There were no apologies for absence.

No interests were declared at the meeting.

The Sub Committee received a report by the Corporate Director for Place regarding an application by Raymond Kwan Nga Ho for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect of 208 Eastern Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 3AD.

The application was presented by Mr P West, the Applicant’s Licensing Consultant.  The Applicant, Mr Kwan Nga Ho, attended the meeting with his daughter, Miss J Ho.

The Sub Committee noted that whilst two of the Responsible Authorities, namely Essex Police and the Environmental Protection Team, had initially objected to the application, conditions had been agreed between these parties should the application be granted which addressed their concerns.  Accordingly, those initial objections had been withdrawn on this basis.

Objections had however, been received from 11 other interested parties, namely ten local residents and one local Councillor.  The objection from the local Councillor had been subsequently withdrawn prior to the meeting.  Additionally, at the meeting, the Sub Committee was informed that the objection from Mrs Sims on behalf of the residents of Faversham Lodge had also now been withdrawn. None of the objectors attended the meeting.

Clarification was given that the area for licensable activities would only be that area shown as the bar and customer area as illustrated on the plan titled drawing no. L-101/01 dated March 2005.

The Sub Committee considered all the evidence and submissions that had been made at the meeting and the written documentation that had been presented prior to the meeting. The Sub Committee also had regard to the National Guidelines and the Borough Council's Statement of Licensing Policy and 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, as they related to this application.

After consideration of the objections and on the basis of the evidence presented to them, the sub-committee did not consider the promotion of the licensing objectives would be undermined by the granting of this application. 

The Sub Committee therefore:

Resolved:

That the application be granted subject to:

1.  The mandatory conditions set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Corporate Director for Place.

2.  The conditions consistent with the Operating Schedule set out in Appendix 2 to the report of the Corporate Director for Place.

3.  The conditions agreed between the applicant and the Environmental Protection Team and Essex Police as set out in Appendix 3 to the report of the Corporate Director for Place.

4.  The following additional conditions offered by the applicant:

(i)  External bottle bins shall not be used between the hours of 9.00 p.m. until 9.00 a.m.

(ii)  Signs shall be displayed at the premises in a prominent position informing patrons that no drinks or drinking vessels shall be taken outdoors.