Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Neil Aston-Baugh, West Midlands Fire Service.

There were no declarations of interest.

An application for a Premises Licence in respect of Snappy Tomato Pizza, 12 Worcester Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 4LD was considered following representations received from West Midlands Police, the Licensing Authority and West Midlands Fire Service.

The Chair welcomed all parties to the hearing and invited all those present to introduce themselves. All parties did so.

It was noted that West Midlands Police (WMP) had submitted additional information by email to Licencing Services and the Applicant on 5 October 2022 which the Applicant had received but Licensing Services had not.

Evidence was provided by WMP confirming that the supplementary information had been sent to Licensing Services, and it was agreed that the hearing be adjourned for ten minutes so the additional information could be circulated and considered.

The Sub-Committee adjourned at 10.35 hours.

The Hearing reconvened at 10.45 hours.

The Chair outlined the procedure to be followed and all parties confirmed that they understood the procedure.

The Sub-Committee’s statutory duty was to consider the application and any representations, and to take such steps as contained in the Licensing Act 2003 as it considered appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives.

Anita Chonk, Senior Licensing and Compliance Officer provided an outline of the application. Mr Baljit Singh Batiya, Applicant, confirmed that the summary was accurate.

The Chair invited the Applicant to present the application. Mr Baljit Singh Batiya did so as per Appendix 1 of the report. He stated the following:

• The concerns raised within the evidence from West Midlands Police related to a business that he no longer owned.
• No alcohol would be sold on the premises and no sales of alcohol over 6.5% by volume would be allowed.
• No anti-social behaviour would occur as a delivery service would operate and there would be no collections from the premises.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question the Applicant in relation to his submission. Mr Baljit Singh Batiya responded to questions asked and stated the following:

• There would be no collection of alcohol from the premises.
• There would be no single sales of alcohol in cans.
• He would not sell to underage customers.
• He was a responsible person.
• He had never sold counterfeit cigarettes and the police statement was incorrect.
• If the business did not work out, he would close it.
• He had sold his previous business years ago, but his name had still been on the licence.

The Chair invited the Licensing Authority to make representations. Amitabh Singh, Licensing Section Leader, did so as per Appendices 3 and 6 of the report. He stated that the Licensing Authority had mediated with the Applicant and licence conditions had been agreed.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question the Licensing Authority in relation to its submission. Amitabh Singh responded to questions asked.

The Chair invited West Midlands Police (WMP) to make representations. Sgt Steph Reynolds did so as per Appendix 4 of the report and supplementary documents. She stated the following:

• The Applicant was responsible for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.