Resolved:       That Cllr. Clark be appointed Chairman of the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

(Edenbridge South and West)

The Hearing gave consideration to a report by the Community and Planning Services Director giving details of an application under the Licensing Act 2003 for a premises licence at the Mill Hill Service Station and Londis Convenience Store, Petrol Filling Station, Mill Hill, Edenbridge, Kent. It was noted that objections had been received and that accordingly the application had been referred to the Sub-Committee for determination.

The Hearing heard from the applicant’s representative who explained that the licence would allow the provision of a full range of convenience products for local people and therefore assist the viability of the applicant's business at a time when service stations were struggling to remain profitable. The agent felt that the representations made had not addressed the 4 Licensing Objectives and he noted that there were only 3 comments from the 34 dwellings in the immediate vicinity to the premises. He added that any existing problems from alcohol in the area were not due to the applicant and that any concerns about existing anti-social behaviour should be raised with the police.

The agent explained that the site manager was an experienced retailer with a personal licence who already sold age-restricted goods. The Applicant, Petrocell was also experienced and had other Licensed Premises. They had not failed any test-purchases and no licences had been revoked under the Licensing Act 2003.

The Sub-Committee noted that none of the objectors had attended the Hearing.

Members were concerned the CCTV might not cover the entirety of the alcohol cabinets. The Managing Director of the Petrocell was happy to move or add further cameras to remedy this.

In response to questions the Agent confirmed they would run a Challenge 25 age-verification policy. Members were handed a copy of the training manual used to train staff. The current refusal book was used only once or twice per week.

The Agent for the Applicant clarified that in the period July to December 2011 the shop had 70,500 transactions which included shop items and 61,000 which included fuel. 21,000 of the transactions included both goods from the shop and fuel whereas 44,000 involved just fuel.

At 11.12 a.m. the Hearing Members and the Council’s Legal Advisor withdrew to consider the issues raised.

At 11.54 a.m. the Hearing Members and the Council’s Legal Advisor returned to the Council Chamber.

It was moved, seconded and unanimously-

Resolved:       That a Premises Licence in respect of the Mill Hill Service Station and Londis Convenience Store, Petrol Filling Station, Mill Hill, Edenbridge, Kent, subject to the conditions contained in the licence attached as an appendix to these minutes, be granted.