Agenda and minutes

          Resolved – That Councillor Vera Tomlinson Chair this meeting of the Panel.

(Councillor Tomlinson took the Chair.)

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd June 2016.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd June 2016, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

          The Panel considered (a) a report of the Council’s Licensing Manager setting out an application for a Premises Licence for Unit 4-6, 1-8 Manchester Road, Swindon, (b) revised paperwork submitted at the meeting in respect of the application, (c) information set out in the Licensing Manager’s report, (d) the Council’s procedure for licensing hearings, (e) correspondence from Wiltshire Police requesting the attachment of conditions should the application be granted, (f) objections received from Broad Green Community Council and two local residents opposing the grant of a Premises Licence, (g) oral representations from the applicant in support of his application, (h) questions and answers to officers, the applicant (Mr Kadir) and the owner of the premises (Mr Muhammad), (i) the Licensing Act 2013 and the Secretary of State’s Section 182 Guidance, and (j) the Council’s Licensing Policy.

The Head of Planning, Regulatory Services and Heritage introduced the report noting that:

·       Revised paperwork had been tabled at the meeting to replace pages 17 – 39 of the agenda papers.

·       Unit 4 had been granted a premises Licence for Unit 4 of the premises on 15^th January 2016.

·       The hours requested for the sale of alcohol were 08:00 – 23:00 daily.

·       The application was for a supermarket comprising a single unit and if granted would require the issue of a new premises licence.

·       The objections to the grant of a new premises licence had been received from Broad Green Community Council and two local residents.

·       The objections received could be broadly summarised as opposing a new outlet for the sale of alcohol in the locality and the hours for the sale of alcohol requested.

·       The area for alcohol display was set out on the floor plan appended to the report of the Council’s Licensing Officer.

·       Wiltshire Police had requested a number of conditions which were set out on pages 44 -45 of the agenda papers.  The applicant had accepted these conditions in their entirety.

·       In the event that a new premises licence be granted the existing premises licence would need to be surrendered by the premises licence holder.

In the absence of the objectors, the Panel had before them their written submissions set out on pages 41 – 44 of the agenda papers, these can be broadly summarised as:

·       There were already too many retail outlets selling alcohol in the area.

·       The grant of further premises licences could lead to a depression of alcohol prices in existing shops.

·       The availability of cheaper alcohol could attract street drinkers and lower prices would deprive existing shops of income.

·       Many local residents do not have cars and rely on corner shops in the area.

·       The Council had considered a Cumulative Impact Policy for the area.

·       Larger retail units in Manchester Road thrive despite not selling alcohol.

·       There are enough outlets in the area to cater for local needs.

·       The area already suffers from anti-social behaviour from street drinkers.

In the absence of Police representatives, the Panel considered the conditions requested by Wiltshire  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.