Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor C. Hinds.

None were received.

The Chairman explained the procedure for hearing and determining the application and detailed the order in which speakers would be able to address the Sub-Committee.

That the Variation of a Premises Licence be granted to the Applicant for the sale of alcohol Monday to Sunday for 24 hours in line with the current opening hours and operating schedule conditions. The following conditions will be attached to the Applicant's Licence.

·         A digital, colour hard disc CCTV system to be installed and maintained in a good working order. Recordings are to be kept for a minimum of 28 days and made available for inspection by Police or Local Authority, upon request.

·         Cameras to monitor both the interior and exterior of the premises.

·         There must be a minimum of one member of staff trained and available to download evidence at the request of the Police or Local Authority at all times the premises are open.

·         Premises to adopt Challenge 25 policy.

The Sub-Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment which was presented by the Licensing Officer for determination of an application for variation of a premises licence.  She advised that the time requested in the variation application was as follows:

Monday to Sunday – 24 hours (in line with current opening hours).

The Licensing Officer confirmed that the application had been advertised in the correct manner and drew attention to the additional steps to be taken by the applicant to promote the licensing objectives.   Representations had been received from North Wales Police, Councillor C. Hinds and local residents. 

The Licensing Officer advised that a number of concerns had been raised against the application by residents from the area and were appended to the report, together with a letter from North Wales Police. 

4.1             Representations by Responsible Authorities

There were no representations by Responsible Authorities.

The Licensing Officer reported that North Wales Police had not objected to the application but had submitted a number of conditions to be attached to the premises licence under the licensing objection of Prevention of Crime and Disorder and these had been agreed by the applicant.

4.2       Representations by the Applicant

Mr. P. Sherratt, Licensing Matters, explained that he was acting on behalf of the applicant and sought permission to speak on behalf of Mr Kumar and Mr Yoganathan, Directors of Longacres Filling Station Limited. 

Mr. Sherratt reported that the premises concerned, Dobshill Service Station already traded in the sale of other items for 24 hours, however, the sale of alcohol was restricted.   He added that a request for variation of a premises licence had been made to meet the needs of the general public and cited shift workers as an example.  He said that customers had expressed a wish for a 24 hour service and also commented on the current economic climate and the need for businesses to adapt accordingly.

Mr. Sherratt outlined the systems already in place to ensure lawful operation of the premises and referred to the training provided for staff which was held on a regular basis.  He advised that his client was an experienced retail operator and had owned the Dobshill Service Station site since November 2012.  In addition the applicant owned a further two premises in the Flintshire area and both sites had held premises licences for the sale of alcohol for 24 hours for the last 5 years.

Mr. Sherratt advised that the Responsible Authorities had been consulted and North Wales Police had asked for a number of conditions to be attached to the Premises Licence which had been agreed by the applicant.  As a result the Police had no objections to the application.

Mr. Sherratt said that his applicant acknowledged the concerns raised by local residents and Councillor C. Hinds.  However, there was no evidence of a causal link between the sale of alcohol at the premises and the anti-social behaviour and health issues cited by the residents in the area.  He requested that the Panel be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

There were two members of the press and no additional members of the public in attendance.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item as it is considered to contain exempt information by virtue of paragraph(s) _______ of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).