Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Nia Jeffreys (Local Member)

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

None to note

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

None to note

ROBERT’S NEWSAGENTS 63 HIGH STREET, PORTHMADOG, LL49 9LR

To consider the above application

DECISION: ⁠To approve the application

Opening Hours:

Sunday 06:00 – 00:00

Monday 06:00 – 00:00

Tuesday 06:00 – 00:00

Wednesday 06:00 – 00:00

Thursday 06:00 – 00:00

Friday 06:00 – 00:00

Saturday 06:00 – 00:00

Licensable Activities: The sale of alcohol – On and off the premises

Sunday 06:00 – 23:00

Monday 06:00 – 23:00

Tuesday 06:00 – 23:00

Wednesday 06:00 – 23:00

Thursday 06:00 – 23:00

Friday 06:00 – 23:00

Saturday 06:00 – 23:00

Additional measures,

·       All staff selling alcohol or supplying alcohol to customers will receive training under the licence within six weeks of being employed, which will be documented.

·       A CCTV camera in the form of a recordable system will be provided, and the images retained for 31 days. The recordings will be made available to any responsible authorities.

·       The licence holder to ensure that appropriate fire safety provisions are in place and clearly marked escape routes that will be kept free of obstructions.

·       The store manager to ensure that customers move away from the premises and do not loiter in the area.

·       The premises will implement a 'Challenge 25' policy.

·       ID cards with holographic markings, passport or PASS cards will be accepted, and till prompts will be used for age-restricted products.

Together with the full list of the measures in Part M of the application that are proposed by the applicant to promote the Licensing Objectives

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

a)               The Licensing Department's Report

The report by the Head of the Environment Department was presented, providing details of a premises licence application from Roberts’s Newsagents (Pikes). The property was described as a newsagent store with the intention of continuing to operate mainly as a shop, but to include a provision for the sale of alcohol to be consumed off the premises.

It was noted that the Licensing Authority's Officers had sufficient evidence that the application had been submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and the relevant regulations. Reference was made to the measures recommended by the applicant to promote the licensing objectives, and it was highlighted that these measures would be included on the licence.

It was reported that the Local Member had submitted observations expressing concerns in relation to the prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance and public safety. With the proposal to sell alcohol from 6.00 until 00:00, 7 days a week, this could influence drinking levels, drinking patterns, and alcohol-related harm. The Member had recommended shortening the hours to reduce the likelihood of crime and disorder in the town and in the interests of public safety.

The Licensing Manager highlighted that the applicant, since receiving the Local Member's observations, had proposed shortening the hours for selling alcohol by 1 hour per day at the end of the day, but the Local Member had noted that the proposal did not alleviate concerns, despite appreciating the offer of a compromise.

The officers, in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003, recommended for the Committee to consider the observations and recommendations made to shorten the operational hours and make a decision in line with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

b)               In considering the application, the following procedure was followed:-

·        Members of the Sub-committee given an opportunity to ask questions of the Council’s representative.

·        At the Chair’s discretion, the applicant or his representative to ask questions of the Council’s representative.

·        The applicant and/or his representative to be invited to expand on the application and to call witnesses.

·        Members of the Sub-committee to be given the opportunity to ask questions of the applicant and/or his representative. 

·        At the Chair's discretion, the Council’s representative to ask questions of the applicant and/or his representative.

·        Every Consultee to be invited to support any written representations.

·        The Council’s representative and the applicant and/or his representative to be given the opportunity to summarise their case. ⁠ ⁠ ⁠

·        The legal officer to summarise the requirements of the application.

c)       In response to a question why observations had not been received from the Police and Public Protection Service, it was noted that the Department had undertaken a public consultation for 28 days which allowed plenty of time for anyone to present observations. In this case, no response had been received from the responsible authorities.

In response to a question about the current use of the shop, as a newsagent and one that sells fishing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.