To appoint a Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Councillor D. Wilson be appointed Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Hill.

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

To consider an application for a new Premises Licence under The Licensing Act 2003 for Drink Superstore Ltd, 49a St Marks Road, Maidenhead, SL6 6DP.

The Chairman opened the Sub-Committee and welcomed members of the public and press. He explained that the appellants representative was not in attendance as previously confirmed as following a discussion with a Panel Member the previous evening, they had assumed the meeting had been cancelled. Councillor hill had attended site the previous evening and explained that he had a prejudicial interest as he knew the applicant, therefore he would not sit as a Panel Member. The appellant’s representative took that to mean the hearing had been cancelled and had failed to attend the hearing. The Chairman stated he had sought legal advice to see if it was possible for the meeting to continue; but on the advice of the Legal Officer, he had decided to defer the meeting until all parties were able to attend.

The Chairman stressed that the Licensing Panel Sub Committee had a number of substitute Members that could be called upon if a Panel Member was unable to attend and that was why Councillor Hunt was in attendance to substituted on behalf of Councillor Hill. The Chairman said it was a regrettable situation but, after obtaining legal advice, it was decided it was appropriate to defer the meeting to a future date. He apologised to those that had taken the time to attend the meeting.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Licensing Panel Sub-Committee be deferred to a future date when all parties would be available to attend.