Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report on an application for a new premises licence for The Local Store, 116 Bruin Street, LE4 5AY.

Report attached. A copy of the associated documentation is attached for Members only. Further copies are available on the Council’s website at www.Cabinet.leicester.gov.uk or by telephoning Democratic Support on 0116 4546369.

(Wards Affected: Belgrave)

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services submitted a report that required Members to determine an application for a new premises licence for The Local Store, 116 Bruin Street, LE4 5AY.

Members noted that representations had been received from six local residents in respect of the application, which necessitated that the application had to be considered by Members.

The applicant, Mr Dharmesh Valobo had sent apologies in advance for his absence and also requested that the hearing go ahead without him being present. The Sub-Committee agreed that it was in the public interest to proceed with the hearing in the absence of the applicant.

The Licensing Team Manager, the Solicitor to the Sub-Committee and the observing Solicitor were all present at the hearing.

It was noted that a representative of the Press was also present.

Introductions were made and the procedure for the meeting was outlined to those present.

The Licensing Team Manager presented the report and answered questions from Members.

It was noted that the residents who had submitted representations were not present at the hearing, however their written representations were before the Sub-Committee.

All parties were then given the opportunity to sum up their positions and make any final comments.

Prior to Members considering the application, the Solicitor to the Sub-Committee advised Members of the options available to them in making a decision. Members were also advised of the relevant policy and statutory guidance that needed to be taken into account when making their decision.

In reaching their decision, Members felt they should deliberate in private on the basis that this was in the public interest, and as such outweighed the public interest of their deliberation taking place with the parties represented present.

The Licensing Team Manager, the Solicitor to the Sub-Committee, the observing Solicitor and the representative of the press then withdrew from the meeting.

Members then gave the application full and detailed consideration.

The Solicitor to the Sub-Committee with the observing Solicitor were then recalled to the hearing to give advice on the wording of the decision.

The Licensing Team Manager and the representative of the press then returned to the meeting.

The Chair informed all persons present that they had recalled the Solicitor to the Sub-Committee for advice on the wording of their decision.

RESOLVED:

That the application for a new premises licence for The Local Store, 116 Bruin Street, LE4 5AY be refused.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

In reaching their decision Sub-Committee Members said that they had carefully considered the written representations and taken into account the Statutory Guidance and the Council’s Licensing Policy. The Sub-Committee noted the alcohol related issues in the local area and the Anti-Social Behaviour that was referred to in the representations.

The Sub-Committee’s decision was that it was appropriate for the prevention of public nuisance to reject the application.