Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Deputy Keith Bottomley, Deputy Kevin Everett and James Tumbridge.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2019.

The public minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2019 were approved as a correct record.

To receive the public minutes of the meeting regarding the application for Dabbers Social Bingo, 18-22 Houndsditch, EC3A 7DB on 18 January 2019.

Members noted the public minutes of the Dabbers Social Bingo hearing on 18 January 2019.

To receive the public minutes of the meeting regarding the application for Half Cup, Unit 9, 22-23 Bartholomew Close, London, EC1A 7BB on 4 February 2019.

Members noted the public minutes of the Half Cup hearing on 4 February 2019.

To receive the draft public minutes of the meeting regarding the application for Pelt Trader, 23 Dowgate Hill, EC4N 6AP on 19 March 2019.

Members noted the public minutes of the Pelt Trader hearing on 19 March 2019.

The Committee were advised that there were two hearings planned for the following week against two new premises licences in the City: Rez Buffet Restaurant on 16 April 2019 at 10.30am and Rocket on 18 April 2019 at 1pm. Members were advised that a request for an adjournment had been received from the Applicant’s agent regarding the Rez Buffet Restaurant hearing.

The Committee were also advised that a licence variation application had been received by Gremio de London Ltd. The Applicant was instructed to restart the 28-day representation period again as the Applicant did not alter their blue notices on the premises following submission of an amended application as advised. It was noted that the new last date for representations was 7 May 2019.

The Comptroller and City Solicitor to be heard.

The Comptroller & City Solicitor advised the Committee that there were currently no appeals.

Report of the City of London Police.

The Committee received a resolution from the Police Committee and a report of the City of London Police in response to a resolution from the Licensing Committee concerning the Late Night Levy finances and police expenditure. The following comments were made:

·       Members were advised that following the last Committee meeting, an investigation was made looking into potential overspend. It was confirmed that the underspend was not carried forward, but funds were absorbed by Police costs on Levy issues.

·       Following changes in governance, a new robust system has been implemented which would involve a far more detailed analysis between the Corporation and the COL Police. This would include a regular meeting chaired by Chief Superintendent Maleary and had senior Licensing Officer representation.

·       It was confirmed that in future, any underspend would be put back into the Levy.

·       In response to a query regarding the actual expenditure items in the Late Night Levy accounts table, Members were advised that:

o   “Additional officer” concerned costs for a Police Constable.

o   “Christmas” was the annual Christmas campaign costs.

o   “New Year’s Eve” was the annual New Year’s Eve campaign costs.

o   “Licensing operations (Various)” covered licensing business.

o   “Alcoblow devices” regarded breathalysers used on licensed premises doors to test that people were fit to drive.

o   “Evidence gathering” concerned covert deployments in licensed premises.

o   “Reassurance patrols” covered extra Police patrols needed in the event of an emergency, e.g. a terrorist attack.

o   “Covert investigations” concerned the costs of covert investigations.

o   “Street Pastor scheme” was a Friday night project in the City.

o   “SOS Bus” was a night time project providing support and first aid to the public.

o   “Smithfield Market Xmas safety marshalls – 50%” and “Xmas Advertising campaign” covered costs specifically regarding public safety during the Christmas period.

o   The

Report of the City of London Police.

The Committee considered a report of the City of London Police regarding violent crime from licensed premises during the period 1 January to 25 March 2019.

·         The report covered a period of 84 days whereby there were 86 Violence Against Persons (VAP) offences in or outside Licensed Premises (17 offences in January, 41 in February and 28 in March) reflecting an increase in this crime type. This was mostly stranger assaults.

·         Members were advised that there was an increasing trend for crime within not just the City but the UK as a whole.

·         It as noted that there had been an increase in thefts in the City, the majority being opportunist thefts on the floor of premises. The COL Police have been working on a campaign against distraction thefts engaging with the public and premises to raise awareness.

·         A misprint of the peak hours for VAP offending was noted which should have stated 12-1am.

·         It was noted that statistics elsewhere reflected that crime numbers were going down, not up as this report advised. Members questioned whether there were any themes to support the increase in crime. Members were advised that it was difficult to source the specific social issues as the Square Mile was a unique area, but Brexit and pressures in the City were offered suggestions for the recent rise in crime.

·         A Member queried whether the number of licensed premises were increasing. Members were advised that there had been a gradual increase, especially in the last two years, but this was slowing down with approximately 60-70 new premises applications received every quarter; however, this coincided with approximately 50-60 premises transferring or closing.     

·         In response to a query regarding whether the Late Night Levy reflected an increase in premises staying open later, Members were advised that the Levy

Report of the Interim Director of Consumer Protection and Markets Operations.

(N.B. – To be read in conjunction with the non-public appendix at Item 13)

The Committee noted a report of the Interim Director of Consumer Protection and Market Operations regarding the delegated decisions of the Interim Director of Consumer Protection and Market Operations pertaining to premises licences.

RECEIVED.

London Marathon

A Member requested an update on the proposals to manage spectators during the London Marathon following the detrimental effect of overcrowding at Trinity Square last year where a band performs each year affecting the family friendly atmosphere.

Members were advised that the COL Police had already communicated with the Chief Executive of the London Marathon regarding the issues and plans were in place to deal with antisocial behaviour including a barrier, making the footpath a charity stall area, onsite fully trained public order enforcement officers and horses and a police CCTV van in the area as a visible deterrent. It was also noted that the band and dj would be replaced with a brass band. Licensed premises were working with the COL Police to ensure they have extra security, use plastic glasses and agree to close 3pm if requested to by the Police.

In response to a concern of displacement elsewhere in the City, Members were advised that Officers would remain on duty throughout the City.

There were no urgent items.

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.

RESOLVED – 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 Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2019.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2019 were approved as a correct record.

To be read in conjunction with Item 8.

The Committee received a non-public appendix report to the report under agenda item 8 pertaining to premises licenses which included the names of each premises.

There was one question.  

There were no urgent items.