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.

Licensing Objectives:

· Crime & Disorder

 Representations by:

 · Metropolitan Police

Ward: Bow East

At the request of the Chair, Ms Corinne Holland, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a Section 53A expedited review hearing for Colour Factory,Unit 8a Queens Yard, London E9 5EN. It was noted that a review under Section 53A could only be triggered by a senior officer of the Metropolitan Police when there had been a serious incident of crime or disorder. Ms Holland explained that today’s meeting would be to make an interim decision, followed by a full review hearing within 28 days, from the date of receipt of the application which was made on the 20^th February 2023.

At the request of the Chair, Mr James Rankin Counsel for the Metropolitan Police explained that at 04:43a.m. on Saturday 11^th February 2023 a fatal stabbing occurred outside the premises, which both the victim and suspect had attended earlier. Mr Rankin said the premises licence holder, Mr Nathanael Williams, had been exceptionally co-operative in aiding the Police investigation, allowing access to CCTV footage as well as voluntarily closing the premises whilst the investigation was on-going. Mr Rankin said spot-checks of the CCTV undertaken by the police showed patrons were searched before entering the premises. However, there was concern that processes and procedures at the premises could be tightened to promote the licensing objective of prevention of crime and disorder. Mr Rankin said the proposed conditions put forward were agreed with the Premises Licence Holder and would ensure the premises could re-open safely. Mr Rankin then took members through the proposed conditions and acknowledged conditions 7 and 8 were a duplication of conditions 3 and 4.

The Sub-Committee then heard from Mr Graeme Cushion, solicitor for the Premises Licence Holder. Mr Cushion stated his client, Mr Nathanael Williams had operated the premises for the last three years and had an exemplary record in running licensed premises. He said that on behalf of his client he wished to express his sincere condolences to the victim and the family. Mr Cushion stated that the upon hearing of the incident, Mr Williams had fully cooperated with the police investigation and had ceased his business partnership with the promoter for the event which took place on the 11^th February 2023. He said the Premises Licence Holder did not wish to be associated with events which give rise to crime and disorder. Mr Cushion said they had met with the Metropolitan Police’s Licensing Team and had come up with a set of proposed conditions that would ensure the safe re-opening and operation of the venue. Mr Cushion said his client had agreed to the proposed conditions.

In response to questions the following was noted;

• Mr Rankin clarified that the weapon used in the fatal stabbing of the victim was not found inside the premises.

The Applicant and the Premises Licence Holder had no concluding remarks to make.

Decision

This is an expedited review interim steps hearing for the premises licence held in respect of the Colour Factory,Unit  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.1

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.