Agenda and draft minutes

To appoint a Chair for the duration of the meeting.

It was MOVED by Councillor Islam and SECONDED by Councillor Bird and RESOLVED, to:

Appoint Councillor Patsy Cummings as Chair for the meeting.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct and the statutory provisions of the Localism Act, Members and co-opted Members of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to register disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) and gifts and hospitality to the value of which exceeds £50 or multiple gifts and/or instances of hospitality with a cumulative value of £50 or more when received from a single donor within a rolling twelve month period. In addition, Members and co-opted Members are reminded that unless their disclosable pecuniary interest is registered on the register of interests or is the subject of a pending notification to the Monitoring Officer, they are required to disclose those disclosable pecuniary interests at the meeting. This should be done by completing the Disclosure of Interest form and handing it to the Democratic Services representative at the start of the meeting. The Chair will then invite Members to make their disclosure orally at the commencement of Agenda item 3. Completed disclosure forms will be provided to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion on the Register of Members’ Interests.

There were none.

To receive notice of any business not on the agenda which in the opinion of the Chair, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no items of urgent business.

The Sub-Committee is asked to determine whether to grant the application for a variation to a premises licence at 25 South End, Croydon, CR0 1BE.

The Chair outlined the procedures for the Licensing Hearing in line with the Licensing Act 2003 and the Council’s protocol. The applicant and objector were both present.

Michael Goddard, Head of Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Licensing introduced the report and explained the application was for a variation to the current licence to add the provision of regulated entertainment (recorded music). To extend the terminal hour of recorded music from 12.30am to 3.00am, 7 days per week.

Mr Sheridan, the objecting party was given the opportunity to speak. Their primary concern was that the applicant had recently taken over the premises and therefore had no track record of running the venue well. The objector had requested for the Sub Committee to consider delaying the variation by 6 months on this basis. Mr Sheridan also had concerns about crime issues in South End and possible disturbance to residential properties and flats nearby. Noting they owned the adjoining property Boswell Cottages. They were supportive of the new business but felt that a 6-month delay to the licence variation was needed to mitigate these issues. Mr Ojekwe, the applicant felt the objection was not relevant to the licensing objectives but rather concerned with the applicant’s own business acumen.

Mr Ojekew, the applicant was given the opportunity to speak and advised the Sub-Committee:

-          They worked for the British Film Institute in counter fraud and risk and had recently managed the risk management plan for a large awards event.

-          The premises’ business plan took a risk-based approach.

-          The premises had been licensed for the sale of late-night refreshment until 3.00am for more than 10 years, this variation request had been sought to provide sensible music for entertainment at weekends and to coincide with the late night refreshment licence.

-          All police conditions had been agreed and the applicant had tried to surpass many of these.

-          A dispersal policy would be in place with customer guidance on menus, in toilets and at exits.

-          The property had been sound proofed.

-          Doors closest to neighbouring properties would always remain closed.

-          The venue had acquired a decibel measurement device.

-          There would be daily litter picking outside the premises both during and after opening hours.

-          The website had guidance on car parking and local taxi information was available online and on leaflets in the venue.

-          It was intended that the venue’s offer would create a positive image for Croydon.

In response to questions from the Sub-Committee the applicant advised:

-          The venue capacity was 120 people standing or 100 people seated.

-          The venue was currently under renovation which included the additional sound proofing works, it was hoped to open in October 2023.

-          The 3.00 am terminal hour had been requested to coincide with the venue’s closing time to provide sensible entertainment adding to customer enjoyment. The intention was to attract responsible customers and a dress code would be in place.

-          There would be no live music beyond  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66/22

The following motion is to be moved and seconded where it is proposed to exclude the press and public from the remainder of a meeting:

“That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within those paragraphs indicated in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.”

RESOLVEDthat members of the Press and Public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within those paragraphs indicated in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Sub-Committee is asked to determine whether to grant the application for a personal licence.

RESOLVEDthat members of the Press and Public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within those paragraphs indicated in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.