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. 

None received.

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.

None received.

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 the Sale of Alcohol, Provision of Late Night Refreshment and Provision of Regulated Entertainment at the above premises.

The Licensing Officer, Ms Barrett, advised the Committee that this application was for a new licence to allow the Sale of Alcohol, provision for Late Night Refreshment and provision of Regulated Entertainment.  Ms Barrett, in presenting the report, gave an outline of points 1, 2, 5.0 – 5.6.  At point 6.0 of the report Ms Barrett stated there were no representations from the responsible authorities, however there were representations at point 7.0 from interested parties.  She further advised that the premises benefited from a previous licence and that this would be surrendered upon the grant of the current licence as the layout had changed. The applicant had not clarified whether he was in receipt of a personal license.  In response the applicant’s representative stated that the applicant was in the process of obtaining a personal licence.

A representative from the Ladder Community Safety Partnership addressed the Committee and stated that the location of the premises site was in a core area of Green Lanes.  Green Lanes was a commercial thoroughfare and that people lived above the shops in flats and the ladder roads.  The area was heavily residential with a large number of families whom were entitled to a good nights sleep.  Concern was raised about the premises applying to be open for 19 hours out of 24 hours per day.  A petition had been signed by 55 signatories whom all lived within reasonable earshot of the premises. 

There were two main aspects in relation to the application:

1. The provisions of live music until 1:30am daily, what this consisted of, whether there was sufficient insulation at the premises and noise nuisance.
2. The provision of late night refreshments until 2:00am in and out of doors.  Residents who lived in the properties behind the premises were concerned about noise nuisance.

A local resident addressed the Committee and reiterated concerns regarding noise nuisance from the premises in particular loud talking late at night.  Complaints had been made regarding littering and urination taking place at the back of the premises.  They were totally opposed to any outdoor activity taking place from the premises particularly as talking could be heard in the gardens of the properties at the back of the restaurant.

The Committee enquired whether there was evidence of anti social behaviour from Mezzo restaurant.  The objector responded that the kitchen staff often went outside to smoke. The only other occupants of the Mews at the back of the premises were vacant garages therefore; the only activity in the Mews came from Mezzo restaurant.

The applicant’s reprehensive clarified that the activities requested were for live music, which would entail no more than two artists playing at any one time, one would be a guitar player.  The applicant was agreeable to the withdrawal of dance and facilities for performance.   The applicant further accepted a condition that no licensable activities would take place in the conservatory area.  The conservatory area would only be open to allow staff to have a cigarette if that were permitted.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider an application to allow Late Night Refreshment at the above premises.

Please note that under the Council’s Constitution – Part 4, Section B, Paragraph 17 no other business shall be transacted at the meeting.

This item was deferred to the next meeting.

The meeting concluded at 9:25pm