There were no apologies for absence at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest at this meeting.

The sub-committee received a report of the Executive Director (Environment & Place) concerning an application by Kettzone Limited for the grant of a premises licence at Southchurch Park Café, Shaftesbury Avenue, SS1 2YN.

The sub-committee listened to all the evidence and submissions and have read all the documents.  It had regard to the Statutory Guidance Notes and Southend-on-Sea City Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy. It considered the four licensing objectives namely the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

The application was presented by Mr J Eve (Applicant’s representative).  Ms N Lovell (applicant) attended the hearing and gave evidence.

The sub-committee heard that the purpose of the application was not to become a live music venue/bar but would be a café selling alcohol (beers/wines) ancillary to a meal. Drinks would be served by waiter/waitress service to guests seated at tables only.  There would not be a bar constructed in the premises and vertical/standing drinking would not be permitted. 

The sub-committee noted that one letter of objection to this application had been received from Environmental Health, although conditions had been agreed with the Licensing Authority and Essex Police, both acting as a Responsible Authority during the consultation period, should the application be granted.  These conditions were set out in Appendix 2 to the report of the Council’s Executive Director (Environment and Place).

Twenty-two (22) representations had also been received from local residents objecting to the application. Copies of all the valid representations were provided to the sub-committee.

Six of the objectors, attended the meeting and gave evidence.  Councillors Martin Terry and Ron Woodley also attended the meeting and gave evidence on behalf of several residents.

The objections/representations essentially related to all four of the licensing objectives, namely the concerns related to the potential increase of crime and disorder and public nuisance (noise) and the provision of music (both amplified and acoustic) would exacerbate the problems currently being experienced by local residents.

The sub-committee therefore considered that the promotion of the licensing objectives, namely the prevention of public nuisance (noise and disturbance), would be undermined by the granting of the application before them and the application failed to demonstrate how it would meet the licensing objectives. It was therefore:

Resolved:

That the application to vary the premises licence be refused.