The Sub-committee resolved that Cllr Newberry should chair the meeting.

Members are respectfully reminded that, in determining the matters listed below, they are exercising an administrative function with the civil burden of proof, i.e. ‘on the balance of probabilities’.  The matter will be determined on the facts before the Sub-Committee and the rules of natural justice will apply.

Members were respectfully reminded that, in determining the matters listed

below, they were exercising an administrative function with the civil burden of

proof, i.e. ‘on the balance of probabilities’. The matter would be determined

on the facts before the Sub-Committee and the rules of natural justice would

apply.

There were no declarations of interest.

The report before members provided information relating to the application for a premises licence in respect of Ingatestone Post Office, High Street, Ingatestone, CM4 9ET. 

Members were requested to determine the application having regard to the operating schedule, the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy and the four licensing objectives:

·         Prevention of crime and disorder

·         Prevention of nuisance

·         Public safety

·         Protection of children from harm

The application was received on 11 May 2016 from Mr Kathatharan Ponnampalam in respect of Ingatestone Post Office, High Street, Ingatestone, CM4 9ET and a copy was before the Sub-committee.  The applicant sought a premises licence for the sale of alcohol for the hours of 08.00hrs - 20:30 hrs daily.

Three written objections were appended to the agenda which the Sub-committee had noted.

Mr Jordan addressed the Sub-committee on behalf of the applicant and advised that there were two amendments to the application. Firstly, the application was amended in that the licence hours would be Monday to Saturday 8.00am to 19.30pm, rather than 8.00am to 20.30pm Monday to Sunday and secondly that alcohol would only be displayed in the area delineated in the plan submitted to Sub-Committee during the Sub-Committee hearing.

Mr Jordan also advised that the applicant would be initiating a training programme which would include such things as I.D. requirements, fines and punishments imposed on staff for breaches of the licence conditions or sales to minors, a challenge 25 policy which would include proxy sales, training on street drinking and drug taking and knowledge of the licence conditions. Appropriate signage would be displayed and staff would have to prove they had been trained by signing a training book and a refusal register would be kept.

It was submitted that post offices needed to change and adapt to survive, hence the change of use. Without that change of use it risked being lost to the community.

Members noted that whilst licence hours would be until 19.30pm, the shop would close at 19.00pm. The extra half hour was to allow for orderly closing.

It was submitted that the application did not offend the licence objectives. It was requested that the licence was not granted subject to a condition that two staff were present as if two were on duty and one left momentarily the licence would be breached.

The applicant confirmed that they would engage with the police in the event there was anti social behaviour but they objected to a condition that a “mosquito” device was installed as whilst this would deter “youths” it would also cause irritation to young children who came into the shop with their parents.

A question was put by a Member as to how many staff would work in the premises. The applicant advised that he was there always and used part time staff to have a staff present of two or sometimes three.

A question was raised about how one staff member would manage if he or she worked alone. The Sub-committee viewed a plan of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.