Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest, identified in the Code of Conduct for Members to determine: whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take. For further details, see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are also reminded to declare the nature of the interest at the earliest opportunity and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it is the Members’ responsibility to identify any interests and also update their register of interest form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of an interest, you are advised to seek advice prior the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services.

There were no declarations of interest.

The rules of procedure were noted.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 7^th & 21^st June 2022.

The minutes of the meetings held on 7^th & 21^st June 2022 were agreed and approved as a correct record. 

This item was resolved prior to the meeting and therefore did not require consideration.

At the request of the Chair, Mr Ibrahim Hussain, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a new premises licence for DZRT, 622 Roman Road, London E3 2RW. It was noted that objections had been received on behalf of the Licensing Authority in relation to the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder.

At the request of the Chair, Mr Karim Chowdhury, Applicant, explained that the business had first started operating during the pandemic offering a delivery service only. He explained that he only realised that he was in need of a licence for late night refreshments when a positive test purchase was conducted at the premises on 16^th April 2022. He said he was not aware of any complaints about the premises as they had not come directly to him. It was noted that he had not received the warning letter from the Council as the shop shutter was faulty which meant that post was not being received. He explained that when he did find out, he had applied for the licence straightaway, Mr Chowdhury highlighted the difficulties he faced during the application process as some parts were unclear.

Mr Chowdhury stated that there was no representation from the Police or residents, and having contacted Environmental Health, an agreement had been reached with Environmental Health regarding a reduction in hours and the inclusion of conditions. This had led to confusion on his part, as he had assumed that the agreement with Ms Cadzow from Environmental Health meant that he had been granted the licence and that he could provide late night refreshment. Mr Chowdhury expressed his regret for his confusion and misunderstanding, and apologised for the resultant provision of late night refreshment without a licence. Mr Chowdhury assured the Sub-Committee that he would abide by the conditions proposed by the responsible authorities.

He said that not all people who hang around on Roman Road are his customers, as there were many licensed premises in the area and it is hard to determine which individuals in the street are customers of his business. It was noted that the premises did have any regulated entertainment and did not sell alcohol, but merely sold desserts with no seating for customers inside the premises, and was seeking to be licensed to sell its desserts during the hours permitted only under a late night refreshment licence.

Members then heard from Ms Lavine Miller-Johnson, Licensing Officer, she referred to her representation on pages 163-167 of the agenda and explained the reasons for her objections. Firstly the applicant had not provided sufficient information in the application with any details of adequate measures that would be in place whilst licensable activities took place, there were no conditions offered in the operating schedule and the plan had very little detail. She said that although the hours had been reduced, it was not clear what time the premises would be closing. 

Ms Miller-Johnson then highlighted what had been witnessed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.2

The Sub Committee may be requested to extend the decision deadline for applications to be considered at forthcoming meetings due to the volume of applications requiring a hearing.  Where necessary, details will be provided at the meeting.

Members agreed to extend the decision deadlines for the applications below to the dates stated; Licensing applications were extended due to the impact of the pandemic, and were adjourned under regulation 11 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, it was in the public interest to do so, and did not require representation from parties to the applications.