Agenda and minutes

Councillor Clarke was appointed Chair for the meeting.

The Chair gave apologies for the late start to the meeting due to technical issues.

There were no apologies for absence.

Members were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary or other interests they may have had in the business on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Director of Environmental Services submits a report on an application for the review of an existing premises licence for City Rooms, Hotel Street, Leicester, LE1 5AW.

Report attached. A copy of the associated documentation is attached for Members only. Further copies are available on the Council’s website at www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk or by phoning Democratic Support on 454 6354.

The Director of Local Services and Enforcement submitted a report that required Members to determine an application for a review of an existing premises licence for The Grapevine, 33-37 Belvoir Street, Leicester, LE1 6SL.

Members noted that a review application had been received, which necessitated that the application had to be considered by Members.

Mr Stephen Podesta (Designated Premises Supervisor) and Mr John Merry (Bar Manager) were present accompanied by Mr Sakhi and Ms Patel (legal representatives). Inspector Nigel Rixon and PC Jon Webb were present from Leicestershire Police. Mr Neil Cooper and Mr Terence Olaf from the Noise Team and Councillor Patrick Kitterick, Ward Councillor were present. Also present were the Solicitor to the hearing panel and the Licensing Team Manager.

Introductions were made, and the procedure for the meeting was outlined to those present.

The Licensing Team Manager informed the hearing panel that a request had been made for the panel to consider whether the application for the review should be heard in public or in a closed hearing. Inspector Rixon said the request had been made under Section 14 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005. He said there were a number of criminal investigations in connection with the premises that could be compromised if the meeting was to be heard in public during discussion of additional information circulated to the hearing panel prior to the meeting, and the viewing of CCTV / police footage.

Councillor Kitterick requested if the panel were minded to hear the meeting in private, that the representations from himself and the Noise Team be heard in the public domain.

The Solicitor to the hearing panel advised Members to assist them in making a decision.

In reaching their decision, Members felt they should deliberate in private on the basis that this was in the public interest, and as such outweighed the public interest of their deliberation taking place with the parties represented present.

The Licensing Team Manager, the Solicitor to the hearing panel, Mr S Podesta, Mr J Merry and legal representatives, Inspector Rixon, PC Webb, Noise Team Officers, and Councillor Kitterick then withdrew from the meeting. Members gave the request consideration. The Solicitor to the hearing panel was recalled to the hearing to give advice.

The Licensing Team Manager, Mr S Podesta, Mr J Merry and legal representatives, Inspector Rixon, PC Webb, Noise Team Officers, and Councillor Kitterick then returned to the meeting.

RESOLVED:

that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports and information in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because they involve the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in the Paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and taking all the circumstances into account, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the information as exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

Paragraph 1

Information relating to an individual.

Paragraph 3  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The meeting closed at 11.05pm.