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Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: Muriel Matters House
Contact: Democratic Services on 01424 451484 email: democraticservices@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Appointment of Chair for this Meeting
Minutes:
In accordance with the terms of reference of the Licensing Committee, the council solicitor invited nominations for the appointment of Chair for the duration of the meeting. Councillor Roberts proposed that Councillor Patmore should take the Chair, seconded by Councillor Edwards.
RESOLVED (unanimously): that Councillor Patmore be appointed as Chair for the duration of the meeting.
Apologies for absence
Minutes:
None.
Minutes of previous meeting PDF 198 KB
Minutes:
RESOLVED (unanimously): that the minutes of the meeting held on 25th February 2021 be approved as a true record.
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
None.
Review of Premise Licence, Crowley's 55-56 Havelock Road, Hastings, TN34 1BE PDF 274 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
In recognising the concerns raised about the specific issues under the Licensing Objectives and having regard to its Licensing Policy and to the guidance issued by the Secretary of State, the licence is modified to include the following conditions:
(1) CCTV: Digital CCTV and appropriate recording equipment to be installed in accordance with Home Office Guidelines relating to UK Police Requirements for Digital CCTV System, operated and maintained throughout the premises internally and externally to cover all public areas, including the entrance to the premises. The system shall be turned on and recording at all times the premises licence is in operation.
a) The CCTV cameras and recording equipment must be of sufficient quality to work in all lighting levels inside the premises at all times.
b) CCTV footage will be stored for a minimum of 28 days.
c) The management will give full and immediate cooperation and technical assistance to Sussex Police in the event that CCTV footage is required for the prevention and detection of suspected or alleged crime.
d) The CCTV images will record and display dates and times and these will be checked regularly to ensure their accuracy.
e) Subject to Data Protection guidance and legislation, the management of the premises will ensure that key members of staff are fully trained in the operation of the CCTV cameras and recording equipment and will be able to download selected footage onto a disk for the Police without difficultly or delay and without charge to Sussex Police.
f) Any breakdown or system failures of the CCTV cameras and recording equipment will be notified to Sussex Police immediately and remedied as soon as practicable.
(2) SIA registered door staff will be employed at the premises from 21:00hrs until half an hour after the premises has closed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday’s plus Bank Holidays, New Years Eve, public holidays and at any time when a temporary event notice is in operation.
(3) An incident book will be kept and maintained at the premises and made available for inspection by Sussex Police Licensing Officers and Local Authority Officers on request. This incident book shall be solely used for the purpose of recording incidents.
a) The incident book will be maintained by the premises showing a detailed note of incidents that occur in the premises. The incident book will be inspected and signed off by the Designated Premises Supervisor (or a person with delegated authority from the Designated Premises Supervisor) at least once a week.
b) The incident book should be kept on the premises and be available for inspection at all times the premises are open by Sussex Police Licensing Officers and Local Authority Officers. An incident will be defined as being one which involves an allegation of a criminal offence.
c) Feedback shall be given to staff to ensure these are used on each occasion that a refusal incident occurs at the premises.
(4) A refusals register will be kept and maintained at the premises and made available ... view the full decision text for item 63.
Minutes:
In recognising the concerns raised about the specific issues under the Licensing Mr Bryant, the Licensing Lead Officer presented a precis of his report.
On the 10th March 2021 Hastings Borough Council received an application for the review of an existing premises licence under Section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003 for Crowley’s, 55-56 Havelock Road, Hastings, from Chief Inspector Sarah Godley, Hastings and Rother District Commander, Sussex Police.
The application for review cites incidents of drunkenness, disorder, high drug swab test readings, assaults including a stabbing, and refers to non-compliance with the conditions of the licence. As a result, Sussex Police recommended a series of 9 conditions to be considered together with a suspension of the license for no less than six weeks in order to make the necessary adjustments. In addition the application asks the Sub-Committee to consider removal of the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) and a reduction in hours for all licensable activities by 2 hours.
A further representation was received from Mr John Ballam, Environmental Health Officer, Hastings Borough Council, in support of the review. In his submission Mr Ballam comments on the past involvement of the Environmental Health team with the management of the premises and ongoing noise issues, including the service of a noise abatement notice on the DPS and licence holder. Mr Ballam requested, in addition to the existing conditions and those recommended by Sussex Police, that the Sub-Committee consider 4 further conditions, as outlined in the officer’s report.
Mr Savill, counsel for Sussex Police, made a submission to the Sub-Committee. Mr Savill outlined that the premises has been connected to drug use, regular drunkenness, significant antisocial behaviour, and violence. All of which undermines the licensing objectives.
The premises has been closed since Halloween and this has offered time for reflection and discussion between the parties, which has narrowed the areas of concern.
Mr Savill informed the Sub-Committee that all the additional conditions (conditions 1-9 in the Sussex Police review application) had been agreed.
The removal of the DPS has already taken place and Mr Savill reminded the Sub-Committee that Sussex Police retain the right to object to any new candidate for DPS. Additionally, due to Covid-19 the premises has been closed for a period significantly longer than the Sub-Committee could impose.
Therefore, the only significant issue to be resolved is the reduction in operating hours. Both parties agreed that there should be a reduction in hours, except for when the premises is open for a live music event, in which case the sale of alcohol may continue for 1 hour after the live music ends. The position of Sussex Police is that this should be limited to 2 events per month, the licence holder contends this should be the case every Saturday.
Mr Grunert, the solicitor for the licence holder, made a submission to the Sub-Committee and reminded members that this is the first such enforcement action against the licence holder and operator of Crowley’s. All individuals involved in the venue have ... view the full minutes text for item 63.
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