Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the Councillors and Officers present.

None.

Introduction by the Licensing Officer

The Chair invited the Senior Licensing Officer to outline the reason for the hearing and the procedure that would be followed. The Senior Licensing Officer stated that on 13^th February 2014 an application had been received for a Review of the Premises Licence in respect of Ice Lounge, 16 Bridge Street, Northampton. The application had been submitted by PC David Bryan, representing Northamptonshire Police and related to evidence linking an organised crime group to illegal activities, including money laundering being carried at the premises, which is in breach of the Licensing Objective regarding the Prevention of Crime and Disorder. Obligatory notices with regard to this review had been displayed at the premises.

Northamptonshire Police, represented by PC Bryan and Sgt Worthington, would address the sub-committee first and put forward the case for review of this premises license. DC Thoroughgood, the investigating officer in the criminal case was also in attendance and available should the Sub-committee wish to ask questions of him.

Following the presentation of the Review application followed by any questions, led by the chair that the committee may wish to ask the police officers.

The original respondents were no longer represented by Debellolaw, but Simon Moore, employed at Ice Lounge, wished to attend to represent the Ice Lounge management. Mr Moore had previously asked to be given the opportunity to ask any questions of clarification of the Police.

Mr Moore had also asked to address the committee in response to the application for review.

The Committee, led by the Chair, would then be given the opportunity to ask any questions of Mr Moore followed by an opportunity for the Police representatives to ask any questions of clarification.

Also in attendance was David Dadds, of Dadds Solicitors, who represents the owners of the building 16 Bridge Street. Mr Dadds had expressed a willingness to assist in this review by providing any relevant information from the owner point of view that the Sub-Committee consider appropriate.

There would then be a summing up by all parties before the sub-committee retired to make their decision. The decision of the sub-committee would be given following their deliberations.

With the permission of the Chair Mr Dadds explained that following the transfer of the Premises Licence to his clients, the property landlords, he would be representing them at the hearing. Mr Dadds explained that 48 hours earlier his clients had evicted the leaseholder and applied for the transfer of the Premises Licence. Following discussions with Mr Moore he had agreed he therefore had no standing at these proceedings. The Chair thanked Mr Dadds for his clarification.

Representation by the Applicant – Northamptonshire Police

The Chair invited PC Bryan to present the application on behalf of Northamptonshire Police. PC Bryan explained that the Premises licence had been held in the name of Ice Lounge Ltd, for whom the sole director and company secretary was Joseph O’Neil. Mr O’Neil had been the subject of a long standing investigation and February  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.