Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 September 2021.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 1 September 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers are invited to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of agenda item 5 (Licensing Act 2003: Application for a new Premises Licence at Korya News, 5 Clapgate, Romiley, Stockport,) as appendices to the report contain information ‘not for publication’ in accordance with Section 14(2) of The Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005 and where the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED – That notwithstanding the submission of information as part of Agenda Item 5 – ‘Licensing Act 2003: Application for a new Premises Licence at Korya News, 5 Clapgate, Romiley, Stockport’ which had been classified as ‘Not for Publication’ by virtue of it containing material which related to an individual, the Sub-Committee was satisfied that in the circumstances it was not necessary for the public to be excluded from the meeting.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and members of the Sub-Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Sub-Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice. (Questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting on the cards provided.  These are available at the meeting).

No public questions were submitted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

The report details an application from Mr Bilal Ashraf for a new Premises Licence at Korya News, 5 Clapgate, Romiley, Stockport to permit the sale of alcohol off the premises from 0700 to 2300 hours, Monday to Sunday.

The Sub-Committee is recommended to consider the application for a new Premises Licence at Korya News, 5 Clapgate, Romiley, Stockport.

Officer contact: Sarah Tooth on 0161 474 4176 or email: sarah.tooth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing an application from Mr Bilal Ashraf for a new premises licence to be granted under the Licensing Act 2003 at Korya News, 5 Clapgate, Romiley, Stockport to permit the sale of alcohol off the premises from 0700 to 2300 hours, Monday to Sunday.

The applicant attended the meeting and answered Councillors’ questions in relation to the application. One objector to the proposal, having previously submitted written representations in relation to the application, also attended the meeting, explained their objections and answered Councillors’ questions in relation to the application.  The Sub-Committee also considered and were mindful of the two further written representations that had been submitted in relation to this application.

There were no representations made by any responsible authority.

The Sub-Committee, having heard the interested parties, proceeded to consider the licensing objectives in respect of the application, together with the relevant parts of the Council’s Licensing Policy and the guidance from the Home Office.  However, the decision was reached on consideration of all the arguments given in relation to this specific application.

The Sub-Committee found the following:-

(i)        Crime and Disorder

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that relevant representations had been raised in respect of this licensing objective, specifically, the representations asserted that the granting of the licence would exacerbate existing issues of anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the premises and would potentially attract criminal activity.

(ii)       Protection of Children

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that no relevant representations had been raised in respect of this licensing objective.

(iii)       Public Safety

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that relevant representations had been raised in respect of this licensing objective, specifically, the representations expressed concerns in relation to a recent fire at the property and the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of exterior features that were considered to be in an unsafe condition.

(iv)      Public Nuisance

The Sub-Committee was satisfied that no relevant representations had been raised in respect of this licensing objective.

However, while the Sub-Committee noted and had great sympathy with the concerns expressed by local residents, there was an absence of objective evidence to substantiate the grounds of the objections, and nor had there been any representations made by any of the responsible authorities in relation to this matter.

The Sub-Committee also noted with approval the content of the applicant’s operating schedule in respect of the licensing objectives, specifically that CCTV would be installed at the premises, the provision of signage asking patrons to respect local residents and the operation of a Challenge 25 policy.

The Sub-Committee was therefore of the view that there were no further conditions that were both necessary and appropriate in order to address the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety licensing objectives.

It was then

RESOLVED – (1) That the hours for the supply of alcohol off the premises be approved from 0700 to 2300 hours, Monday to Sunday.

(2) That approval be given to the imposition of those conditions proposed by the applicant as part of their operating schedule to appear on the premises licence in addition to the mandatory conditions.

The Sub-Committee is recommended to give consideration to a request received on behalf of the applicant for an extension of the time limit provided for in The Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005 for the determination of the application for a new premises licence at 204- 210 Wilmslow Road, Heald Green, until no later than Monday, 17 January 2022.

With the consent of the Sub-Committee, this item was withdrawn.