The Sub-Committee will elect a Chairman for the meeting.

It was moved by Councillor Casey, seconded by Councillor Davidson and:-

RESOLVED that Councillor Wiggins be elected as Chairman for the meeting.

The Sub-Committee is asked to note any apologies for absence and substitutions received from Members.

An apology for absence had been submitted by Councillor A Cossens, but no substitute had been appointed.

To confirm and sign as a correct record, the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee, held on Tuesday, 2 December 2025.

It was moved by Councillor Davidson, seconded by Councillor Casey and:-

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.

Councillors are invited to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registerable Interests of Non-Registerable Interests, and the nature of it, in relation to any item on the agenda.

Councillor Wiggins declared for the public record that she held a personal licence, but that it had no bearing on her capacity to be a member of the Sub-Committee.

To inform Members that an application has been received for the grant of a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 from Kea Convenience Store Ltd for the sale of alcohol off the premises at Budgens Weeley, 7 Colchester Road, Weeley and further that objections to the proposed licensable activity have been received from members of the public.

The Sub-Committee heard from the Licensing Manager that an application had been received for the grant of a premises licence, under the Licensing Act 2003, from Kea Convenience Store Ltd for the sale of alcohol off the premises at Budgens Weeley, 7 Colchester Road, Weeley and that objections to that proposed licensable activity had been received from a member of the public and from Weeley Parish Council.

The applicant had described Budgens Weeley as a retail store selling products and offering other services such as parcel collections and bill payments.

The applicant had proposed to open to the public on the following days/hours:

Monday to Saturday               07:00 to 22:00

Sunday                                    08:00 to 21:00

The proposed sale of alcohol off the premises hours were:

Monday to Saturday               07:00 to 22:00

Sunday                                    08:00 to 21:00

The full application had been attached to the main report (A.1) as Appendix A.

The Sub-Committee heard that two representations/objections had been received from a resident and from Weeley Parish Council in relation to the application. Those letters of objection had been attached to the main report (A.1) as Appendix B.

Members were reminded that each application must be considered in its own right and on its own merits only as to how it might impact on the four licensing objectives which were the Prevention of Crime and Disorder, the Prevention of Public Nuisance, Public Safety and the Protection of Children from Harm.

The applicant, Kiritto Sebamalaimuthu, spoke in support of the application, confirming that the premises would be opening within weeks under a 20?year lease, thus demonstrating a long?term commitment. It was noted that the premises had been professionally fitted out and that the applicant had many years of experience working in licensed shops. Documents were presented to the Sub-Committee to highlight the measures in place to meet the licensing objectives, including staff training, CCTV, an incident log, and statutory notices. The applicant confirmed that deliveries would be made during the day, that planning permission had already been obtained, and that parking and traffic considerations had been addressed.

An objector, Parish Councillor Christine Hamilton, acting on behalf of Weeley Parish Council, spoke against the application, stating that the proposed hours for the sale of alcohol were unnecessary. Concerns had been raised regarding parking issues during peak times, with the view that the development would exacerbate existing pressures. It was also noted that an excessive proportion of the floorspace had been allocated to alcohol sales.