Agenda and minutes

The Sub Committee were advised of the unavailability of both the Chair and Vice-Chair for this meeting, and the need to elect a Member to preside as Acting Chair. The Sub Committee unanimously voted to elect Councillor Mrs Dianne Price to preside as Chair for the duration of the meeting.

Introductions were made and the Acting Chair reminded those present that the meeting was being recorded and would be made available following the meeting via the Council’s website – Click Here to View

Apologies for absence was received from A. Dicks (Licensing Authority as a Responsible Authority) and D. Lewis (Children’s Services).

            There were no declarations of interest made at the beginning or during the course of the meeting.

The Legal Advisor to the Sub Committee outlined the procedure for the meeting, including the order of representations and the opportunities for all parties to ask questions. 

Mrs Kathryn Hopkins (Senior Licensing Officer) presented the report and outlined the application for a new premises licence at NNN (an off-licence store), 23 Shingrig Road, Nelson, CF46 6DY.

Members were advised that the application sought to permit the supply of alcohol (off sales only) between Monday to Saturday 08:00 – 22:00 and Sunday 09:00-22:00.  Mrs Hopkins outlined the Licensing Act 2003 requirements in relation to the advertisement of applications and was satisfied that all relevant requirements had been complied with.

During the 28-day consultation period, representations were received from Gwent Police and Children’s Services, together with the Licensing Authority in their role as Responsible Authority who had given their apologies for today’s hearing.  These were summarised in Section 1.6 of the report.  A representation was also received from one local resident who had objected to the application owing to concerns around parking, potential noise increase and littering, and the applicant had responded to these as set out in Appendix 9 of the report to allay any concerns.

Attention was drawn to the local policy considerations as set out in the report and to the way in which the Sub-Committee would deal with the application.  Members were referred to the recommendation set out in the Licensing report, which considered the position of Responsible Authorities and their advocated comments as opposed to any objection, and also the comments of the local resident.  It was therefore recommended that the application be granted as applied for, subject to a number of agreed conditions as set out in the report.

There were no questions received for Licensing and representations were then invited from the applicant, NNN Stores.

Mr C. Grunert (John Gaunt and Partners) spoke on behalf of his client (Mr N. Thavarasa) and explained that the premises had previously been a childcare centre and his client was hoping to reinstate this as a retail outlet.  The convenience store would offer a wide range of products and alcohol would be on offer, but it was emphasised that this would not dominate sales or compete in range and price with supermarkets.  Mr Grunert explained that the store was looking to offer convenience to elderly customers who do not drive, and that the premises would bring a business and their family into an empty unit. 

Mr Grunert referred to the concerns around parking and highlighted that this was not a licensing consideration but did confirm that his client would advise customers not to park outside the shop.  In regards to potential noise nuisance, Mr Thavarasa was prepared to put up notices asking customers to leave quietly.  He explained that the premises is located on a main arterial road and he did not expect that customers leaving would add to the background levels of noise.

Mr Grunert referred to the recommendations made by Gwent Police and confirmed that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.