Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Chair for the duration of the meeting.

It was MOVED by Councillor Chatterjee and SECONDED by Councillor Degrads and RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Herman as Chair for this meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2022 as an accurate record.

The minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee would be agreed at the meeting of the Licensing Committee on 26 September 2022.

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 premises licence at 28 George Street, Croydon, CR0 1PB.

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered the Application for a Premises Licence at 28 George Street Croydon CRO 1PB and the representations received as contained in the report of the Corporate Director, Sustainable Communities, Regeneration & Economic Recovery.

The Sub-Committee also considered the representations made by the Applicant, and the documents submitted by the Applicant in support of their application. The Sub-Committee noted that although the objectors were not present at the hearing, they had the benefit of their 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 Statement of Licensing Policy, RESOLVED to GRANT the Application on the basis that the Sub-Committee was satisfied that it would be appropriate to promote the licensing objectives to do so. 

The reasons of the Sub-Committee were as follows:

1. In respect of the prevention of crime and disorder objective, the Sub-Committee noted that there was no objection to the Application from the Police, and noted also that in accordance with the Statutory Guidance the Police should usually be the licensing authority’s main source of advice on matters relating to the promotion of the crime and disorder licensing objective.

2.    In respect of the prevention of public nuisance objective, the Sub-Committee noted the importance of focussing on the effects of the licensable activities at the specific premises on persons living and working (including those carrying on business) in the area around the premises which may be disproportionate and unreasonable, as is suggested by the Statutory Guidance. The Sub-Committee also noted this may include in appropriate circumstances the reduction of the living and working amenity and environment of other persons living and working in the area of the licensed premises.

3.    The Sub-Committee noted that there was no objection to the Application from Environmental Health, which was the main source of advice in relation to the public nuisance licensing objective.

4.    In this regard the Sub-Committee considered concerns raised relating to an increase in noise nuisance to residents and local businesses generally, from recorded music and live music, including from music as customers used the front doors, and from customers in outdoor seating at the front of the premises. The Sub-Committee also considered concerns raised about outdoor seating at the front of the premises causing congestion on the pavement on George Street. The Sub-Committee also considered concerns raised about possible increases in drunkenness and anti-social behaviour, and concerns that the outdoor seating at the front of the premises would become a magnet for anti-social behaviour. 

5.    The Sub-Committee also considered the specific concerns raised by a resident living a short distance from the premises relating to an increase in noise nuisance from recorded and live music, and an increase in drunkenness and anti-social behaviour which made her feel fearful and vulnerable.   

6.    As regards possible increases in anti-social behaviour, the Sub-Committee was aware, and had reference to the Statutory Guidance which provided that,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21/22