Minutes:
The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submitted a report that required the sub-committee to determine an objection notice relating to a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) submitted by the applicant Mr Ashlik Madlani for an event at the Candle Rooms.
The sub-committee noted that an objection notice had been received in respect of the Temporary Event Notice which necessitated that the Temporary Event Notice had to be considered by the sub-committee.
Mr Veejay Patel on behalf of the applicant, Mr Madlani the applicant, PC Jon Webb from Leicestershire Police, the Licensing Team Manager and the Legal Adviser to the sub-committee were present.
A reported from the Leicester Mercury was also present.
The Licensing Team Manager presented the report. It was noted that an objection had been received from the Leicestershire Police on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety. It was also noted that there was no current premises licence therefore no conditions could be applied to the temporary event notice to promote the licensing objectives.
PC Jon Webb from Leicestershire Police outlined the reasons for the objection, concerns were expressed that this was a premises situated within an area that was subject to Leicester City Councils Cumulative Impact policy, the area experienced incidents of crime and disorder on a weekly basis and many of these incidents were related to alcohol consumption. People attending this event would be vulnerable to actions of intoxicated people and the event would increase vehicular traffic in a confined area at a critical time when public safety may be compromised.
There were no questions from the sub-committee.
Mr Veejay Patel on behalf of the applicant was then given the opportunity to respond to the objection and to outline the reasons for the application. Mr Veejay Patel and Mr Ashlik Madlani then answered questions from the sub-committee.
Both parties were then given the opportunity to sum up their positions and make any final comments.
Prior to the sub-committee considering the application the Legal adviser to the sub-committee advised them of the options available to them in making a decision. The sub-committee were also advised of the relevant policy and statutory guidance that needed to be taken into account when making their decision.
In reaching their decision the sub-committee 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, in accordance with the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005.
Mr Veejay Patel on behalf of the applicant, Mr Ashlik Madlani the applicant, PC Jon Webb, the Licensing Team Manager, the Legal adviser to the sub-committee and the press withdrew from the meeting.
The sub-committee then gave the application their full and detailed consideration.
The Legal adviser to the sub-committee was recalled to the hearing to give advice on the wording of the decision.
The Licensing Team Manager, PC Jon Webb, Mr Veejay Patel on behalf of the applicant, Mr Ashlik Madlani the applicant and the press then returned to the meeting.
The Chair informed all persons present that they had recalled the Legal adviser to the sub-committee for advice on the wording of their decision.
RESOLVED
That a counter notice under Section 105 (2) of the Licensing Act 2003 be issued (as it was considered appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives to do so).
In reaching their decision the sub-committee commented that they had taken into consideration all that had been said by the applicant and the objector and despite assurances given by the applicant the sub-committee were not convinced that by allowing the TEN it would not add to the footfall and problems being experienced in this area of the city. The sub-committee therefore decided to issue a counter notice.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 13.24pm.