Agenda item

To receive the public minutes and decision notice of the meeting regarding ‘Widegate Street Bar Limited’, 20-21 Widegate Street, E1 7HP, held on 16 January 2017.

The Committee received the public minutes and decision notice of the meeting regarding ‘Widegate Street Bar Limited’, 20-21 Widegate Street, E1 7HP, held on 12 January 2017.

A Member, who had also served as Chairman for this particular Licensing Hearing, noted that there were a number of complaints listed against this premises and that these were detailed in today’s Committee papers (at agenda Item 12). He suggested that this information should have been made available to the Panel before the Hearing and asked that all future Hearing Panels receive similar information where it exists going forward.

The Deputy Chairman commented that she was surprised to learn that Environmental Health Officers had chosen to make no representations in this case. She added that she was also surprised to see that the Applicant’s Solicitor had submitted additional paperwork that appeared to comment on the personal circumstances and state of mind of one of the individuals making representations. She stated that she found this extremely inappropriate and of no relevance to the Panel’s considerations.

The Member who had chaired this hearing clarified that he had made all parties aware of the relevant issues throughout the meeting. He also confirmed that Officers from the City’s Environmental Health Team were present at the hearing and, at no point, made any comment. The Port Health & Public Protection Director confirmed that Environmental Health Officers and all other responsible authorities were notified of forthcoming hearings and always made representations where these were considered necessary.

With regard to complaints received against premises, the Licensing Manager cautioned that these were not always justified. Members recognised this but stated that it would, nevertheless, be advantageous to be made aware of all complaints lodged against any premises that was the subject of a Licensing Hearing alongside details of how these were dealt with and what conclusions had been drawn from them (e.g. whether these were deemed to be unsubstantiated or vexatious). In response to a question from the Chairman, the Comptroller and City Solicitor confirmed that it would not be prejudicial for the Hearing Panel to receive this information going forward.

RECEIVED.