Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all parties to the meeting and outlined the procedure of the hearing.

There were none.

The Environmental Health Manager outlined the case and stated that the Licensing Authority had received an application for review of the premise licence of Millenium Pizza and Kebab, 8 Abington Square on 5 October from the Police. These objections were raised on the grounds of prevention of crime and disorder and public safety. In addition Environmental Health had also submitted an objection, along with comments from the Planning Department.

The Committee were made aware that there was CCTV footage in relation to the objection.

It was explained that the Committee would hear representations from the Police and Environmental Health, along with representations from Mr John Birch, on behalf of the premise licence holder.

RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY

The Police Licensing Officer, addressed Members and stated that on behalf of the Chief Officer of Northamptonshire Police he had called for a review of the Premises Licence for Millenium Pizza and Kebab, Abington Square in relation to the Licensing Objective of the Prevention of Crime and Disorder. The Committee were informed that a previous Committee in December 2014 suspended the Premises Licence for five weeks and reduced the latest opening time to 4am. On 28 August 2016 the Police Licensing department received an email, stating that the CCTV control room had reported that the Premises in question were open and trading past their agreed licensed time.

The Committee were informed that the on 4, 10 and 11 September 2016, footage from the CCTV control showed the premises as trading past 4am.On 17 September 2016 the body warn footage from an officer was recorded and showed the premises open past the licensable hours and staff members serving hot food.

The Police Licensing Officer commented that the person in charge of the premises on 17 September, admitted that the premises were open past 4am. In interview the designated premises supervisor stated that he finished work at midnight and was not aware that the premises were trading past 4am. The Premises Licence Holder was interviewed last, where he admitted that he had kept the premises open past the licensable hours in order to increase his profit margins.

Members of the Committee were made aware that the Magistrates Court had found the Premises Licence Holder guilty of four counts of Section 136 Licensing Act offences and one offence relating to Section 57(4) of the Licensing Act. The punishments involved the Premises Licence Holder having a criminal record and being issued with a £625 fine.

The Police Licensing Officer stated that, in the view of the Police, there were no conditions that could be imposed, which would satisfy their concerns. In addition he stated that the Licensing Committee needed to give due consideration to the licensing guidelines, in particular to section 11 (2) & (3), given concerns raised by the Planning Department.

In response to a number of questions from the Committee and the Respondent, the Police Licensing Officer stated:

·         Confirmation that the licensed hours weren’t on display, was stated in the Magistrates Court case and by the guilty plea  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Chair to move:

“That the public and press be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that there is likely to be disclosure to them of such categories of exempt information as defined by Section 100(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 as listed against such items of business by reference to the appropriate paragraph of Schedule 12A to such act.”

SUPPLEMENTARY AGENDA

Exempted Under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

Para No:-

None required.