The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

The applicant’s representative, on behalf of the applicant, sought a deferral. He advised the Hearing Panel that one of the partners from the solicitor’s firm acting for the applicant was on holiday and the other partner was due to be in attendance today. The Hearing Panel heard from all the other parties as to whether they objected to the request. The local residents/local resident groups, local Councillor and the Manchester University objected to the deferral and asked for the matter to go ahead. The Licensing Out of Hours Team, Premises Licensing and GMP did not object to the application being deferred.

The Hearing Panel asked the applicant’s representative to clarify with his legal representation whether they were ‘en-route to the hearing’ and had got delayed. The Hearing Panel was informed after a call to the office that both partners were away abroad and neither would be attending today.

After considering the situation the Hearing Panel decided to defer the matter so the applicant could be represented. The Hearing Panel noted that the premises is not open so there is no prejudice to others in this regard.

The Hearing Panel however, do require a full explanation at the next hearing on the 2 March as to why the solicitor was not in attendance at the hearing, especially after hearing from the applicant that he was expecting representation at the hearing.

Decision

To grant a deferral of the application to a later date.