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Report Title:

SUMMARY REPORT INTENDED TO PROVIDE THE READER WITH A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUE.  IDEALLY THIS SUMMARY SHOULD BE KEPT TO ONE PAGE, BUT THIS WILL NOT ALWAYS BE POSSIBLE

Agenda Item No:

 

1 - Summary of Report

Licence Reference

22/01328/LAPRE

 

Report To:

 

Committee Name

Licensing SUB – Committee

(UNDER THE LICENSING ACT 2003)

Date:

 

Committee Date

7th JUNE 2022

Report Title:

 

The title of the report

PIRAGATHI LIMITED, 2 - 3 APPLEDORE COURT, HILDENBOROUGH CRESCENT, MAIDSTONE, KENT, ME16 0PA

Report Author:

 

The name of the report author

Lorraine Neale

 

 

Summary:

 

 

No more than approximately 100 words setting out the nature of the report.  Please note that this will appear as a ‘pop up’ summary on the website.

1.    The Applicant – Piragathi Limited

2.    Type of authorisation applied for: A premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003.

3.    Proposed Licensable Activities and hours:

 

 

 

 

 

M

Supply of Alcohol (On and Off Sales)

Mon – Sun

 

7:00 – 23:00

 

O

Opening Hours

Mon – Sun

 

7:00 – 23:00

 



 

 

 

 

 


Affected Wards:

 

All those wards affected by the proposal.

ALLINGTON

Recommendations:

 

The distinction between a resolution or a recommendation to Council should be clear at the time the Committee is considering the item, this is preferable to the current arrangement where this is determined after the meeting.  Trevor Robertson and his staff will advise on this point. Recommendations should be brief and to the point.

 

 

The Committee is asked to determine the application and decide whether to grant the premises licence.

 

 

Policy Overview:

A short explanation of the policy context for the issues contained in the report, a cross-reference to the Corporate Plan or Community Strategy for example would be appropriate.  If new or revised policy this should be clearly stated.

 

The decision should be made with regard to the Secretary of State's Guidance and the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003. Where the decision departs from Policy or Guidance the departure must be directed solely at the attainment of the licensing objectives, and that such departure be supported by proper reasons.

 

Financial Implications:

A summary only please of the implications arising from the recommended action.  This should be agreed in consultation with the accountancy team.

 

Costs associated with processing the application are taken from licensing fee income.

Other Material Implications:

These depend on the report.  Authors are expected to consider:  Environmental, Legal, Human Rights, Staffing and Community Safety Issues.  However, summarise only those that are most relevant, keeping this brief.   The report itself should expand on these issues.

 

HUMAN RIGHTS: In considering this application it is appropriate to consider the rights of both the applicant and other parties, such as “responsible authorities” and\or “other persons” (objectors). The procedure for determining licences has a prescribed format to ensure fair representation of the relevant facts by all parties.

 

LEGAL: Under the Licensing Act 2003 the Licensing Authority has a duty to exercise licensing control of relevant premises.

 

 

Background Papers:

This should list all relevant background documents which support the report.

 

Licensing Act 2003

DCMS Guidance Documents issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 as amended

Maidstone Borough Council Statement of Licensing Policy

 

Contacts:

e-mail address and telephone number of the report author and/or principal contact

Mrs Lorraine Neale at: lorraineneale@maidstone.gov.uk – tel: 01622 602528


ALWAYS START ON A NEW PAGE AS THIS WILL APPEAR SEPARATELY FROM THE SUMMARY ON THE WEB-SITE

Agenda Item No. 1

 

Report Title:

 

The title of the report, same as on the summary

PIRAGATHI LIMITED, 2 - 3 APPLEDORE COURT, HILDENBOROUGH CRESCENT, MAIDSTONE, KENT, ME16 0PA

 

Application: For a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003. (Appendix 1).

 

 

Use plain sequential paragraph numbering but do not number the paragraph headings

 

Purpose of the Report

This section should be brief and should summarise the reason for the report and the issue it is addressing .

 

The report advises Members of an application for a Premises Licence to be granted under the Licensing Act 2003 (Appendix 1), made by Piragathi Limited, in respect of the premises 2 - 3 Appledore Court, Hildenborough Crescent, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 0PA (Appendix 2 ) in respect of which 1 objection has been received from other parties (Appendix 3).  

 

Issue to be Decided

The purpose of this section is to enable all Members to recognise immediately what they are being asked to consider.

 

            Members are asked to determine whether to:

1)    grant as applied for

2)    grant with conditions

3)    exclude any licensable activity

4)    reject the DPS

5)    or reject the application.

The background section forms an important element of the report.  It should set the scene explaining the circumstances leading up to the report.   It is here that authors should refer to the policy context for the report (what was previously called ‘strategic overview’), ensuring that this is consistent with the summary page.

 

Authors need to be aware, however, that it is pertinent and material information that should be included. If there are large amounts of background information that may be of interest but do not materially affect the decision or recommendations, then these should be made available as Background Information or include the most pertinent as appendices to the report.

 

The background section should not dominate the report.  Use sub-paragraph headings highlighting these in italic script where this will help to identify issues and make the report more readable.

 

2     The relevant sections are Part 3 S16 -24 of The Licensing Act 2003 and                                         section 4 of The Licensing Act 2003 in particular the Licensing Objectives:

·      The prevention of crime and disorder.

·      Public Safety

·      The prevention of public nuisance; and

·      The protection of children from harm

3.   The application has been correctly advertised in the local press and notices displayed at the      premises for the required period.

4.  There were no representations received from a responsible authorities.

 

5.   There is 1 representation from other parties (Appendix 3).   

6.    The table below illustrates the relevant representation which has been received

Responsible Authority/Other Party

Licensing Objective

Associated Documents

Appendix

Laura Green

Crime & Disorder

Public Safety

Public Nuisance

Children from Harm

 

e-mail

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The concern appears that granting a licence at these premises would increase the level of anti social behaviour in the neighbourhood. The premises could encourage people who buy alcohol late to remain in the area because of a local nearby park. They could potentially use the park to consume their alcohol and ultimately cause disturbance, there is also the potential for criminal activity, criminal damage, theft, burglary, assault and drug taking.

The store could also increase the volume of traffic to the area and to a later time which would increase the  danger for residents and children crossing the road. It would also be detrimental to residents with regard to traffic noise continuing later into the evening and increased vehicle parking causing nuisance to residents.

7.   Members are advised that applications cannot be refused in whole or in part, or conditions attached to the licence unless it is appropriate to do so to promote the licensing objectives.

8.   The Operating Schedule submitted by the Applicant has addressed the licensing objectives in the following manner:

                     a)  General – all four licensing objectives: 

 

On first appointment, all staff employed at the premises will receive training on the Licensing Act 2003 including input on preventing underage sales, preventing sales of alcohol to people who are drunk and any other relevant matters. Training shall be regularly refreshed at no less than annual intervals. The training must be recorded and be accessible on the premises and made available for inspection upon request of a Police Officer or an authorised officer of the licensing authority or (in the case of online training) within 48 hours.

 

b)  The prevention of crime and disorder: 

 

A CCTV system will be in operation at the premises and recorded images shall be retained for a period of 31 days. CCTV images will be provided to the police and other responsible authorities as soon as practicable and in any case within 48 hours of a request for such images, subject of the provisions of the DPA.

 

c) Public Safety:

 

An incident register will be maintained at the premises and made available to the authorities on request.

 

d) The prevention of public nuisance

 

     A register of refusals of alcohol will be maintained at the premises. The register will be made available for inspection by the Police and other responsible authority.

 

     e) The Protection of children from harm: 

 

     The premises will adopt a 'Challenge 25' policy. This means that if a customer purchasing alcohol appears to be under the age of 25, they will be asked for proof of their age, to prove that they are 18 years or older.

 

Posters will be on display advising customers of the 'Challenge 25'policy.

The only forms of identification that will be accepted at the premises are a passport, UK photo-card driving licences, military ID and cards bearing the 'PASS' hologram.

 

 

 

9.      Relevant sections of The Guidance issued under section 182 of The Licensing Act 2003;

  

Chapters 8 & 9 Premises Licences & Determining Applications

  
Chapter 10 Conditions NB: There is Home Office Supporting Guidance on Pools of Conditions but this is not statutory guidance.

 

Relevant policy statements contained in the Licensing Authority’s Statement of Licensing Policy:

            17.10 Crime and Disorder

            17.19 Public Safety

            17.22. Prevention of Public Nuisance

17.26. Children from Harm

           

           

CONDITIONS TO PROMOTE THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND DISORDER.

17.10        Under the Act the Licensing Authority has a duty to promote the licensing  objectives, and, a further duty under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to do all it reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder in the borough. 

17.11        Wholesale of alcohol. Since 1 April 2017, businesses which sell alcohol (for

example, retailers of alcohol and trade buyers) need to ensure that the UK

wholesalers that they buy alcohol from have been approved by HMRC under the

Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS). They will need to check their

wholesalers Unique Registration Number (URN) against the HMRC online database. This is an ongoing obligation and if a business is found to have bought alcohol from an unapproved wholesaler, they may be liable to a penalty or could even face a criminal prosecution and their alcohol stock may be seized. Any trader who buys alcohol from a wholesaler for onward sale to the general public (known as a ‘trade buyer’) does not need to register unless they sell alcohol to other businesses.

 

17.12        Examples of trade buyers would be pubs, clubs, restaurants, cafes, retailers and

hotels. However, they will need to check that the wholesaler they purchase alcohol from is registered with HMRC.

 

17.13        The applicant will be expected to detail in their operating schedule how they will prevent  crime and disorder on and close to the premises.  Such detail should reflect the licensable activities on offer, location and character of the area, the nature of the premises use and the range of customers likely to use the premises.

These may include, but are not limited to, the following:

•         Prevention of disorderly conduct and anti-social behaviour

•         Prevention of underage drinking

•         Prevention of sales of alcohol to intoxicated customers

•         Prevention of drunkenness both on and in the vicinity of the premises

•         Prevention of drug use and drug dealing

•         Restriction to responsible drinks promotions

•         Use of safety glass

•         Inclusion of a wind-down time following alcohol sales period

•         Adequate seating to discourage “vertical drinking”

•         The offer of food and snacks or other entertainment or occupation to discourage persistent drinking

 

17.14        In busier premises the Licensing Authority would usually expect to see a short (e.g.30 mins)  ‘wind down’ or ‘drinking up’  period allowed for after the cessation time of entertainment and alcohol sales as this is effective in assisting in a reduction in noise and exuberance of customers before leaving the premises.

17.15        Applicants will be expected to seek advice from the Police and the Licensing Authority will give appropriate weight to requests by the Police for premises to be protected by SIA registered door staff subject to the provision of relevant evidence. Where the Licensing Authority determines after consultation with the police that a premises is one that warrants additional security and monitoring it would expect applicants to include the provision of SIA approved door staff at the premises at appropriate times.  Relevant premises are usually those used mainly for drinking alcohol, have later opening hours and are situated within the Town Centre night time economy area. 

17.16        Where appropriate, applicants for licences in the Town Centre areas providing mainly alcohol, music and dancing would be expected to consider  inclusion of  a provision of safety glasses to prevent a risk of injury on the rare occasion that a glass may be used as a weapon.

17.17       The use of CCTV should be considered where appropriate or on the advice and recommendations of the Police and to a quality and standard approved by the Police for evidential  purposes.  Licensees will be expected to fully comply with the requirements of the Information Commissioners Office and the Data Protection Act 1998 in respect of any surveillance equipment installed at a premises.

17.18       In any application resulting in hearing the sub-committee will consider each application on its individual merits and determine the imposition of conditions that are appropriate to promotion of the licensing objectives.

CONDITIONS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC SAFETY. 

17.19        The applicant will be expected to show how the physical safety of persons   attending the premises will be protected and to offer any appropriate steps in the operating schedule to promote this.

17.20        Such steps will not replace the statutory obligation on the applicant to comply with all relevant legislation under the Health and Safety at Work etc.  Act 1973 or under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2004.

17.21        Applicants will be expected to have carried out the necessary risk assessments to ensure safe occupancy levels for the premises.  Where a representation from the Fire Authority suggests that for the promotion of the Public Safety objective a maximum occupancy should be applied, the Licensing Authority will consider adding such a limit as a licence condition.

Where appropriate an operating schedule should specify occupancy limits for the following types of licensed premises:

(i)               High Volume Vertical Drinking e.g. premises that provide mainly stand up drinking facilities with limited seating/table space and the primary activity is the sale of alcohol.

(ii)              Nightclubs

(iii)             Cinemas

(iv)            Theatres.

(v)             Other premises where regulated entertainment is likely to attract a large number of people.

(vi)            Where conditions of occupancy have arisen due to representations received.

 

CONDITIONS TO PROMOTE THE PREVENTION OF PUBLIC NUISANCE

17.22    The applicant will be expected to detail any appropriate and proportionate steps to prevent nuisance and disturbance arising from the licensable activities at the premises and from the customers using the premises.

17.23   The applicant will be expected to demonstrate that they have considered the         following and included steps to prevent public nuisance:

  (i)         Proximity of local residents to the premises

  (ii)        Licensable activities proposed and customer base

  (iii)        Hours and nature of operation

  (iv)       Risk and Prevention of noise leakage from the premises from equipment,                            customers and machinery

  (v)        Prevention of noise from customers leaving the premises and customer                               pick up points outside premises and from the Car Park.

  (vi)       Availability of public transport to and from the premises

  (vii)      Delivery and collection times and locations.

  (viii)      Impact of external security or general lighting on residents.

  (ix)       History of management of and complaints about the premises.

  (x)        Applicant’s previous success in preventing Public Nuisance.

  (xi)       Outcomes of discussions with the relevant Responsible Authorities.

  (xii)      Impact of location, noise and contamination from outside smoking areas                              on neighbours and other customers

  (xiii)      Collection of litter arising from the premises

17.24      Steps to prevent public nuisance may include a range of options including noise               limiting devices, sound insulation, wind down periods, acoustic lobbies,     management of smoking areas etc.

17.25      Steps will differ depending on the individual premises and activities and it is for the applicant to ensure that reasonable, effective and appropriate steps are included within the operating schedule.

CONDITIONS TO PROMOTE THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM HARM. 

 

17.26      Applicants will be expected to detail any appropriate and proportionate steps to protect children at the premises from any harm. The Licensing Authority recognises the right of licensees (serving alcohol) to allow accompanied children into their premises.  The Licensing Authority would not seek to restrict access by children (above that specified in the Act) unless it is necessary for the prevention of physical, moral or psychological harm.

 

17.27      Steps to protect children from harm must be carefully considered for inclusion where:

(i) There is entertainment or services of an adult nature provided.

(ii) There have been previous convictions for under age sales of alcohol.

(iii) There has been a known association with drug taking or dealing.

(iv) There is a significant element of gambling on the premises.

(v) There is a presumption that children under 18 should not be permitted entry such as to nightclubs (apart from when specific events are held for under 18’s).

(vi) Outcomes of discussions with relevant Responsible Authorities suggest such steps are applicable.

17.28      Nothing in the Licensing Act prevents licensees from excluding children from a licensed premises and no condition can be added to require the admission of children. 

17.29      Where there are no matters that give rise to concern in respect of children at premises the Licensing Authority would expect to see the relevant box on an application form completed to specify NONE.

10     Options

Legal options open to members –

 

1. Grant the licence subject to conditions as are consistent with the operating schedule        accompanying the application.

2. Grant the licence with modified conditions

3. Exclude a licensable activity

4. Refuse to specify the DPS

5. REJECT the whole or part of the application

Members of the Licensing Act 2003 – Licensing Sub – Committee are reminded of their duty under section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to consider the crime and disorder implications of their decisions and the Licensing Authority’s responsibility to co – operate in the reduction of crime and disorder in the Borough

Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1988 states:

"Without prejudice to any other obligation imposed on it, it shall be the duty of each authority to which this section applies to exercise its various functions with due regard to the likely effect of the exercise of those function on, and the need to do all that it reasonably can prevent, crime and disorder in its area”.

11.      Implications Assessment

The decision should be made with regard to the Secretary of State’s Guidance and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003.  Where the decision departs from either the Guidance or the policy clear and cogent reasons must be given.  Members should be aware that if such a departure is made the risk of appeal/challenge is increased.

12.      Human Rights

While all Convention Rights must be considered, those which are of particular relevance to the application are:

·      Article 8 – Right to respect for private and family life

·      Article 1 of the First Protocol – Protection of Property

·      Article 6(1) – Right to Fair Hearing

·      Article 10 – Freedom of Expression

The full text of each Article is given in the attached Appendices

 

13.      Conclusion

Members must ensure that the application is considered on its merits, as well as against the relevant guidance, policy and statutory framework.

14.      List of Appendices

                   Appendix 1         Application Form

                   Appendix 2         Plan of Premises

                   Appendix 3         Other parties representation.

                   Appendix 4         Plan of area   

                   Appendix 5         Human Rights Articles           

                   Appendix 6         Order of Proceedings

 

15.      Appeals

The applicant or any other person(objector) may appeal the Licensing Act 2003 Sub Committee’s decision within 21 days beginning with the day on which the Appellant is notified.  All/any appeals must be lodged with the Magistrates’ Court.  Parties should be aware that they MAY incur an Adverse Costs Order should they bring an appeal.
This section sets out the matters which need to be understood when making a decision on the issue.  These may include any legislative, financial, human rights, staffing, environmental, or community safety issues but only if

Use sub-paragraph headings to identify these issues and tables to summarise any financial implications where this will aid understanding.

 

Refer to any implications for current council polices particularly if the report suggests a change in policy or a new approach to an issue.

 

Report authors will be expected to have taken advice from the appropriate people and to agree the wording of implications with those advisors.

 

 

 

 

Contact:

Email:

 

 

Senior Licensing Officer

lorraineneale@maidstone.gov.uk