Agenda and minutes

Councillor Pickering was appointed as Chair.

There were no apologies for absence.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

Councillor Cank declared that the objector was a person she knew, and she would ensure to consider the matter with an open mind on the hearing. All parties agreed to accept her to remain as a Member of the hearing panel.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 23^rd April 2024, 22^nd May 2024 and 5^th June 2024 are attached and members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The minutes of the previous meetings held on 23^rd April 2024, 22^nd May 2024 and 5^th June 2024 were confirmed as a correct record.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report for an application of a new premises licence for Tudor Mini Market, 229 Tudor Road, Leicester.

Councillor Pickering, as Chair led on introductions and outlined the procedure the hearing would follow.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submitted a report on an application of a new premises licence for Tudor Mini Market, 229 Tudor Road, Leicester.

The Applicant Mr Awat Ghaderi and his representative Tony Clarke, Secure Licences Limited, were in attendance. The objector Ms Teri Downes was present. Also present was the Licensing Team Manager (Policy and Applications) and the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee together with an observer.

Councillor Cank made a declaration of interest that she was acquainted with Ms Downes through her role as a Councillor. She indicated that she felt perfectly able to provide an unbiased decision in the matter. Mr Clarke on behalf of the applicant indicated that he was happy for Councillor Cank to continue to sit on the matter.

The Licensing Team Manager (Policy and Applications) presented the report and outlined details of the application.

A representation was received on 15 October 2024 from a member of the public. It was signed by an additional 13 local residents. The representation related to the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance, public safety and the protection of children from harm. The representees were concerned that the area already had plenty of shops and could not cope with extra footfall. This would potentially increase litter, noise, loitering and street drinking. They felt that the early opening may impact on school journeys and was a health and safety risk. Additionally, the proposed late closing times may increase noise levels in this residential area.

Ms Downes was given the opportunity to outline the details of their representation and answered questions from Members. With the agreement of Mr Clarke, she submitted photographs of the premises and the Licensing Team Manager shared google images of the premises.

Mr Ghaderi and Mr Clarke were given the opportunity to address the Sub-Committee and answered questions from Members and Objector.

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

The Sub-Committee received legal advice from the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee in the presence of all those present and were advised of the options available to them in making their decision. The Sub-Committee 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, in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005.

The Chair announced that the decision and reasons would be announced in writing within five working days. The Chair informed the meeting that the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee would be called back to give advice on the wording of the decision.

The Sub-Committee recalled the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

With there being no further business, the meeting closed at 11:45am.