Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room - 2nd Floor West Wing, Guildhall. View directions

Contact: Bose Kayode
tel. no.: 020 7332 3113  Email: bose.kayode@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Sophie Fernandes (Deputy Chairman), Emma Edhem,  Christopher Hayward and Judith Pleasance.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Members' declarations under the Code of Conduct in respect of items on the agenda

Minutes:

Deputy Edward Lord declared a general non-pecuniary interest in respect of agenda item 8, on account of his long term friendship with Laura Willoughby of Club Soda.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Public Minutes pdf icon PDF 333 KB

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2017.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

In response to a query about underspends and recoverable costs, as set out under Item 6 (Revenue Outturn 2016/17), officers agreed to respond to this outside of the meeting.

 

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2017 be approved as a correct record.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Minutes of Licensing Hearding (Subs): pdf icon PDF 119 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

a)             Beer and Buns  

 

 

The Committee received the decision notice and public minutes of the meeting regarding the application for ‘Beer and Buns’ of 20 Bury Street, EC3A 5AX on Thursday 10th August, 2017.

 

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b)             Brewskee  

 

 

The Committee received the decision notice and public minutes of the meeting regarding the application for Brewskee Ltd. of 64 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 8TB on Friday, 11 August 2017.

 

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c)              Bob Bob Exchange 

 

 

The Committee received the decision notice and the public minutes of the meeting regarding the application for ‘Bob Bob Exchange’ of 122 Leadenhall Street, London, EC3V 4AB on Wednesday 16th August 2017.

 

Members noted an error whereby Brewskee’s representative, Mr Gerald Gouriet, was a QC.

 

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d)             Zebrano 

 

 

The Committee received the decision notice and public minutes of the meeting regarding the application for ‘Zebrano’ of Dukes House, Dukes Place, London, EC3A 7LP held on Wednesday 23rd August, 2017.

 

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e)             Lucky Voice 

 

 

The Committee received the decision notice and public minutes of the meeting regarding the application for Lucky Voice (SOHO) Ltd Eastcastle House, 27-28 Eastcastle Street, London W1W 8DH on Thursday, 21 September, 2017.

 

Members noted that, following the above decision, the Applicant indicated that they would not be seeking to establish a premises in this location as the permitted hours for licensable activities granted by the Sub-Committee did not fit their intended business model.  The Committee were advised that the Licence would be active for 12 months but would be suspended if the fee was not renewed.  The applicant could also transfer the Licence at any time. If suspended at the time of transfer, the licence would be reinstated once any outstanding fees were paid. The Town Clerk agreed to check the minute template so

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Appeals against Licensing (Hearing) Sub Committee Decisions

The Comptroller and City Solicitor to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Minutes:

The City Solicitor was heard in respect of an  anticipated appeal against a recent decision of the Licensing Sub Committee.  The City Solicitor advised Members of the format of the Appeal Hearing, which would re-hear the application, taking into account the City of London Corporation’s Decision and new evidence would be permitted.  

 

The Town Clerk advised that the decision letters had been sent out to the relevant parties and the draft minutes finalised and they would be shared with Members of the Licensing Committee

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Charity Collections Policy pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection in respect of current legislation for managing street and house to house charity collections.  The report sought to introduce a Charity Collections Policy to ensure all relevant parties were aware of the criteria to be adhered to.  Members noted that previous decisions were taken on custom and practice and the Policy before them would give greater flexibility to decision-making when using non-statutory criteria.

 

During the discussion and questions, the following points were noted:

 

  • Open buckets were only permitted on private land (including station forecourts) but not on highways or open spaces. 

 

  • Members asked for regular summary reports showing a list of collectors, the number of boxes and the amounts in each box.

 

  • The Policy would be reviewed every 3 years, in line with other Licensing Policies.

 

  • ‘Chuggers’ were self-regulated but could incur penalty points in the event of a breach and would be stopped from operating after a certain number.  They were not permitted to take cash or cheques and most signed up to self-regulation.  The City of London Corporation had the authority to decide on numbers, location and days etc.  Whilst they had not, so far, entered into such an agreement, they report any breaches to the appropriate organisation and regularly approached Chuggers and asked for their credentials. Members noted that there had been no complaints this year. 

 

  • In respect of the 25m distance between collectors, Members noted that this was a statutory requirement, over which the City of London Corporation had no jurisdiction.  Similarly, all animals were prohibited and the regulations were silent in respect of guide dogs. 

 

  • Members suggested that the word ‘exceptional’ in the following paragraph be replaced with ‘at its discretion’:  Permits will normally be granted for one day only and permit
 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Safety Thirst Update

Director of Markets and Consumer Protection to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

The Director of Markets and Consumer Protection was heard in respect of the Safety Thirst Awards Ceremony which had taken place the previous day.  Members noted that 45 awards had been presented, including 2 top awards for ‘Core’ and ‘Revolution’.  Members noted that evaluations were based on audits and feedback from the City’s Licensing Liaison Partnership meetings; the Police; Fire Authority; Environmental Health and other relevant services including Cleansing Officers. Members felt very strongly about visible smoking areas and the resultant litter.  

 

Members agreed the awards were very successful as they showed Licensee’s willingness to adopt safe, good practices and thereby change perceptions of their premises. 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Club Soda Update pdf icon PDF 90 KB

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Minutes:

 Members received a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection in respect of actions taken in order to ascertain whether £40,000 could be spent, from the Night Time Levy monies, to extend the work undertaken in the City of London by Club Soda.  Members were reminded that, as a result of submitting the necessary documentation, a delegated decision had been taken in order to fund Club Soda for another twelve months from both the levy and local risk budget as not all of the Club Soda work in this second year was attributable to the night time economy and premises that paid the levy.  As requested in the minutes of the last meeting, Members had received a Business Plan and the Statement of Accounts for Club Soda.  Licensing Officers advised that funding would be released in tranches, with the next due pre-Christmas, and further update monitoring reports would be presented to the Licensing Committee. 

 

Members noted the dates of the next Spitalfield Festival: 24/25 November 2017 and asked if all Members of the Committee could be advised. 

 

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted. 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Delegated decisions of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection pertaining to premises licences. pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

To be read in conjunction with agenda item 14  which contains a non-public appendix in respect of this item.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection in respect of delegated decisions taken by the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection pertaining to premises licenses and enforcement action taken under the Licensing Act 2003 between 1 July and 30 September 2017.  Members noted a non-public appendix in respect of this item at agenda item 14.

 

During the discussion and questions on this item, the following points were noted:

 

  • The Police advised that if the ‘no promoted events’ condition was offered, even for premises closing at 11 or 11.30 pm, they were accepted as they could apply to events on boats during the day.  Members suggested that the text be amended to state ‘anytime’, rather than ‘no promoted events’. 

 

  • A Member could not recall seeing a notice displayed in respect of one of the Premises and the Licensing Manager agreed to check that due process had been followed. 

 

  • Licensing officers did not suggest changes to applicants but provided pre-application advice.   The use of standardised conditions is not permitted therefore the wording in our ‘Pool of Conditions’ can sometimes be changed to make them appropriate and necessary.  The suggestion of standardised conditions could prejudice any future hearings/appeals.  Members would receive a report on Conditions at a future meeting. 

 

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted. 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Any other business that the Chairman considers urgent

Minutes:

There were no urgent items.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Minutes:

RESOLVED, That – Under 100A(4) of the Local Government act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 

Item Nos.                                                         Paragraphs No

14-17                                                               3, 5

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

NON-PUBLIC MINUTES

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on xxx.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Minutes:

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2017 were approved.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Delegated decisions of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection pertaining to premises licences.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.  To be read in conjunction with the report at Agenda Item 9.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Minutes:

The Committee received a non-public appendix in respect of Agenda item 9 (Delegated Decisions of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection pertaining to Premises Licences). 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Violent Crime from Licensed Premises

Report of the Commissioner, City of London Police.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner, City of London Police in respect of violent crime from Licensed Premises.  

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

NON PUBLIC QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT AND WHICH THE COMMITTEE AGREE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHILST THE PUBLIC ARE EXCLUDED

Minutes:

There were no items.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.