Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15^th November 2017 were confirmed by the members present and then signed by the Chairman.

To receive any apologies for absence

There were no apologies for absence. 

To receive any declarations of interest

There were no declarations of interests

The Sub-Committee were required to consider an application to vary a premises licence for the following premises:

Shell Budgens Berkhamsted
Cross Oaks Service Station

345 High Street
Berkhamsted

The Chairman introduced herself, the members on the Sub-Committee and the officers present.

The Chairman asked the members of the Sub-Committee to confirm that they had read the agenda. The members of the committee confirmed they had.  

The Chairman asked S Mcdonald if the legal requirements had been complied with and S Mcdonald confirmed they had.

The Chairman asked S Mcdonald if she had anything to add to the report.

S Mcdonald explained that the sub-committee had before them an application for the variation of a premises licence for Shell Budgens Berkhamsted, Cross Oaks Service Station. The application and accompanying documents were set out on page 6 of the agenda onwards. The options available to the sub-committee were set out at paragraph 4 of the report, and members were reminded that any steps taken should be considered appropriate in order to promote one or more of the licensing objectives. Furthermore, the sub-committee needed to give clear reasons for any decision made.

The Chairman invited the applicant’s representatives to address the sub-committee.

Mr Charalambides said this was a straightforward application at an existing site which currently has a licence to sell alcohol between 6am – 11pm, seven days a week. The proposal is to have a 24 hour licence to reflect the opening times. This is due to recent investment in the premise and the convenience element of the store has transferred to Budgens. He said that alcohol sales are limited to a small area of the shop with ambient and chilled shelves and spirits located behind the counter. There are no promotions of alcohol in the service station and the price of the alcohol is slightly higher than the surrounding area due to the convenience. Shell have never had a review or prosecution on their alcohol licences and there are a number of preventative measures in store to prevent the irresponsible selling off alcohol. For example, the store is covered well by CCTV and the store is subject to external test purchasing. This application has not been subject to any objections from responsible authorities or had any additional conditions added. Mr Charalambides said he recognised the concerns raised by objectors but said there was a difference between concerns and fears and he urged the committee to grant the application.

The Chairman invited the objector to make his submission to the sub-committee.

Councillor Armytage said he was representing Berkhamsted Town Council. The planning committee had debated this proposal and had objected on the basis of local and national policy. He said this area already suffers with drink fuelled noise and the extended hours would increase anti-social behaviour. There are a lot of elderly residents in this area and so the application is inappropriate.

The Chairman asked S Mcdonald if the Licensing department had received any complaints.

S Mcdonald confirmed there were no recorded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.