There were no apologies for absence.

There were no substitute members present.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Trzebinski be elected as Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

Councillor Joy disclosed that she personally knew one of the interested parties and that she would approach the hearing with an open mind with consideration to all of the officers advice and presentations made.

There were no disclosures by Members and Officers.

RESOLVED: That item 7 be taken in public as proposed. However, it was agreed that the sub-committee would retire to closed session to consider the application when the decision would then be announced in public.

The persons participating at the hearing were identified as follows:

Chairman – Councillor Ziggy Trzebinksi

Sub-Committee Member – Councillor Patrick Coates

Sub-Committee Member – Couillor Denise Joy

Senior Licensing Officer – Lorraine Neale

Legal Advisor – Helen Ward

Democratic Services Officer – Oliviya Parfitt

The Applicant and their Representative – EngarshalSinnarasa and Frank Fender.

Interested Parties – Cllr Val Springett & Graham Barrett

The Chairman explained that:

The Sub-Committee would allow all parties to put their case fully and make full submission within a reasonable time frame.

The procedure would take the form of a discussion led by the Sub-Committee and they would usually permit cross-examination within a reasonable timeframe.

Any person attending the hearing who behaved in a disruptive manner may be directed to leave the hearing by the Sub-Committee (including temporarily) after which, such person may submit to the Sub-Committee any information which that person would have been entitled to give orally had the person not been required to leave the meeting. If this was not possible, they may be permitted to speak at the Chairman’s invitation.

The Senior Licensing Officer outlined the application and introduced the applicant Engarshal Sinnarasa. The Senior Licensing officer stated that members had been asked to consider the application for a new premises licence under the Licensing Act 2002 for the Green Convenience Store, 4 The Parade. The Green, Bearsted, Kent, M14 4DN.

The Senior Licensing Officer also stated that the application was made for the sale and supply of alcohol of sales only Monday to Sunday 06:00 to 23: 00 hours. There were no comments received from any of the responsible authorities.

The applicant’s representative gave their opening statement on behalf of the application and explained that:

• Between the years 2004 – 2009 the applicant worked at Budgens supermarket which was licensed to sell alcohol.
• Between 2009 – 2010, the applicant worked in a petrol station which was licensed to sell alcohol.
• In February 2010, the applicant took over a convenience store which was licensed to sell alcohol between 6 am to 11 pm.
• In 2014, the applicant took over another convenience store in Bearsted on Ashford Road and held the premises license.
• In 2019, the applicant took over another shop and became the premises license holder.

The applicant’s representative stated that the applicant had never caused any concerns for any of the authorities through the operation of his other licensed premises and had an excellent track record. The measures proposed to meet the licensing objectives, such as ‘Challenge 25’, were outlined. It was reiterated that no representations had been made by the responsible authorities, with no evidence provided to support the concerns expressed by the interested parties’ representations.

The applicant’s representative stated that the premises was unlikely to remain open until 11p.m., particularly during the winter where the likely closing time would be around 8-9 p.m., but that this would provide the flexibility needed to sell alcohol later into the evening.

In response, the panel enquired about the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.