Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the local Code of Conduct, a councillor is required to disclose at the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) that they may have in respect of any matter for consideration on this agenda. Any councillor with a DPI must not participate in any discussion or vote regarding that matter and that they must also withdraw from the meeting immediately before consideration of the matter.

If that DPI has not been registered, you must notify the Monitoring Officer of the details of the DPI within 28 days of the date of the meeting.

Councillors are further invited to disclose any non-pecuniary interest which may be relevant to any matter on this agenda, in the interests of transparency, and to confirm that it will not affect their objectivity in relation to that matter.

No disclosures of interest were declared.

DETAILS OF DECISION TAKEN:

The Sub-Committee received a report from Matthew Cobb, Licensing Compliance Officer.  The Sub-Committee noted that they had convened to consider an application for a new premises licence for the provision of late-night refreshment Monday – Sunday.  The premises was located in a terraced building, Unit 4, 75-78 Woodbridge Road, Guildford, GU1 4QH.  The takeaway, Pepe’s Piri Piri chicken was located within a mix of commercial and residential properties close to the town centre.  The application was for the provision of late-night refreshment Sunday – Thursday 11pm – midnight and Friday – Saturday 11pm – 1am.  A consultation was held which resulted in the submission of 18 emails of objection that were related to issues of parking, delivery drivers causing safety issues to members of the public through careless driving on the pavement and parking, litter, anti-social behaviour, noise and smells and possible crime and disorder.  Reference had also been made in the objections received that the provision of late-night refreshment included alcohol which was not correct and not relevant to the application.  Extending the hours of operation was likely to therefore exacerbate the problems already experienced by local residents.  The Sub-Committee was reminded of the relevant licensing objectives and that the licence holder could not be held responsible for the behaviour of its customers once they had left the premises. 

The Chairperson, Councillor Witham invited Mr Siddiqui to make his representation on behalf of the applicant, Mr Malik.  The Sub-Committee noted comments made that the application was not related to an alcohol licence, as inferred from some of the objections submitted.  The application for the unit’s change of use was approved through the planning appeals process.  During the takeaway’s operational period, the applicant was running the store with a total of 14 employees, some of which were full-time and/or part-time.  The takeaway had lots of clients, a large proportion of which were key workers who had requested that Pepe’s extended its hours, owing to the healthy grilled chicken food provided and those key workers wishing to access such foodstuffs after a long shift. 

Pepe’s Piri Piri Chicken was a branded franchise and therefore any concerns raised by local residents should be dealt with directly by the takeaway’s manager.  The takeaway had put in place a daily collection of litter, installed full CCTV surveillance and environmental services cleaned the shop’s canopies on a monthly basis.  A sign had also been put up in the window of the takeway telling drivers who were picking up the food to park properly either at the rear or on the road in a safe manner.  That signage had been installed in the last two weeks.  This was particularly for the attention of private drivers operating for companies such as Deliveroo.   A fire strategy and associated health and safety plans were in place and operated via the management system.  The company felt they had listened to the local residents and wanted to be able to work with them moving forward.  It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.