The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and announced the procedure of the meeting, which was noted by the Committee.

To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992.  See attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

There were no declarations of interest made.

At the request of the Chair, Ms Gurwinder Olive, Senior Lawyer introduced the report which set out the terms of reference of the Licensing Committee and the process for the determination of Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEVs) transitional applications by existing operators under the statutory scheme.

It was noted that the function for determining SEV applications was reserved to the Licensing Committee by the Council when the legislation for licensing of SEVs was adopted on 26 March 2014.

Ms Olive explained that the Tower Hamlets Sex Establishment Licensing Policy proposes ‘nil’ as the appropriate number.  The Policy provides that the Council will not apply this limitation when considering applications from existing operators if they can demonstrate in their application:

·                    High standards of management

·                    A management structure and capacity to operate the venue

·                    The ability to adhere to the standard conditions for SEVs

It was noted that applications had been received from four existing operators and the Licensing Committee Hearings for these applications had been listed separately to allow Members sufficient time to consider the separate applications.

A Licensing Committee Hearing took place on 17 March 2015 in respect of Nag’s Head and a further Licensing Committee Hearing took place on 14 April 2015 in respect of White’s Gentleman’s Club.  It was noted that the Committee did not make a decision on either of the above dates.  The meeting on each occasion was concluded with applicants being advised that matters would be determined after consideration of all applications.

It was further noted that the applications for White Swan and Metropolis would be considered by the Licensing Committee at this meeting, as these applications are to be considered on paper in the first instance, as there were no objections or history of complaints. 

Ms Olive concluded by stating that further legal comments were contained in the reports for each application.

At the request of the Chair, Ms Kathy Driver, Licensing Officer introduced each application in detail making reference to the report and appendices contained in the agenda packs.

Ms Driver highlighted each application as follows;

·         That the transfer of the licence took place in 2013

·         That they had has a licence historically

·         That the venue was split in two parts, one part was designated for SEV activity and one part was for the bar area.

·         That there was one licence for the whole venue

·         The pub was mainly for the Gay community. 

·         That the consultation and advertisement processes were complied with.

·         That there were no objections against the application

·         That the hours applied for were in line with current hours.

·         That the CCTV camera system was now of a better quality,

·         That residents within 50 meters of the premises were written to

·         That the determination of the vicinity around the premises was set at 100 meters from the premises.

·         That the licensee was in place since 2005

·         Current licence was under the old regime

·         That the current premises licence was for the ground floor, 1^st floor and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.1