There were no apologies for absence.

All Members of the sub-committee declared non-pecuniary interests in this matter on the grounds that the objectors were known to them as fellow Councillors.

The sub-committee received a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) concerning an application by WM Morrison Supermarkets Plc for the grant of a Premises Licence at Morrisons, Western Approaches, Eastwood, Essex, SS2 6SH.

The application was presented by the Applicants’ Solicitor, Ms C Johnson.  Ms K Nichols (Licensing and Compliance Manager) was in attendance at the hearing and gave evidence.

The sub-committee noted that no letters of objection to this application had been received from any of the Responsible Authorities.

Representations had however, been received from the three Ward Councillors in their capacity as “other persons”.  One of the Councillors, namely Councillor Buckley, attended the hearing. Their objections related to the potential concerns of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in a premises frequented by young families and children, the limited size of the premises and the need for such a premises in close proximity to a licensed public house.

The sub-committee listened to all the evidence and submissions, and read all the documents.  It had regard to the Statutory Guidance Notes and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy. The sub-committee further 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 the objections to the application were purely speculative and were not based on factual evidence.  Furthermore, the need for a premises licence relates to commercial demand and is not a matter for the sub-committee.

On the basis of the evidence presented to it, the sub-committee did not consider that the promotion of the licensing objectives would be undermined by the granting of this application.  The sub-committee therefore:-

Resolved:-

That the application for a premises licence be granted subject to:

(i)  The Mandatory Conditions set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place); and

(ii) The conditions drawn from the Operating Schedule set out in Appendix 2 to the report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place).