Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor Tucker be elected as Chair for the purposes of this meeting.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 April 2016 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 6 April 2016 be approved and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005 that the parties to the hearing, press and public be excluded at a predetermined point whilst the Sub-Committee reaches its decision.

Application for a review of the premises licence in respect of Junk Club, 55 London Road, Southampton SO15 5QZ, attached.

The Sub-Committee considered the application for Review of a Premises Licence in respect of Junk Club, 55 London Road, Southampton SO15 5QZ.

Peter Savill (Barrister), Paul Merry (Consultant to Junk Club), Lorraine Barter, Denis Bundy (Local Residents), PC Boucouvalas (Hampshire Constabulary) and Phil Bates (Licensing Manager - SCC) were present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The Sub-Committee considered the decision in confidential session in accordance with the Licensing Act (Hearings) Regulations 2005.

RESOLVED that the premises licence be amended to include conditions agreed between the police and the premises licence holder in advance of the hearing, to reduce the opening hours and impose an additional condition regarding last entry time.

After private deliberation the Sub-Committee reconvened and the Chair read out the following decision:-

All parties will receive formal written confirmation of the decision and reasons.

The Sub-Committee has considered very carefully the application for review of the premises licence at Junk Club, 55 London Road, Southampton SO15 5QZ by the Licensing Authority and five residential representations. It has given due regard to the Licensing Act 2003, the Licensing Objectives, statutory guidance and the adopted statement of Licensing Policy.  Human Rights Legislation has been borne in mind whilst making this decision. 

All the evidence presented both written and given orally today, has been carefully considered and taken into account including additional evidence submitted by the police at the hearing and with the consent of all the parties.  The Sub-Committee particularly addressed itself to the licensing objectives for the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the prevention of public nuisance.

Having considered all of the above, and all the options under s52, sub section 4, the Sub-Committee has decided to attach the conditions agreed between the police and the premises licence holder in advance of the hearing and reduce the opening hours at the premises to those recommended by the police including an additional condition limiting last entry or re-entry at the premises to 0030 hours every day of the week, excepting for those going outside the premises to smoke.

Reasons

The Sub-Committee considered very carefully all the evidence and held very grave concerns in relation to the nature of the most recent incidents at the premises and in particular the violent assault involving those previously on the premises on the 22 January 2016.  In addition the Sub-Committee noted the catalogue of incidents relating to general crime and disorder and nuisance at the premises from November 2014 as presented in police evidence.  It was noted that the premises is located within an area designated as suffering from disproportionate levels of crime and disorder and identified in the Council’s policy as an area suffering from the saturation of premises.  Much of the residents’ evidence goes to highlighting the nature of issues faced by this identified area and therefore the reasoning behind the adoption of the policy that is in place.  However, the Sub-Committee focussed its mind on the evidence clearly linked to the premises rather  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.