Minutes

Councillor Nina Degrads nominated Councillor Karen Jewitt as Chair and Councillor Margaret Bird seconded the motion.

The Sub-Committee RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Karen Jewitt as Chair for the duration of the meeting of the Sub Committee.

There were none.

There were no items of urgent business.

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered the Application for a Review of the Premises Licence at Oceanic Bar, 83-84 High Street, South Norwood SE25 6EA made by the Police as a responsible authority under S51 of the Licensing Act 2003 on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the prevention of public nuisance. The Sub-Committee also considered the further information submitted by the Applicant in support of the Application, comprising statements by Police officers and copies of letters sent to the licensed premises by the Applicant, and the written representation in support of the Application by Croydon Council Environmental Health Practitioner as contained in the report of the Corporate Director, Sustainable Communities, Regeneration & Economic Recovery.

The Sub-Committee also considered the information submitted by the premises licence holder before the hearing, and representations made on behalf of the Applicant, and on behalf of the premises licence holder during the hearing. The Sub-Committee noted that although some of those making representations were not present at the hearing, they had the benefit of the written representations as part of the report.

The Sub-Committee, having reference to the licensing objectives under the Licensing Act 2003 the Statutory Guidance issued under S182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and the Council Licensing Policy, RESOLVED to REVOKE the premises licence on the basis that the Sub-Committee were satisfied that it would be appropriate to promote the licensing objectives to do so. 

The reasons of the Sub-Committee were as follows:

1. The Sub-Committee were mindful that the Statutory Guidance provides “Where authorised persons and responsible authorities have concerns about problems identified at premises, it is good practice for them to give licence holders early warning of their concerns and the need for improvement, and where possible they should advise the licence or certificate holder of the steps they need to take to address those concerns. A failure by the holder to respond to such warnings is expected to lead to a decision to apply for a review”. In this respect, the Sub-Committee noted the strenuous efforts made by the Applicant to work with the premises licence holder in trying to ensure that the premises were run safely, in particular the many visits to the premises by the Applicant, and the Applicant’s comprehensive letters to the premises licence holder whereby the premises licence holder was directed to the relevant licence conditions, provided with advice and instructions as to what action was required, and warned that if there were continuing breaches of the licence conditions, the Applicant would apply for a Review. 

2. In respect of the prevention of crime and disorder objective, the Sub-Committee noted the many breaches of the licence conditions, in particular the conditions relating to CCTV, signage for Challenge 25, use of an identification scanning device, the deployment of SIA door staff, the searching of members of the public at the premises, and the use of the basement for licensable activities after the hours permitted by the licence.

3. The Sub-Committee was mindful that the Statement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20/22

This item was not required.