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.

At the request of the Chair, Mr Mohshin Ali, Licensing Officer introduced the report which detailed an application by Mr. Daniel Aiudi for a premises licence in respect of Taco Taco, 141 Commercial Street, London E1 6BJ. The application sought to allow the sale by retail of alcohol (on and off sales) on Monday to Sunday, from 12:00 hrs to 21:00 hrs. Representations were received against the application from residents on the basis of preventing crime and disorder and preventing public nuisance.

At the request of the Chair, Mr Aiudi, applicant, recognised the importance of the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Area, and sought to demonstrate how if the application were granted, his business would not add to the cumulative impact of noise and anti-social behaviour in the area. Mr Aiudi explained that the business was a small, food-led establishment with a seating capacity of 18 people. It was not alcohol-led and alcohol would be ancillary to the sale of food. This was reflected in the conditions offered, and conditions agreed with the responsible authorities, such as alcohol being supplied only to persons seated to take a table meal for consumption with the meal, no vertical drinking of alcohol on the premises, and all alcohol sold for off sales consumption being in sealed containers, ancillary to food orders.

Mr Auidi presented such conditions as addressing residents’ concerns about behaviour fuelled by customers drinking alcohol in the street. The impact of noise on residents would be mitigated by controlling the number of patrons on site and operating within the Council’s framework hours.  The pricing structure would not attract anti-socially behaved people seeking to purchase cheap alcohol. The applicant suggested he sought to take reasonable steps to prevent the premises adding to the cumulative impact in the area, if the application was granted. He further confirmed that his business had operated for one year so far. The premises had been soundproofed to ensure that background music did not affect local residents.

In response to question the following was noted;

-       In relation to paragraph 7.3 on page 22 of the agenda pack, the applicant confirmed that the business has no outdoor area, and that immediately outside the front of the premises had benches where patrons might sit after leaving the premises, although they would not be served out there.

-       The applicant proposed that staff would monitor and maintain that area immediately outside the premises every 20 minutes, particularly to ensure that it was free of rubbish left by patrons.

-       The applicant clarified that paragraph 7.4 on page 22 of the agenda pack was intended to limit deliveries to the premises to the hours of 8am to 6pm. 

-       The applicant withdrew that part of his application relating to non-standard timings.  

The objectors did not attend the meeting, but had submitted written representations expressing concerns about noise, litter, other anti-social behaviour, smells, and the increased potential for crime and disorder, which were considered by the Sub-Committee.  

Decision

This  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.1

At the request of the Chair, Mr Mohshin Ali, Licensing Officer introduced the report which detailed an application by Mr. Selim Balta for a premises licence in respect of The Widows Son, 75 Devons Road, London E3 3PJ.

The application sought the following: -

The sale by retail of alcohol (On sales only): -

Monday to Thursday, from 12:00 hrs to 22:30 hrs

Friday and Saturday, from 12:00 hrs to 23:30 hrs

Sunday, from 12:00 hrs to 22:30 hrs

The provision of late-night refreshment indoors from Friday and Saturday, from 23:00 hrs to 00:00 hrs.

Representations were received against the application from residents on the basis of noise disturbance, particularly from loud music and from patrons in high spirits.

At the request of the Chair, Ms Dilek Alagoz, the applicant’s licensing agent said that the application was made by a family business seeking to take over operation of the premises from the existing premises licence holder. The applicant had no details of issues arising under the existing premises licence holder and had no connection with the existing premises licence holder. The applicant had tried engaging with local residents to assure them that things would be better run under new management, but there remained objections from residents based on issues with the existing premises licence holder.

It was noted that the operating schedule for the application differed significantly from that of the existing premises licence, which the applicant did not seek to take over. In particular, the applicant would not provide live music at the venue and the hours sought were fewer than those in the existing premises licence. The applicant explained that it was a family friendly run restaurant, closing earlier than the premises had under the existing premises licence holder.

The objectors did not attend the meeting, but had submitted written representations expressing concerns about disturbance from loud music and patrons in high spirits having arguments, which were considered by the Sub-Committee.   

Decision

This application engages the licensing objective of preventing public nuisance.    

The absence of objection by any of the responsible authorities was of neutral weight.

The Sub-Committee appreciated the legitimate concerns of residents based upon noise disturbance suffered when the premises were run by the existing premises licence holder.

There was no evidence that the applicant was connected with the existing premises licence holder. The applicant had provided assurances that there would be no repeat of the above issues under his management. That allied to the conditions offered, and conditions agreed with Environmental Protection gave the Sub-Committee confidence that the applicant would uphold the licensing objectives, particularly preventing public nuisance.

Accordingly, the Sub Committee unanimously;

RESOLVED

That the application for a new premises licence for The Widows Son, 75 Devons Road, London E3 3PJ be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

Sale by retail of alcohol (On sales only): -

Monday to Thursday, from 12:00 hrs to 22:30 hrs

Friday and Saturday, from 12:00 hrs to 23:30 hrs

Sunday, from 12:00 hrs to 22:30 hrs

Late-night  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.2

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.

Nil items.