There were no apologies for absence.

No interests were declared at the meeting.

The sub-committee received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) concerning an application by Mad Dogs & Englishmen Interiors Ltd. for the grant of a premises licence at Mad Dogs & Englishmen Interiors Ltd, 1349-1353 London Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 2AB. The application sought the following:

(a)      To extend the area used for licensable activities to include a roof terrace;

(b)      The supply of alcohol for consumption on the roof terrace:

          Sundays to Thursdays:      12:00hrs – 18:00hrs:

          Fridays and Saturdays:      12:00hrs – 22:00hrs

(c)      The opening times of the roof terrace to the public:

          Sundays to Thursdays:      12:00hrs – 18:00hrs;

          Fridays and Saturdays:      12:00hrs – 22:00hrs.

The application was presented by the Applicant, Mr Justin Hazell (Designated Premises Supervisor).

The sub-committee noted that representations had been received from the Licensing Authority, acting as a Responsible Authority, Leigh Town Council and six (6) from local residents, objecting to the application. Prior to the commencement of the hearing, however, conditions had subsequently been agreed between the applicant and the Licensing Authority, should the application be granted. These conditions were tabled at the meeting to all parties present. The effect of one of these conditions amended the application thereby reducing the hours the terrace would be open to the public and the sale of alcohol to:

Sundays to Thursdays: 12:00hrs – 18:00hrs

Fridays and Saturdays: 12:00hrs – 20:00hrs.

On this basis, the representation by the Licensing Authority was withdrawn.

One of the objectors, namely Ms H Symmons, attended the meeting and gave evidence on behalf of Leigh Town Council.  Copies of all the valid written representations were provided to the sub-committee in advance of the hearing.

In determining the application, the sub-committee 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 sub-committee concluded that, on the basis of the evidence presented to it, the concerns of noise, disturbance and public nuisance were matters for the Police and Environmental Health Service, who were both experts in their respective fields (paragraph 9.12 of the Revised Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 refers) and neither had objected to the application.  The application had been amended reducing the use of the terrace to a reasonable terminal hour that would not cause disturbance or nuisance to residential properties late into the evening or disturb children at night.  The conditions agreed between the applicant and the Licensing Authority would address the concerns expressed in the representations received to the application. Furthermore, a key protection for the community where problems associated with the licensing objectives occur, was the possibility of reviewing the licence.

The sub-committee therefore did not consider that the promotion of the licensing objectives would be undermined by the granting of the application, as amended, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions. It therefore:-

Resolved:-

That the application  ...  view the full minutes text for item 292.