To confirm the Chair of this Sub-Committee for the duration of this hearing.

Councillor Rehman proposed Councillor Miles as Chair; Councillor Ottino seconded. 

Councillor Miles was elected as chair for the duration of this hearing. 

None.

None.

The hearing procedures are attached.

The Sub-Committee noted the relevant procedure for the hearing.? 

The Chair invited all attendees to introduce themselves.  

The Chair explained the procedure for the meeting and reminded public attendees that it was recommended that their combined speaking time total to no more than approximately 20 minutes.   

The Sub-Committee is asked to determine Pihu Enterprises’ application, taking into account the details in the report and any representations made at this Sub-Committee meeting.

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer presented a summary of the report in relation to an application submitted by Pihu Enterprises Ltd for a new premises licence in respect of 67 Botley Road, Oxford.  

The key matters for consideration included: 

• The applicant’s request for the sale of alcohol from 05:00 to 23:00 daily 

• The conditions imposed by Thames Valley Police 

• Numerous representations from local residents 

Members were reminded of their duties when considering the application and of the possible decision they may take, including to:  

• Grant the licence in accordance with the application. 

• Modify the conditions of the operating schedule by altering or omitting or adding to them 

• Exclude or restrict from the scope of the licence any of the licensable activities to which the application relates. 

• Reject the whole of the application 

Finally, the Sub-Committee understood that they may also grant the licence subject to different conditions for different parts of the premises or the different licensable activities. 

The Chair thanked the Senior Licensing Compliance Officer and invited questions from the Sub-Committee. 

 
Councillor Rehman sought to clarify that the sale of alcohol was the only licensable activity relevant to the Sub-Committee's considerations; the Senior Licensing Compliance Officer confirmed this. 

The Chair queried whether the concerns from the public regarding vapes, as in the report, could be considered by the Sub-Committee. If so, it was asked what regulations would cover this and how they linked to the licensing objectives. Furthermore, the Chair also acknowledged that the public objections focused on the premises’ proximity to schools and asked what weight this should be given in the Sub-Committee's deliberations. Finally, it was asked whether consideration of parking concerns was within the scope of the Sub-Committee's deliberations. The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer explained that parking cannot be considered as it does not relate to one of the licensing objectives; at this time the licensing objectives were summarised for the benefit of all attendees.  Regarding vapes, the Senior Licensing Compliance Officer also explained that currently no licence is required by law, and Trading Standards have noted that there are no restrictions on who can sell vapes or how they are displayed. The Sub-Committee were provided a summary of the progress of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which is currently progressing through Parliament: it was noted that this could alter the requirement for licenses to sell vapes in the future, but it is not yet something which the Sub-Committee should consider. Finally, regarding proximity to schools, the Senior Licensing Compliance Officer suggested that this could connect to the licensing objective in relation to the protection of children from harm if children were encouraged to enter and attempt alcohol purchases, but location and proximity to the premises was more relevant to the licensing of Sex Establishments under the Miscellaneous Provisions Act. 

The Chair asked whether antisocial behaviour and congregation of people should be considered, and if so, how much weight should be applied to this if the matter does not occur within the premises itself.  The Senior  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

Recommendation: that the minutes of the meetings of 30 June 2025, 3 July 2025, and 6 August 2025 are approved as a true and accurate record.

The Sub-Committee resolved to approve the minutes of the meetings of 30 June 2025, 3 July 2025, and 6 August 2025 as true and accurate records. 

Recommendation: that the confidential minutes of the meeting 3 July 2025 are approved as a true and accurate record.

The Sub-Committee resolved to approve the confidential minutes of the meetings of 30 June 2025, 3 July 2025, and 6 August 2025 as true and accurate records. 

The dates of future meetings are as follows:

·       25 November 2025

·       16 December 2025

The Sub-Committee noted the dates of future meetings.