Agenda and minutes

LSC.1/20           

RESOLVED

That Cllr Brown be appointed Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

Members are invited to declare any personal or disclosable pecuniary interests, including the nature and extent of such interests; they may have in any items to be considered at this meeting;

LSC.2/20         

Members and officers were invited to declare any interests in the items of business to be considered during the course of the meeting.  There were none.

LSC.3/20         

The Sub-Committee considered a report that sought to determine an application to vary the premises licence at Morrisons Service Station, Station Road, Totnes.

The Licensing Specialist introduced the report and outlined the details of the application (as stated in the application form at Appendix A, B (i), B (ii), and C of the presented agenda report).  Whilst other matters had been raised during the consultation phase, the Licensing Specialist reminded the Sub-Committee that its decision had to be based upon the four licensing objectives.

AOSB, under age sales, noise and disturbance, litter.  There were no representations from responsible authorities.

1.       Address by the Applicant

In his address, the applicant provided some background information to the establishment of the business and proceeded to make specific reference to:-

-          The service station already being able to open 24 hours a day and sell alcohol for 18 hours a day.  Service station would now be opening for 24 hours.

-          Reason for extended hours was due to impact of the pandemic resulting in increased number of visitors to the region, and allowed people to shop when they felt most comfortable.

-          Measures Morrisons would put in place included:  full digital CCTV, panic buttons, link to main store, training for staff, operation of 25 years minimum age limit for buying, choice of alcohol for sale to avoid strong ciders etc.

-          Morrisons had no current problems with alcohol sales and while the applicant accepted there were concerns over the sale of alcohol felt this would be controllable by sales. The service station was not currently selling high percentage beers and ciders but the applicant confirmed they would be happy to accept a condition confirming this

-          Letters of Representations, in his opinion, did not address any likely affect

-          The Applicant confirmed they were not seeking a night hatch as it would be too small for many purchases

-          No additional policies introduced as there are existing policies in place that will continue to operate through extended hours

2.        Address by Objectors

At this point, the Objectors who had registered a letter of representation were invited to make their submissions to the meeting.  In so doing, the following points were raised:-

-          The Service Station is close to an old people’s complex which could cause them to be intimidated

-          It is also close to hospital

-          Objectors felt that there were plenty of opportunities in town to buy alcohol during ‘normal’ times

-          This license could potentially increase crime and disorder

-          It could create a hot spot for gathering

-          Totnes Connection Hub work with homeless and addicts and said they feared extended opening would impact on accessing these people

-          Large green space belonging to the garage could be used by homeless and youth if alcohol were to be sold during the night

3.        Address by the Town Council Representative

At this point, the Town Council Representative was invited to make his submissions to the meeting.  In  ...  view the full minutes text for item LSC.3/20

LSC.4/20        

The Sub-Committee considered a report that sought to determine an application to vary the premises licence at Morrisons, Coronation Road, Totnes.

The Licensing Specialist introduced the report and outlined the details of the application (as stated in the application form at Appendix A, B (i), B (ii), and C of the presented agenda report).  Whilst other matters had been raised during the consultation phase, the Licensing Specialist reminded the Sub-Committee that its decision had to be based upon the four licensing objectives.

1.        Address by the Applicant

In his address, the applicant provided some background information to the establishment of the business and proceeded to make specific reference to:-

-          The similar application which had been made earlier

-          The store could already open 24hours a day, could sell alcohol for 18 hours a day with no issue.  Trading currently 7am to 11pm but Morrisons wanted the flexibility to trade for 24 hours

-          Alcohol was currently on sale from the store with no issue in terms of disturbance

-          Morrisons was looking to set up hot refreshments at night, but would not be opening café

-          This application was hoped to help with influx of tourists.  The applicant confirmed that many other tourist areas in the South West had already approved new requests for 24 hour sales

-          Corona virus pandemic was impacting on shopping, and the applicant hoped to increase available hours to give increased options to shoppers so they were able to shop when they felt most comfortable to do so

-          Age 25 in operation, along with till checks and training

-          Morrisons have never had any complaints over licensing and guard licenses diligently as a reputational issue

-          The store would risk assess to evaluate the need for any additional security

2.       Address by Objectors

At this point, the Objectors who had registered a letter of representation were invited to make their submissions to the meeting.  In so doing, the following points were raised:-

-        From earlier representation:

o  Close to old people complex which could cause them to be intimidated

o  Close to hospital

o  Plenty of opportunities in town to buy alcohol during ‘normal’ time

o  Potential for increase in crime and disorder

o  Could create a hot spot for gathering

o  Totnes Connection Hub work with homeless and addicts feared extended opening would impact on accessing these people

o  Large green space belonging to the garage could be used by homeless and youth if alcohol were to be sold during the night

-          From afternoon Representative:

o  A nearby resident stated that he had been complaining to Morrisons for the last three or four years regarding the noise of deliveries.  He now slept on the other side of his house to count this.  The applicant offered to get the Manager to contact him for the noise complaints which have gone unanswered so far for which the resident thanked him.

o  The resident stated that he had experienced  ...  view the full minutes text for item LSC.4/20