities to determine need for alcohol sales in an area. There was no real evidence to support the view this proposal would undermine the Licensing Objectives.

Mr Daly said that all the conditions he would expect on a licence of this kind had been proposed, that the Responsible Authorities were the experts on upholding the Licensing Objectives, and they were content with the proposal with the agreed conditions. He noted the Applicant had considerable retail experience though this would be his first time as a Personal Licence Holder.

In response to a member query, Mr Daly said that this was an off-licence and so there was no need for conditions concerning regulated entertainment, e.g. in relation to forbidding the use of speakers.

Reasons for the decision

The application for a premises licence has been approved as members of the Licensing Sub-Committee were satisfied that the licensing objectives would not be undermined. 

The Committee considers that this application is compliant with local policy. It observes that the Responsible Authorities, its experts in relation to the Licensing Objectives, have not objected in light of agreed conditions with the Applicant. The Committee is therefore reassured this application will not undermine the Licensing Objectives. The Committee acknowledges the concern raised in the single resident objection, which was that the street would have too many off licences, but considers that this would be an insufficient basis for finding that the Licensing Objectives would be undermined by this application. The Committee reminded itself that each application must be considered on its own merits. The Committee also acknowledges the strong encouragement in the latest version of the s.182 guidance for decision-making which promotes economic growth.

Having taken all of the above factors into consideration the Sub-Committee was satisfied that by granting the premises licence the licensing objectives would continue to be promoted.