Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Officer read out the procedure.

RESOLVED that a Vice-Chair was not required on this occasion.

Apologies were received from Cllr Douglas Nicol, for whom Cllr Dine Romero substituted.

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

(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 2, A and 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 before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

There were none.

There was none.

These were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

These were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair drew attention to the Licensing Procedure, copies of which had been made available to those attending the meeting.

Applicant: Stefan Gorda

Responsible Authority: Avon and Somerset Police, represented by Martin Purchase (Liquor Licensing Officer)

The parties confirmed that they had received and understood the licensing procedure.

The Licensing Officer summarised the application, which was for a new premises licence authorising the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises. A representation had been received from Avon and Somerset Police, who had proposed additional conditions to further the licensing objectives. The Applicant had agreed in writing to these additional conditions.

The applicant stated his case. He said that he wished to move the wine shop he currently operated in Bristol to Midsomer Norton. The premises were a small independent wine shop, which were intended to be upmarket; his philosophy was that people should drink less, but drink better quality drinks. He would not sell beer or cider in cans. His customers were not young people.  He had met Mr Purchase and had a long discussion with him about the application and had accepted the additional conditions.

A Member asked the applicant if he would be prepared to move downmarket if the business was struggling. He replied that it that because of his overheads, it was not worth his while to sell cheap drink. Generally wines would not be sold for less than £10, though he might be able to stock one or two cheaper wines without affecting his business.

Mr Purchase stated the case for the Police. He said that he believed the conditions proposed by the Police were proportionate and necessary to further the licensing objectives in Midsomer Norton, which suffered alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour throughout the day.

A Member asked about the condition requiring spirits and fortified wines to be displayed in an area not subject to self-service. Mr Purchase replied that experience showed that these products were very attractive to a certain type of customer and could be subject to theft. 

The parties were invited to sum up, but neither wished to.

Following an adjournment, it was RESOLVED to grant the license subject to the mandatory conditions, conditions consistent with the operating schedule and conditions agreed between the applicant and the Police as being appropriate and proportionate in furthering the licencing objectives.

Authority was delegated to the Licensing Officer to issue the licence accordingly.