Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor Irene Markham made a personal declaration of interest on the grounds that she knew of Mr Barry Slazberg (representing the club); she had met him during Mayoral Duties in the past and had no other affiliation with him.

Outline of the Application by the Licensing Officer.

The Licensing Officer outlined the application for a review of the Club Premises Certificate in respect of Far Cotton Working Men’s Club.  The application was submitted by PC David Bryan representing Northamptonshire Police and related to an event that took place at the club on Friday 21 January 2011.  The application for a review was submitted on the grounds of one of the Licensing Objectives contained within the Licensing Act 2003; -

1)     The prevention of crime and disorder.

The Licensing Officer then explained the procedure for the hearing.

Application for the Review of the Club Premises Certificate

The Applicant informed the Sub-Committee that on the 12 January 2011 Northamptonshire Police had received a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) from the Secretary of the Far Cotton WMC, Mrs Paula Gale. The event applied for was an amateur boxing club presentation, to be held on the 21 January 2011.

A T.E.N needs to be applied for 10 clear working days before the proposed event, therefore the application had not been submitted on time. Checks conducted with the Borough Council Licensing department confirmed that they had also received a T.E.N on the same date and had issued a Counter Notice refusing the application.

On 17 January 2011 the Applicant wrote to the Club explaining that it would be an offence to carry on with the proposed event and also left a message on the voicemail of the applicant.

On 21 January 2011 Northamptonshire Police were informed that the event was to go ahead. As a result of a meeting between police officers it was decided that instead of attending the event with the purpose of closing it down, and in light of available resources, an Inspector would attend and collect evidence.

It subsequently came to light that Mrs Gale had changed her mobile phone number and had not received the message left by PC Bryan.

After the event Mrs Gale was interviewed by the Police and received a caution.  The Applicant advised the Sub-Committee that in accepting the caution Mrs Gale had accepted the transgression.

Questions to the Applicant

Members asked the Applicant whether the event had been well ordered.  In response the Applicant said that the Inspector had made a visit at 7.55pm and that there had been no further need to return to the premises.

Mr Slazberg acting as a representative of the Club asked the applicant if he thought it was reasonable to expect the Club to close down the event when the Police Inspector that had attended had expressed concern over possible consequences if they closed the event.  The applicant responded that the Police do have discretionary powers to consider  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.