Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Officer drew attention to the Emergency Evacuation Procedure.

There were none.

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting.

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other interest (as defined in Part 4.4 Appendix B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests).

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officer or a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

There were none.

There was none.

The Sub-Committee RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th January 2024.

The Chair referenced the procedure that would be followed during the course of the meeting.

Those that were present confirmed that they had received and understood the licensing procedure.

The Public Protection Officer (Licensing) introduced the report to the Sub-Committee and highlighted the following information from it.

The application proposes the following licensable activities:

·  The sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises every day between the hours of 06:00 and 23:00.

The application proposes the following opening times:

·  Every day between the hours of 06:00 and 23:00.

He explained that there were three written representations of objection from local residents and one written representation on behalf of St Monica’s Trust in support of the application.

He explained that following a consultation with the police, the applicant agreed to a series of measures, as set out in the report, which will replace those offered by the applicant in the original application.

The Chair asked if any of the Responsible Authorities had made any objection to the application.

The Public Protection Officer (Licensing) that they had not.

Hardish Purewal addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of the applicant, she was accompanied by a current store manager Debbie Stacey.

She informed the Sub-Committee that One Stop have over 700 stores nationally and employ around 10,000 people. She added that they have 30 stores in the South West area.

She explained that the company has a Good Neighbour Policy and would like to become part of the neighbourhood when it opens. She added that they would want to hear from local people should any problems concerning the store occur.

She stated that all staff training is documented and that they would receive refreshed training on age related sales twice a year. She said that the store strongly follows the Think 25 policy and that appropriate forms of ID must be shown for sales to be approved.

She informed the Sub-Committee that there would be between 12 – 18 cameras in the store, mainly covering the main door and checkout areas. She added that they would also have panic alarms in place.

She thanked the residents for sharing their concerns and said that they hoped to be able to have an open dialogue with them regarding the store.

She stated that having agreed a number of conditions with the police and having received no formal objections from them or other Responsible Authorities that they believe that the application should be granted on its own merits.

Councillor Toby Simon asked if alcohol sales were a necessary element required for the store to open.

Hardish Purewal replied that they were.

Councillor Ann Morgan asked what procedure would be followed if abuse was directed towards a member of staff.

Hardish Purewal replied that the expectation would be for the store manager to intervene and that if the abuse did not cease then the police would be contacted. She added that at least two members of staff would be present on site at all times.

Caron Mills, who had formally objected to the application, asked how the store would deal with repeat offenders.

Debbie Stacey replied that they would contact their Head Office and seek to write to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

The Sub-Committee is asked to consider passing the following resolution:

“the Sub-Committee having been satisfied that the public interest would be better served by not disclosing relevant information, in accordance with the provisions of Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, RESOLVES that the public shall be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business and the reporting of the meeting be prevented under Section 100A(5A), because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended.   

The members of the Sub-Committee agreed that they were satisfied that the public interest would be better served by not disclosing relevant information, in accordance with the provisions of Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

It was RESOLVED that the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business and the reporting of the meeting be prevented under Section 100A(5A), because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended.

The Lead Officer (Licensing) introduced the report to the Sub-Committee. He stated that they were being asked to determine whether a licensee remains fit and proper to hold their combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s licence.

The licensee was asked by the Chair to address them on the matters raised within the report and why he felt that he remained fit and proper to hold his licences.

The licensee stated that he felt that quite a lot of the allegations made against him were spurious as they had resulted in no further action being taken. He added that he was sorry any offence that had occurred as a result of his behaviour.

Councillor Toby Simon acknowledged that a number of the allegations were historical, but asked if the licensee could offer any reason why three incidents had occurred in the past year.

The licensee replied that he does take a mild mood corrective medication, but did not think that he has a bad attitude in general. He added that he had submitted letters of reference from parents that have praised his work with their children whilst doing school runs.

The Chair reminded the licensee that when driving his taxi he is representing the Council. He said that he was most concerned by his reported interactions with children (Annex I) and disabled people (Annex E).

The licensee said that he was not a vindictive or vicious person. He added that the incident that occurred with the disabled driver was when their vehicle was blocking an entrance to a car park. He said that at the time the vehicle was not displaying any disabled identification and that he had simply asked the driver to move the vehicle out of the way. He stated that he would not use bad language unless it was used towards him in the first place.

One of the complainants was present and he addressed the Sub-Committee. He explained that he was crossing the road (Orange Grove) and became aware of a vehicle moving towards him on purpose. He said that this was the licensee in question and that the licensee also verbally abused him and made offensive hand gestures.

He said that he then noticed the vehicle again a few minutes later having come around Grand Parade / Pierrepont Street. He explained that he approached the vehicle and that the altercation did not go well.

The Chair asked if he knew the licensee personally.

The complainant replied that he did not.

The Chair asked if he was 100% sure that the vehicle changed direction towards you.

The complainant replied yes.

The licensee said that as he was driving away from the Abbey taxi rank towards the High Street a pedestrian crossed in front of him. He stated that he did not change his direction towards them and that his window was closed and therefore could not have shouted the alleged abuse.

He said that when the complainant approached him after the incident it was the complainant that was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.