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Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings, TN34 3UY. Please enter the building via the Tourist Information Centre entrance.
Contact: Democratic Services on 01424 451484 email: democraticservices@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Appointment of Chair for this Meeting
Minutes:
Councillor Roberts proposed that Councillor Patmore should take the Chair, seconded by Councillor Cox.
RESOLVED(unanimously): that Councillor Patmore be appointed as Chair for the duration of the meeting.
Apologies for absence
Minutes:
None received.
Minutes of previous meeting PDF 210 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
RESOLVED(unanimously): that the minutes of the meetings held on 23rd and 30th June 2021 be approved as a true record.
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
None received.
Additional documents:
- Appendix A TEN frenchs 2021 (1) , item 72. PDF 210 KB
- Appendix B PREMISES LICENCE SUMMARY change of dps 02082019 , item 72. PDF 234 KB
- Appendix C Sussex Police representation letter TEN 27th 28th November 2021 , item 72. PDF 488 KB
- Premises licence change of DPS on 02082019 , item 72. PDF 800 KB
Decision:
We have listened carefully to all the submissions and we are bound to be directed by the promotion of the Licensing Objectives and material consideration of:
- Prevention of Crime and Disorder
- Public Safety
- Prevention of Public Nuisance
- Protection of
Children from Harm
We have also had regard to the Council’s Licensing Policy and the Guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 182 of the Licencing Act 2003.
On balance the Sub-Committee accepts the evidence provided in support of the Objection Notice and has decided to serve a Counter Notice.
Minutes:
Mr Cowlard, manager of French’s, informed the meeting that Mr Foot, the premises owner, was unwell and unable to attend. Mr Cowlard said he was present to make a representation to the Sub-Committee in Mr Foot’s place.
Councillor Patmore proposed the meeting proceed in Mr Foot’s absence, seconded by Councillor Roberts.
RESOLVED(unanimously): that the Sub-Committee hearing proceed in the applicant’s absence, noting that he has sent a representative to address the Sub-Committee.
Mr Bryant, the Licensing Lead Officer gave a precis of his report to the Sub-Committee.
On 11th November 2021 Hastings Borough Council was served a Temporary Events Notice (TEN) in respect of French’s, 24 Robertson Street, Hastings. French’s already holds a licence to operate until 3am under the Licensing Act 2003 and is located in Area 2 of the Council Special Saturation Policy.
The TEN application requests an extension of hours from 3am to 5am on 27th and 28th November 2021.
Copies of the TEN were served on responsible authorities at the same time as being placed before the licensing authority. Subsequently an objection was received from Sussex Police on 15th November 2021. Environmental protection did not make any representations on this occasion.
Ms Rolfe, Sussex Police Licensing Officer, explained that the objection to the TEN was raised under the Licensing Objectives prevention of crime and disorder; public nuisance; and public safety not being promoted. Five incidents relating to French’s were recorded over the past five months, however the main reason for objection is due to recently updated statistics around public place violent crime during the night-time economy.
A TEN was recently agreed for French’s in October 2021 and Ms Rolfe confirmed there were no issues raised regarding that event. On that occasion there was a verbal agreement that the licence conditions would be extended and that there would be no entry after 3am. The same offer was made to Sussex Police regarding the current TEN. However, an objection has been raised on this occasion as the crime statistics, which weren’t available in October, show a sharp increase in violent crime in the area.
Ms Rolfe set out the context for the objection from Sussex Police. 3am is a very busy time for the police and ambulance service, with high levels of disorder and emergency services stretched. Since the beginning of October there have been 10 suspected drink spiking incidents in the town and Hastings has been identified as a hotspot for serious violent crime during the night-time economy. Castle Ward is now ranked 4th highest for serious violence in Sussex.
Inspector Tombling read a letter on behalf of Inspector Aidan Cornwall, District Inspector for Hastings, who was unable to attend the hearing. The letter reiterated that serious violence in Castle Ward continues to be a real concern for Sussex Police and that although additional patrols are being deployed in the town, Sussex Police cannot solve this alone. Inspector Tombling detailed some of the violent crimes which have taken place in the ... view the full minutes text for item 72.
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