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 Velupillai Jeyakumar for the grant of a premises licence at Broadway Fruits, 194 Thorpe Bay Broadway, SS1 3EU.

The application was presented by Mr Frank Fender, the applicant’s licensing consultant. Mr Jeyakumar was in attendance at the hearing and gave evidence.

At the outset of the hearing Mr Penn, the Council’s Regulatory Services Manager, declared that he had been acting as the representative of the Licensing Authority in its role as Responsible Authority in relation to this application. Due to unforeseen staffing issues, he was attending this meeting for administrative purposes only. Mr Bahannack also pointed out to all parties, an error in the report of the Executive Director (Environment & Place). This was in paragraph 9.2 where it should have read: “Appendix 2 – Conditions drawn from the Operating Schedule for the sub-committee’s consideration” rather than “Conditions drawn from the current licence...”

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).

Four (4) representations had, however, been received from local residents, 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.

One (1) representation was received from a local Councillor. The representation was later withdrawn, with an agreement being reached with the applicant to amend the application in relation to hours sought for the sale of alcohol off the premises from 06.00hrs to 23.00 hrs to 07.00hrs to 23.00hrs and the additional and amended conditions as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report.

The representations essentially related to the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance. In particular, the concerns related to the number of premises in the street currently selling alcohol; and the potential for increased public nuisance, safety and noise including the potential disturbance caused by more vehicles in the street.

The sub-committee carefully considered all the evidence submitted in writing and orally at the meeting. It listened to all the evidence and submissions and 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. Each contested application is decided on its merits.

The number of licensed premises or the question of whether another premises is needed are not matters for the sub-committee to consider. There is no cumulative impact policy for this area. 

The sub-committee concluded that, on the basis of the evidence presented to it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.