Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Kilmory, Lochgilphead

Contact: Fiona McCallum Tel. No. 01546 604392 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

An apology for absence was intimated from Councillor Rory Colville

2.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

None declared.

3.

CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982: APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF LATE HOURS CATERING LICENCE (K WAI WONG, ORIENTAL EXPRESS, HELENSBURGH)

Minutes:

Prior to consideration of business the Chair advised that a late letter of objection had been received and he invited the Head of Governance and Law to explain the procedure that would need to be followed in respect of this late representation.

 

Mr Reppke advised that the late representation in proper form had been received just before the start of this meeting and that the Objectors were in attendance to explain why this was late.  He explained that it would be for the Committee to hear why the objection was late and to decide whether or not to take it into consideration.  He advised that if the Committee were minded to take this late letter of objection into consideration they would need to adjourn the meeting to another day to allow the Applicant the proper period of notice for consideration of this objection.

 

The Chair invited the Objectors to explain why their representation was submitted late.  They confirmed that they had not realised this licence was up for renewal and that it had only been brought to their attention recently.

 

The Chair invited the Applicant’s representative to comment on the Objectors’ reasons for the late representation.  Mr McIver advised that in all the years this is the latest objection he has ever encountered.  He advised that it would appear that the appropriate notice advising of this renewal had been displayed on the premises from 13 June until 4 July 2012 with objectors and supporters having 28 days from 13 June 2012 to comment and that to wait until 19 September 2012, with the greatest respect, was beyond the pale.

 

The Chair then invited the Committee to consider whether or not they wished to take this late letter of objection into consideration.

 

Councillor Hall advised that the only opportunity for people to see the renewal notice in the window would be if they were looking at the menu.  He advised that in order to get the full picture of the impact this licence will have on the community would be to hear all objections.

 

Councillor Currie advised he had the opposite view and that he could see no reason why the Objectors waited 3 months to submit their objection so it should not be heard.

 

Councillor Freeman advised that he sympathised with the views of Councillor Currie.  He stated that if the Committee were to accept this late objection this would mean there would be a need to put the hearing back to another day which could lead to the Applicant incurring additional costs in respect of legal representation.

 

Councillor Kinniburgh referred to lack of knowledge of Objectors in respect of procedures and that in his opinion their objection should be heard.

 

Councillor Trail sympathised with Councillor Currie.  He advised that the notice went up on 13 June 2012 and must have remained there until now if the Objectors have only just seen it.  He advised that in his opinion rules must be adhered to.

 

Motion

 

To agree that the late objection should be taken into consideration and that the hearing be scheduled for another day.

 

Moved by Councillor Fred Hall, seconded by Councillor David Kinniburgh.

 

Amendment

 

To agree not to take the late objection into consideration.

 

Moved by Councillor Robin Currie, seconded by Councillor Richard Trail.

 

The Amendment was carried by 8 votes to 5 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

 

The Chair outlined the procedure that would now be followed and asked participants to introduce themselves.

 

The Chair then invited the Applicant’s representative to speak in support of the Application.

 

Applicant

 

Mr McIver advised that this was an application for renewal of a late hours catering licence for a Chinese take away for the following hours: Sunday and Thursday 11 pm – 1.30 am, Monday to Wednesday 11 pm to 12.30 am and Friday and Saturday 11 pm to 2.30 am and invited the Committee to renew the application.

 

The Chair invited the Objector to asked questions and Mrs Watt advised she had none.

 

The Chair then invited Mrs Watt to speak in support of her objection.

 

Objector

 

Mrs Watt referred to the contents of her letter of objection advising that Argyll and Bute Council’s Environmental Health department and Strathclyde Police have been working closely to target anti social behaviour and noise associated with revellers leaving licensed premises when they close at 2 am.  The associated noise, litter and anti social behaviour are having an adverse effect on the surrounding community.  She advised that catering establishments open after the licensed premises have closed can impact on patrons not dispersing from the surrounding area for up to an hour later as they act as a focal point.  She advised that there were five licensed premises in the vicinity of this establishment, two of which have licenses till 2 am.   She referred to residential properties above the establishment and nearby residential flats.

 

The Chair invited Mr McIver to ask Mrs Watt questions and he confirmed he had no questions.

 

The Chair invited Members to ask questions.

 

Members’ Questions

 

Councillor Currie asked if the opening hours requested in the application were the same as the current opening hours and Mr McIver replied yes.

 

Councillor Currie referred to the two complaints of noise specifically regarding patrons congregating at catering establishments and asked if this was generic or specifically in relation to the Oriental Express.  Mrs Watt advised that one of the complaints related to the premises.

 

Councillor Currie asked over how many years was this complaint made.  Mrs Watt advised that this was a complaint that had been received and was not over a particular period of time.  She advised that these types of complaints were difficult to deal with.

 

Councillor Currie asked why only one complaint would be difficult to dealt with.  Mrs Watt advised that the difficulties were in relation to patrons congregating at late hours catering establishments which could not be dealt with under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

 

Councillor Devon asked if a 2.30 am closing time was the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.