Agenda and draft minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor Shuttleworth be elected Chair for the duration of the meeting.

There were no items of urgent business received.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Goodwin.

There were no declarations of interest received.

There were no public questions received.

RESOLVED that the order of proceedings be noted.

Consideration was given to the report of the Principal Licensing Officer which asked the Panel to determine an application for a Variation of a Premises Licence in respect of Chillz Restaurant Bar & lounge, 476-478 Oldham Road, Failsworth M35 0FH.

The Panel was informed that on the 21^st November 2022 the applicant applied for the grant of a premises licence for Chillz Restaurant, Bar & lounge. The last day for representations in respect of the application was the 19^th December 2022. Representations had been received and were attached at Appendix 3 to the report.

The Panel were asked to consider the Authority’s Licensing Policy Statement. Their attention was drawn to Section 8 – Public Nuisance. They were also asked to consider the statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The Panel were reminded that the steps available to them were:

a) Grant the application as applied for with or without the amendments agreed with Greater Manchester Police.

b) Grant the application but modify the operating schedule in relation to hours, days, conditions or activities.

c) To reject the application.

Any steps appropriate to promote the licensing objectives should be specified. If no steps were appropriate the application should be granted.

In arriving at a decision Members must have regard to the relevant provisions of national guidance and the licensing policy statement and reasons must be given for any departure. The decision should be based on the individual merits of the application.

The Panel heard from the applicant, who informed them that the premises had been used as a restaurant since 2005 prior to taking over the premises in 2020. The premises had never had police issues in the past and extensive work and visits with the Licensing Department and Greater Manchester Police had been undertaken prior to the takeover to ensure all the licensing objectives would be met. The premises’ focus was as a restaurant with the lounge being used as an overflow or for private functions. Access into the restaurant was gained via the bridge with an internal staircase to get to the lounge. The premises did have a fire door on the ground floor; however, this was not used for access and was always manned by security. The windows were also kept locked to avoid sound leakage.

The following questions were put to the applicant:

·         What was the policy in regard to children being in the premises? The applicant stated that all under 16’s needed to be out of the premises by 10pm unless booked as a private function. Security would arrive at 9.30pm and would begin to notify families with children to vacate by 10.00pm.

·         Was there proof of a soundcheck? The applicant stated that there was no proof, however the premises did have soundproofing done as it was another reason for the premises being chosen.

·         What was the parking arrangements? The applicant stated that the premises owned a car park across the road that could accommodate 20  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.