Agenda and minutes

The Chair introduced the Committee and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Outline of the Application by the Licensing Officer

The Licensing Officer outlined the application by Northamptonshire Police for the review of a Club Premises Certificate on the grounds of the Licensing Objective of Crime and Disorder.  He also summarised the objections that had been received from members and committee members of the Eastern District Social Club.  It was noted that some objections were not admissible due to their relevance and subject area.  The procedure for the hearing was also clarified.

Application for the Review

PC Bryan from Northamptonshire Police confirmed that they had applied for the review of a Club Premises Certificate on the grounds of the Licensing Objective of Crime and Disorder.  Operation Norvik, an Organisational Crime Unit operation using undercover officers infiltrated criminal activities such as wholesale cocaine, counterfeit money and stolen goods.  On conclusion of Operation Nordic there were two successful convictions in relation to the Eastern District Social Club, in the President of the club, Kevin Bell and the manager, Teresa Shaw (previously Bell).

Arrests were made in March 2009 but Northamptonshire Police were unable to apply for the certificate review until a time that all criminal matters had been dealt with.  Northamptonshire Police believed that the Eastern District Social Club was still a concern for crime and disorder matters as shown in the witness statement of PC Bryan dates 23 December 2010 with information from Crimestoppers regarding drug dealing, unlicensed Sky Sports and pilferage of electricity in December 2010.  In addition there was an incident in November 2010 as the police were called to an incident where the Eastern District Social Club barman allegedly assaulted a male member.

It was the opinion of Northamptonshire Police that the level of criminality at the Eastern District Social Club warranted the consideration of the revocation of their Club Premises Certificate.  Northamptonshire Police believed that members and committee members at the club were aware of the criminal acts that took place on the premises between 2007 and 2009.

Questions to the Applicant

The Sub-Committee Members had no questions at this time.

Jason Stevens, of HC Solicitors, referred to the statement of 9 November 2010 and if Northamptonshire Police had verified if the list of trustees was correct at the time of the criminal activity.  It was confirmed by PC Bryan that the club submitted this information in April 2010 and it was not confirmed as correct for the time of the criminal activity.

Mr Stevens asked why Northamptonshire Police were of the opinion that members and committee members were complicit to the criminal acts that took place on the premises.  PC Bryan confirmed that Northamptonshire Police believed that the extensive level of criminality would have been noticeable to others.  At this time Mr Stevens noted the use of undercover officers in Operation Norvik and the relevance of this to the visibility of the criminality.  PC Bryan noted that the knowledge of criminality within the club membership was shown  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.