Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business under the agenda item where they appear. It being a special meeting of the Sub Committee, under Part Four, Section B, Paragraph 17 of the Council’s Constitution, no other business shall be considered at the meeting.

There were no items of urgent business.

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at he commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member’s judgement of the public interest and if this interest affects their financial position or the financial position of a person or body as described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct and/or if it relates to the determining of any approval, consent, licence, permission or registration in relation to them or any person or body described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair will explain the procedure that the Committee will follow for the hearing considered under the Licensing Act 2003.  A copy of the procedure is attached.

Noted.

To consider an application to allow Regulated Entertainment, Provision of Late Night Refreshment and Supply of Alcohol at the above premises.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

To consider an application to allow Regulated Entertainment and the Provision of Late Night Refreshment.

The Special Licensing Sub Committee (the Committee) were asked to consider an application to allow regulated entertainment, provision of late night refreshment and supply of alcohol at the above premises.

The Licensing Officer presented the report and advised the Committee that representations had been received from local residents concerned that if the licence were granted it would increase late night disturbances in the area.  The Licensing Officer advised that the police had made a representation but that they had withdrawn their representation on the basis that the licensee had agreed that they would stop selling alcohol fifteen minutes before the premises was closed.  The Licensing Officer confirmed that the Enforcement Team had not made a representation. 

The Chair invited the objectors to address the Committee with their concerns. Cllr Susan Oatway, Ward Councillor presenting the views of local residents, advised the Committee that the current licence permitted the premises to remain open until 2300hrs, but that residents of the houses across the road and the flats directly above the premises had recently been exposed to disturbances later than this. Cllr Oatway advised that the premises were in a residential area, and that residents were disturbed by customers leaving the premises, loud music and noise from the outside roof terrace at the back of the premises. Cllr Oatway also advised that residents had reported customers parking their cars illegally in the bus stop at the front of the premises, and unsupervised children throwing stones on the roof terrace.

Residents were concerned that stopping the sale of alcohol 15 minutes before closing time would not allow sufficient time for customers to finish their drinks and vacate the premises by the appointed closing time. In response to the Chair asking about the times of the reported disturbances, residents reported that disturbances had on occasion been occurring up to 0030hrs, and that their quality of life was being affected by lack of sleep.

The Chair invited the applicant, Mr Papadopoulos, to address the Committee. Mr Papadopoulos stated that he appreciated residents’ concerns and reported that many of the events held at the premises were charity events and wedding, christening and birthday parties, and that the clientele were mainly adults in their 30s. The applicant read out a letter from Cllr Thompson, the Mayor, in support of the premises. Mr Papadopoulos added that rowdy behaviour was not tolerated at the premises, and that signage was in place asking customers to respect local residents when leaving. Customers were also not allowed to take drinks out of the front entrance. When children were in the premises, their parents were asked to supervise them and staff would also try to keep an eye on them, but it was not possible to monitor them all the time. Mr Papadopoulos reported that live music events at the premises in the past had been held under temporary event notices.

Responding to residents’ concerns regarding noise from the venue, Mr Papadopoulos reported that there was some sound proofing at the premises, which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.