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
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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.
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To note the rules of procedure which are attached for information. Additional documents: Minutes: The rules of procedure were noted.
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING(S) PDF 96 KB To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 2nd December 2014.
Minutes: The minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee meeting held on 2nd December 2014 were agreed and approved as a correct record.
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ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION |
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Additional documents: Minutes: This item was resolved prior to the meeting.
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Additional documents: Minutes: At the request of the Chair, Mr Alex Lisowski, Licensing Officer, introduced the report which detailed the application for a review of the premises licence for The Westferry Arms, 43 West India Dock Road, London E14 8EZ. It was noted that the review had been triggered by the Metropolitan Police and supported by Environmental Health. There were also representations made in support of the Premises.
At this point Mr Philip Somarakis, Legal Representative for Mr Oliver Sheridan, Leaseholder, asked Members to consider some late supporting documents submitted less then 24 hours before the meeting, they included photos, invoices, showing the level of investment being made, character references and a report from an Independent Licensing Consultant. After much discussion Members agreed to accept the late supporting documents.
At the request of the Chair, PC Mark Perry, Metropolitan Police, explained that the Police have serious concerns about the Westferry Arms pub, despite several interventions by the Police, and conditions added to the licence the premises continued to come to notice for both drugs and violence.
He further explained that this had been further exacerbated by poor management, and a lack of control of customers. It was noted that the pub had attracted a number of customers who use the pub to take class A and class B drugs and also use the premises for selling stolen property. As a result of this police have been approached by people who have worked in the pub and local residents who have given statements about their concerns relating to the pub.
PC Perry then went on to refer to his statement contained on pages 77-85 of the agenda detailing incidents concerning the premises. In particular he mentioned that on the 18th June 2013 at 1.15pm whilst in the yard of the Limehouse Police Station, Police Officers smelt a strong smell of cannabis in the air coming from the direction of the Westferry Arms Public House. Police drove out of the police station and around outside the Westferry Arms where they saw a group of three smoking outside the pub. Police drove into Birchfield Street where they witnessed the group of three go back into the Westferry Arms.
He also described incidents which occurred on 5th July 2013 and 26th April 2014 when police carried out visits at the premises. Drugs swipes were taken from the toilets of the Pub, testing for the presence of cocaine. In the presence of the then DPS Mr Husted, positive traces of cocaine were found in all toilets. He then highlighted other similar incidents and asked Members to note the statements from residents, customers and ex staff describing how drug dealing was openly done.
It was also noted that the Police had met with the Premises Licence Holder, Punch Traven and agreed to a set of conditions by way of a minor variation to help address concerns. These were also emailed to Mr Lee, DPS at the time, on 7th May 2014 ... view the full minutes text for item 4.2 |
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ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIR CONSIDERS URGENT Minutes: There was no other business.
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