There were no apologies for absence.

No interests were declared at the meeting.

The sub-committee received a report of the Executive Director (Environment & Place) concerning an application by Mr Benedict Hurley for the grant of a premises licence at The Cork Dork, 84-86 The Ridgeway, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 8NU.

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 Hurley (Applicant and Designated Premises Supervisor). 

The sub-committee noted that no letters of objection to this application had been received from any of the Responsible Authorities, although additional and amended conditions had been agreed with the Licensing Authority during the consultation period, should the application be granted.  These conditions were set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report of the Council’s Executive Director (Environment and Place).  One (1) representation had, however, been received from a local resident, objecting to the application, although they did not attend the hearing. Copies of their written representation was provided to the sub-committee in advance of the hearing. 

The sub-committee was mindful that the application was similar to that previously granted in July 2022 and heard from the applicant that, due to a clerical error on his behalf, the previous licence had not been transferred to him before the company which held the previous licence had been dissolved.  Accordingly, he had submitted a fresh application along the lines of that previously granted.  The sub-committee also heard that a number of local residents, including those neighbouring the premises had sent emails to support the application.  The aim of the application was to continue the activities previously enjoyed under the previous licence and the use of an outside area.

The sub-committee was mindful that the application now also sought the inclusion of an outside area within the licensed area.  It noted that CCTV had been installed to cover all the entry and exit points at the premises and that the applicant had installed a camera to cover this outdoor seating area.

The sub-committee concluded that, on the basis of the evidence presented to it in respect of this application, there was insufficient evidence to substantiate that the concerns raised in the representation would occur or could be attributed to this premises, or that could not be addressed through the imposition of appropriate conditions.  The sub-committee, therefore, did not consider that the promotion of the licensing objectives would be undermined by the granting of the application, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions. It therefore:

Resolved:-

That the application be granted subject to:

(i) The Mandatory Conditions set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report of the Executive Director (Environment & Place);

(ii) The conditions drawn from the Operating Schedule, agreed with the Licensing Authority, as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report of the Executive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.