There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 13^th December 2018 as an accurate record of the proceedings.

The minutes from 13^th December 2018 were agreed and approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

Ms Natalie Thompson, Principal Environmental Health Officer informed members the application before them was to consider the renewal of a Special Treatment Licence for Redbud (London) Ltd t/a Oasis Spa, 1 Whites Row, London E1 7NF.

Ms Thompson stated that the Licensing Authority was objecting to the renewal of the licence following evidence obtained that services of a sexual nature were being offered by the business at the premises. Ms Thompson stated the business was being prosecuted by the Council for breaching the conditions of the licence and the matter was listed for trial for the 27^th March 2019 at Thames Magistrate Court. Ms Thompson referred members to paragraphs 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of the report which gave further details of the circumstances for which a Special Treatment Licence is required. Ms Thompson also referred Members to paragraph 4.4 which listed the grounds for refusal, in accordance with the London Local Authorities Act 1991.

Ms Charlotte Basten, Environmental Health Officer provided Members with a detailed account of the investigation she had undertaken. She said the team had conducted an investigation of the premises and had employed a test purchasing company to conduct test purchases. The table at 8.1 of the report was amended and copies were handed to Members and the Applicants at the meeting.  This document showed the number of visits made since the licence had been in place.

Ms Basten stated three test purchases had been carried out, of which the one conducted on the 27^th March 2018, showed services of a sexual nature were being offered at the premises. Ms Basten referred members to her report at page 53 and drew attention to the test purchaser’s witness statement at page 95 of the agenda which gave details of the test purchase.

Ms Basten stated further breaches had been observed, with the company not employing any female masseuses that were registered with a professional body approved by the Council. Therefore masseuses, without the correct qualifications are not allowed to massage anyone of the opposite sex below the neck and above the knee. In addition to this further evidence from an online website confirmed services of a sexual nature were being offered at the premises.

Ms Basten stated the Licence Holder, Ms Zhou was listed as the Director of the business and the application for the renewal of the licence had been made by Ms Zhou.

Ms Basten asked Members of the Licensing Committee to refuse the renewal of the Licence based on the evidence before them.

Ms Zhou, the Licence Holder was also present at the meeting and was represented by Mr David Hislop QC with the assistance of an interpreter.

Mr Hislop cross-examined Ms Thompson and Ms Basten on the evidence submitted before proceeding to present his clients application. The following was noted from the cross-examination:

·         Ms Thompson in reference to page 20 of the agenda pack, and the bullet points summarising the events, confirmed she had not made independent enquiries to verify the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.1

Mr Tom Lewis, Team Leader for Licensing and Safety presented his report on the Late Night Levy: Annual Review. Mr Lewis stated report was to note the work achieved by the levy. Mr Lewis said the Late Night Levy had come into effect in January 2018 whereby licence premises holders who were permitted to sell alcohol between the hours of 00:00 hours (midnight) and 06:00 hours (6am) were required to pay the Late Night Levy.

Mr Lewis referred members to paragraph 6.1 of the report which showed the income generated and paragraphs 7.1 and 7.2 which gave further information of the initiatives introduced. Mr Lewis also explained the outcomes as set out at paragraph 7.3 of the report.

In response to questions from Members the following was noted:

·         New initiatives had been identified for the surplus monies of £111,335 and this would be spent by next year.

·         Mr Lewis confirmed he expected the budget for the Late Night Levey to remain the same.

·         Members of the Committee congratulated Mr Lewis and his team for what they had achieved.

Members of the Sub-Committee RESOLVED to NOTE:

1.    The work achieved via the levy revenue, the income and the expenditure.