Agenda and minutes

Councillor Thomas was elected as Chair for the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the previous Licensing (Hearings) sub-committee held on 9^th August 2017 have been circulated and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Licensing (Hearings) sub-committee meeting held on 9^th August 2017 be confirmed as an accurate record.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report on an application for the review of an existing premises licence for City News, 80 Belgrave Road, Leicester.

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 0116 4546358.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submitted a report that required the sub-committee to determine an application for a review of an existing premises licence for City News, 80 Belgrave Gate, Leicester.

The sub-committee noted that an application for a review of an existing premises licence had been received which necessitated that the application had to be considered by the sub-committee.

PC Jon Webb from Leicestershire Police, Mr Sukhwinder Singh the Premises Licence Holder, the Licensing Team Manager and Solicitor to the sub-committee were present.

Also in attendance was a reporter from the Leicester Mercury.

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

The Licensing Team Manager advised the sub-committee that Mr Sukhwinder Singh the Premises Licence Holder had informed her outside the meeting that he had only been made aware of the Licensing Hearing the previous day and had not received the paperwork. Mr Sukhwinder had also informed the Licensing Team Manager that he struggled to understand English and he was concerned that he would struggle with the proceedings today as he was unprepared and did not fully understand matters.

The Licensing Team Manager submitted that the sub-committee should consider whether it was in the public interest to proceed with matters or to adjourn to another date.

The sub-committee invited PC Jon Webb from Leicestershire Police to respond to the points made.

PC Jon Webb advised the sub-committee that he had visited the premises and spoken with Mr Sukhwinder Singh the Premises Licence Holder in the week prior to this meeting informing him of the hearing. PC Jon Webb submitted that he had had numerous conversations with the Premises Licence Holder which he had understood and this was a stalling tactic.

PC Jon Webb submitted that it was in the public interest for matters to be dealt with today to ensure the promotion of the licensing objectives.

The Solicitor to the sub-committee advised them of the options available to them in deciding whether it was in the public interest to proceed today or not.

The sub-committee considered the request for an adjournment and the options available. The sub-committee asked that officers make enquiries about the availability of an interpreter for today and agreed to a short break whilst those enquiries were made.

9.53am Meeting adjourned whilst enquiries made of language services.

9.59am Meeting resumed.

The Chair informed all persons present that although an interpreter was available later in the day the meeting would now take much longer being translated and having considered all matters the sub-committee were agreed that it was in the public interest that this Licensing Hearing should be deferred to a new date at which an interpreter would be provided. The sub-committee also recommended that Mr Sukhwinder Singh should strongly consider being legally represented.

RESOLVED:

That the application for the review of an existing premises licence: City News, 80 Belgrave Gate, Leicester be adjourned to Friday 15^th September 2017 at 9.30am.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 10.02am.