Agenda and draft minutes

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment (attached).

RESOLVED -That the decision of the Committee as per the attached notice be noted.

GATESHEAD COUNCIL

LICENSING AUTHORITY

SUMMARY OF DECISION OF LICENSING SUB-COMMITTEE

Address :                              33 Penshaw View  Birtley  DH3 2JL

Applicant :                            Ms Haseena Mahmood

Date of Hearing :                16 August 2017

Type of Hearing :               Application for the grant of a premises licence

The Sub Committee has decided as follows:

To grant the premises licence subject to the mandatory conditions set out in the Licensing Act 2003 and the conditions proposed by the Applicant as part of her operating schedule, as set out in the Licensing Officer’s report. 

Reasons

The Sub Committee had regard to the Licensing Officer’s report dated 8 August 2017 and the verbal representations made at the hearing by –

·         Ms Haseena Mahmood (Applicant); and

·         Mr John Bradley (Licensing Authority).

At the outset Ms Mahmood confirmed that her application was for off-sales only, and not for on-sale activity as indicated on the application form.  The licensing officer Ms Rebecca Sparrow confirmed that the application had been advertised on the basis of off-sales.

The Sub Committee heard that the hearing had been triggered by a representation having been received from an interested party, Ms Margaret Bond, who raised concerns that the proposed licensable activities were likely to undermine the licensing objectives.

Ms Bond was not in attendance at the hearing, however her written representation was duly considered by the Sub Committee.

The Sub Committee heard from Ms Mahmood that the premises have been open to the public for approximately two weeks (without the sale of alcohol).  The Sub Committee heard that it is Ms Mahmood’s intention to operate the premises in a manner that supports the local community.  The Sub Committee heard that Ms Mahmood has experience of working in similar licensed premises (although this is the first business she has operated herself), and that she will be supported by her mother as the Designated Premises Supervisor, who has experience of the role.  The Sub Committee heard that Ms Mahmood will also seek to obtain a personal licence.  The Sub Committee heard that the premises also sell cigarettes, so she has an age verification policy for age-restricted products and already displays age challenge posters in the premises.  With regard to the concerns raised by the interested party, Ms Mahmood stated that there is parking available to the side of the premises as well as on the main street; and that she will take action to prevent and report anti-social behaviour where this arises.  Ms Mahmood also confirmed that she will keep a refusals register, install and monitor CCTV inside the premises and outside, and will report incidents that occur. 

The Sub Committee heard from Mr Bradley that whilst there was concern from the interested party that allowing licensable activities to take place at the premises may increase the level of anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of other premises, there were in fact no recent reported incidents.

The Sub Committee received legal advice from the  ...  view the full minutes text for item LSC1