Agenda and minutes

Councillor Singh Johal was appointed as Chair.

The Chair welcomed those present, led on introductions and informed tose present of the fire safety and evacuatio procedures.

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 interests they may have in the business to be discussed on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 March 2025 are attached and members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

AGREED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 26^th March 2025 be confirmed as a correct record.

AGENDA

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO NOTE

Under the law, the Sub-Committee is entitled to consider certain items in private where in the circumstances the public interest in maintaining the matter exempt from publication outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. Members of the public will be asked to leave the meeting when such items are discussed.

The Sub-Committee is recommended to consider the following reports in private on the grounds that they contain ‘exempt’ information as defined by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, as amended, and consequently that the Sub-Committee makes the following resolution:- “that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports 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 2

Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

Paragraph 7

Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

B1) APPLICATION FOR A REVIEW OF AN EXISTING PREMISES LICENCE - RUM AND SPICE, 2 KING STREET, LEICESTER

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports 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 was considered that the public interest in maintaining the information as exempt outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Paragraph 1

Information relating to an individual.

Paragraph 2

Information that is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

Paragraph 7

Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report for an application for a review of an existing premises licence for Rum and Spice, 2 King Street, Leicester.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submitted a report on a review of an existing premises licence for Rum and Spice, 2 King Street, Leicester.

PC Jeff Pritchard was present having made representations on behalf of Leicestershire Police. Also present was the Licensing Team Manager (Policy and Applications) and the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee.

The Licensing Team Manager and Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee informed the Sub-Committee of contact made to the Licensing Team by the Premises License holder, notifying them of their inability to attend the hearing that morning. The Sub-Committee were asked to consider whether, in light of the email from the Premises Licence Holder’s director, the Review hearing should be adjourned. PC Pritchard was invited to make representations. The Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee provided an overview of the current position and legal summary of the options available to the Sub-Committee, which included proceeding with the hearing or agreeing to adjourn the hearing until a later date.

All present beside the Governance Services Officer left the room as Members of the Sub-Committee wished to deliberate in private. The Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee was called back in to provide legal clarification.

Members of the Sub-Committee considered all of the relevant factors for and agaianst an adjournment and decided that given the seriousness of the allegations and the lack of medical evidence or other valid reasons it was in the public interest to proceed.

The Licensing Team Manager (Policy and Applications) presented the report and answered questions from Members. It was noted an application was received on 9^th April 2025 from Leicestershire Police.

PC Jeff Pritchard was given the opportunity to outline the details of the Police representation and answered questions from Members and the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee.

All parties were given the opportunity to sum up their positions and make any final comments.

The Sub-Committee received legal advice from the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee in the presence of all those present and were advised of the options available to them in making their 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 Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005.

The Chair announced that the decisions and reasons would be publicly announced and confirmed in writing within five working days. The Chair informed the meeting that the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee would be called back to give advice on the wording of the decision.

The Chair then asked all but Members of the Sub-Committee and Democratic Support Officers to withdraw from the meeting. Members then deliberated in private to consider their decision.

The Sub-Committee recalled the Legal Adviser to the Sub-Committee to give advice  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

There being no other urgent business, the meeting closed at 6:16pm.