Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Chair for the purposes of this meeting.

RESOLVED: That Councillor O’Dell be appointed as Chair of the Panel for the purposes of this meeting.

To note that there are no Reserve Members currently appointed to this Panel.

RESOLVED: To note that no Reserve Members were currently appointed to this Panel.

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from all Members present.

RESOLVED: That note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members in relation to the business to be transacted at this meeting.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

RESOLVED: That all items be considered with the press and public present.

The minutes of each Panel meeting are signed by the relevant Chair, to confirm their accuracy, shortly after the meeting has taken place.  Minutes of such previous meetings appropriately are not submitted to subsequent Panels, which will be considering relevant cases under different Chairmanships.

See Note at conclusion of these Minutes.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 18 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED: To note that no public questions were put, or petitions or deputations received, at this meeting under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rules 18, 15 and 16 (Part 4B of the Constitution) respectively.

Procedure to be followed at an oral hearing.

The Chair introduced the Panel and officers present and outlined the procedure for the conduct of an oral hearing, which was set out in the agenda.

The Panel received a report of the Chief Environmental Health Officer, which detailed an application for a conversion and simultaneous variation to the Justices Licensing hours for the Vine, Stanmore Hill, Stanmore.

The application had been made by TLT Solicitors on behalf of Punch Taverns Plc for a Premises Licence which sought to remove the condition that alcohol be ancillary to food and music as stipulated in Section 68 and Section 70 of the Licensing Act 1964. It was explained that the applicant was not seeking an extension to opening times. The premises were situated in a residential part of Stanmore.

The application had been referred to the Panel as there was one unresolved representation from local residents and two from responsible authorities.

Ms Melissa Murphy representing Punch Taverns Plc was present. Sergeant Carl Davis, representative from the Metropolitan Police and Bruce Williams, representative from Environmental Health, who, as responsible Authorities, had made representations in respect of the application, were also present.

The representation from Environmental Health cited one of the four Licensing Objectives, namely the prevention of public nuisance. Bruce Williams, Environmental Health Manager, reported that the applicant had failed to provide adequate information with regards to noise, and that there was a history of complaints regarding noise from the premises, including music and patrons in the car park, and those leaving the premises, disturbing local residents. Particular concern was raised about controlling the noise from the back of the premises and whether the windows and doors overlooking the garden would be improved in the refurbishment programme.

Responding to issues raised, the applicant’s representative stated that the applicant would accept a condition on noise. As the premises were situated in a conservation area, it may not be possible to install double glazing.

The representation from the Metropolitan Police had cited two of the four Licensing Objectives, namely the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance. Sergeant Davis explained that the section of his representation which related to extended opening hours no longer applied, as it was now clear that extended opening hours were not being sought. Sergeant Davis requested that if the licence was granted, the conditions outlined in his representation be imposed.

The applicant’s representative stated that the applicant would be agreeing to the following conditions being placed on the licence:

·                     The exterior drinking area to be cleared by 11.00 pm

·                     All doors and windows to be kept closed after 11.00 pm

·                     Registered door supervisors to be used

·                     Signs to be displayed asking patrons to leave quietly

The applicant explained that structural alterations had been approved. A plan showing the changes was circulated. The Vine would be closing for a three-month period to enable the planned refurbishment to take place.

An objector, who represented residents who had raised concerns about the impact of the licence being altered in any way, explained that local residents had been very unhappy with the noise emitting from the premises. It was claimed that although alcohol was ancillary to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 130.