Agenda and minutes

Councillor Brian Salinger was appointed as Chairman.

Apologies were received from Councillor Alison Cornelius who was substituted by Councillor Anne Hutton.

None were declared.

The Chairman introduced the Sub-committee Members and explained the procedure that would be followed at the meeting.

The Sub-Committee to consider the application for an Expedited Summary Review of a Premises Licence, under section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003 for McGowans, 26-28 Cricklewood Lane, London, NW2 1HB

RESOLVED - That, under Regulation 14(2) of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings Regulations 2005), the parties be excluded from the meeting.

The Sub-Committee deliberated in private session.

RESOLVED – That the press and public be re-admitted.

The Sub-Committee, having considered the application and all verbal and written representations received, unanimously RESOLVED –

This is an application for a summary expedited review of the premises licence for McGowans, 26-28 Cricklewood Lane, London, NW2 1HB.  The application for the review of the premises licence under section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003 was made by the Metropolitan Police due to this being a serious case of Crime and Disorder.  In the past 16 months, there have been 21 recorded crimes, 19 of these being violent offences and nearly every offence and call made to the police has involved the excessive consumption of alcohol.  In particular, the necessity for an expedited review was as a result of a serious crime that took place on the evening of Thursday 13^th November 2014.

An interim hearing was held at Hendon Town Hall on Thursday 27^th November 2014 at 10.30am in order for a licensing sub-committee to determine what interim steps should be taken to prevent serious crime occurring at the premises.  The Sub-Committee’s view was that immediate measures were necessary to prevent serious crime occurring as well as to promote the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder.  The Sub-Committee agreed that in the circumstances, the only measure that would promote the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder and would prevent serious crime and serious disorder from occurring at the premises was the immediate suspension of the premises licence.  The suspension would take immediate effect pending the determination of any review.

In today’s hearing, representations were provided by Mr Ian Stebbings, Counsel for McGowans.  Mr Stebbings referred to the agreement that had been reached between the police and the premises licence holder.  He stated that the conditions imposed such as effective CCTV, having additional security and an incidents/refusals book would assist immensely in the promotion of the licensing objectives and in particular the prevention of Crime and Disorder.  Mr Stebbings also confirmed that the DPS has been removed and replaced with Mr Neill Reagan.  Mr Stebbings stated that the problems that have occurred at McGowans were as a result of the previous DPS.  PC Vicky Wilcock provided representations on behalf of the police in line with the agreement that was reached between McGowans and the police.  The agreement that was reached between McGowans and the Police stipulates as follows:

Period of suspension of the premises' licence is to continue until 10:00 hours on 2 January 2015.

The following conditions will be removed from the licence:- 8, 9, 10, 14, 21.

The following conditions are to be inserted into the licence:-

CCTV

CCTV shall be maintained to the satisfaction of the Police and licensing authority. Recordings from the installed CCTV must be kept for 30 days and shall be immediately available for inspection and viewing by authorised Council Officers and/or the Police

At the request of the Police and/or licensing officers, CCTV  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

There were none.