There were apologies for absence received from Councillors S M Le Chevalier and D P Murphy.

It was noted that, under Council Procedure Rule 4, Councillors B Gardner and M J Ovenden were appointed as substitutes for Councillors S M Le Chevalier and D P Murphy respectively.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

The Sub-Committee is requested to determine the application.

Applicant:   Nallarasa Navarajah

The following papers are attached:

(i)         Licensing Team Leader's report

(ii)        Appendix A – Application and Plan

(iii)       Appendix B – Map of the area

(iv)       Appendix C – Copies of representations

The procedure to be followed by the Sub-Committee is attached to this agenda.

The sub-committee considered an application from Mr N Navarajah in respect of Newsin, 36 Pencester Road, Dover CT16 1BW. The application was for the grant of a premises licence for:

Supply of Alcohol (for consumption OFF the premises)

On the basis of the representations of the applicant, his representative and other persons, the sub-committee found the following facts to be established:

(i)               There had been no representations made by any of the Responsible Authorities including the Police.

(ii)              There was no cumulative assessment of problems caused by licensed premises in the areas. As a result there was no special policy in respect of the location.

(iii)             Kent Police contacted the applicant during the consultation period and raised concerns that the area of Pencester Road was where vulnerable members of the street drinking community were congregating. Kent Police asked the applicant to revise the hours to fall in line with other outlets selling alcohol within the immediate area. The applicant agreed to amend the start time for alcohol sales to 08:00 hrs every day.

(iv)            Kent Police did not ask for a condition to be placed on the licence if granted to restrict the strength of alcohol and single can sales as this was not consistent with other outlets within the town centre area.

(v)             That, children consuming alcohol was a serious and concerning issue however there was no evidence for the sub-committee to conclude that the objective of protecting children from harm was undermined. It was noted that there had been no representation from those responsible for protecting children.

(vi)            Dover Town Council’s (DTC’s) evidence showed no causal link between crime statistics and alcohol.

(vii)           No complaints had been made to Dover District Council’s licensing team regarding sales of alcohol to children in that area by DTC or local residents.

In reaching its findings the sub-committee took into account the following:

(i)               Dover District Council’s Licensing Policy.

(ii)              The Licensing Act 2003 and the guidance given under Section 182 of the Act.

(iii)             Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

(iv)            The judgment in the case of Daniel Thwaites PLC V Wirral Borough Magistrates Court [2008] EWHC 38 (Admin).

RESOLVED:       That the application for a premises licence for Newsin, 36 Pencester Road, Dover CT16 1BW be GRANTED as follows:

Supply of Alcohol (for consumption OFF the premises)