Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
Venue: The Council Chamber, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG
Contact: Simmi Yesmin, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4120, E-mail: simmi.yesmin@towerhamlets.gov.uk
No. | Item |
---|---|
DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST PDF 64 KB 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.
Minutes: There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest.
|
|
To note the rules of procedure which are attached for information. Additional documents: Minutes: The rules of procedure were noted.
|
|
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION |
|
Additional documents: Minutes: This item was resolved prior to the meeting as both objectors had withdrawn there objections and therefore no longer required consideration by the Licensing Sub Committee.
|
|
Additional documents:
Minutes: At the request of the Chair, Mr Andrew Heron, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a review of the premises licence for Preem Restaurant and Balti House, 118-122 Brick Lane, London E1 6RL. It was noted that the review had been triggered by the Metropolitan Police and supported by Trading Standards and the Licensing Authority.
At the request of the Chair, Mr Leo Charalambides, Counsel on behalf of the Metropolitan Police explained that this application for review was deemed so serious that the only response was to seek for revocation of the premises licence. He referred Members to the guidance issued by the Home Office under Section 182 of the Licensing Act and in particular to paragraph 11.26 relating to Powers of a Licensing Authority on the Determination of a Review.
He explained that Brick Lane was within the Cumulative Impact Zone which was a wider community burden and this was exacerbated by restaurants touting. He explained that there was a Local Authority bye-law to tackle issues of touting but this seemed to have been ignored in this case. It was noted that there had been three reviews prior to this meeting, at the first review in January 2011 Members imposed conditions on the licence, the second review took place in October 2011 and Members imposed a two week suspension and a third review in November 2012 when Members imposed a four week suspension.
He explained that touting was a problem and a cause of many other problems such as anti-social behaviour, public nuisance and crime and disorder. He explained that the Premises Licence Holder, Mr Azmal Mert Hussain, had ignored previous suspensions and breached a number of licensing conditions and continues to do so. He highlighted the fact that none of the previous decisions have been challenged and therefore it was accepted by Mr Hussain that touting and breaches of conditions had been taking place.
Mr Charalambides highlighted that the minutes at the previous meeting confirmed that Mr Hussain had stated that he would not be touting anymore and would take positive steps to promote the licensing objectives, but obviously failed to keep to his word as staff at Preem were caught by PC O’Rourke only 2 ½ weeks later touting and still continue to tout. There was also reference to page 231 of the agenda, Mr Hussain’s supporting documents, which also referenced Mr Hussain admitting to touting, admitting to conspiracy and informal agreements with other restaurateurs.
Mr Charalambides also stated that Trading Standards and the Licensing Authority agreed with the Police that only revocation would be suitable as Mr Hussain had had ample opportunities to mend his ways but still continues to repeatedly breach conditions. It was also noted that previous reviews had not been challenged, that there had been a number of prosecutions where Mr Hussain has been found guilty and in total been fined over £12k. He also referred to all the police evidence/witness statements contained in the ... view the full minutes text for item 3.2 |
|
ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIR CONSIDERS URGENT Minutes: There was no other business. |