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

All attendees present in relation to items 6 and 7 left the meeting. 

The Chair invited the Sub-Committee, officers, and applicants to introduce themselves. 

Alex Bloomfield, Thames Valley Police Licensing Officer, joined the meeting. 

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer (RM) presented the report, notifying members that the Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing is convened to determine an application submitted by McDonald’s Restaurants Limited for a New Premises Licence for McDonalds, 44-46 Cornmarket Street, Oxford. The Sub-Committee heard that the applicant seeks to provide late night refreshment from 11pm until midnight daily, as detailed in Appendix 1. A representation from Thames Valley Police is enclosed within appendix 2 and it was explained that liaison between the police and applicant occurred during the consultation period to address concerns raised, however as no final agreement was reached and an objection was submitted. The Sub-Committee were directed to appendix 3 containing a map detailing the applicant’s premises and the surrounding area.  

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer (RM) reminded the Sub-Committee of its responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003, noting that: 

• Any decision taken by the Sub-Committee must be necessary and proportionate to the objectives being pursued. 

• When making any decision under the Licensing Act 2003, members have a duty to act with a view to promoting the licensing objectives. 

• When considering any representations, only those issues relating to the four licensing objectives should be considered and appropriate weight given to the importance and relevance of each representation. 

• In making its decision, the Sub-Committee must also have regard to the Home Office statutory guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and the Council’s own Statement of Licensing Policy which are enclosed within the report.  

The Sub-Committee were informed that they must make one of the following decisions which they consider to be appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives: 

• To grant the licence in accordance with the application. 

• To modify the conditions of the operating schedule by altering, omitting, or adding to them. 

• To reject the application. 

Finally, the Sub-Committee were reminded that the applicant or persons making representations have the right of appeal against the decision made.  

The Chair invited the applicant to make any representations to the Sub-Committee.   

The applicant was represented by Leo Charalambides, a Barrister, and Mark Brent, the National Licensing Officer for McDonalds.  

Mr. Charalambides referred the Sub-Committee to pages 40 and 41 of the report, noting conditions which had been discussed between McDonalds and the police in regards the premises application. As a result, the Sub-Committee were informed that the applicant was willing to accept the proposed police conditions and noted that they had not been able to agree this via email ahead of the necessary deadlines. Mr. Charalambides assured that all five conditions were now agreed by the applicant.  

The Thames Valley Police Licensing Officer welcomed Mr. Charalambide’s representation and offered to provide more clarification to the Sub-Committee on the points which had been dropped from the initial proposed conditions. The Chair did not request further clarification.

The Legal Adviser sought to clarify whether Thames Valley Police were therefore withdrawing their objections; this was confirmed.  

Mr. Charalambides, Mr. Brent, the Thames Valley Police Licensing Officer, and both Senior Licensing Compliance Officers left the meeting to allow the Sub-Committee to reach a decision. 

The Sub-Committee considered: 

• That no outstanding objections to the application remained. 

• The existing saturation policy but agreed that the operating schedule proposed by the applicant would be sufficient for dealing with any additional impact should any arise.

Mr. Charalambides, Mr. Brent, the Thames Valley Police Licensing Officer, and both Senior Licensing Compliance Officers rejoined the meeting. 

The Chair delivered Sub-Committee’s decision. 

The Sub-Committee resolved to: 

• Grant the licence. 

Mr. Charalambides and Mr. Brent thanked the Sub-Committee.

Mr. Charalambides and Mr. Brent left the meeting. 

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer (RM) left the meeting.