To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were submitted on behalf of Councillor F. Haque. Councillor O. Rahman was present as a member of the Licensing Committee.

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 Chief Executive.

There were no declarations of interest.

To note the rules of procedure which are attached for information.

Noted.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 24^th April and 7^th May 2008.

The minutes of the meetings held on 24^th April and 7^th May 2008 were approved as an accurate record. 

The Licensing Officer presented the report and advised of the hours of operation and the licensable activities that were sought. Representations had been received from the Metropolitan Police.

Alan Cruickshank, on behalf of the Police, reported that the premises had been operating since at least February 2008 without a premises licence. Police and trading standards officers had attended the premises on numerous occasions and carried out test purchases and this had been raised with Mr Khan.

The application for the new premises licence had been submitted by Mr Rahman and whilst this should be borne in mind, it should also be noted that Mr Rahman was a business partner of Mr Khan and that both were personal licence holders.

PC Cruickshank also reported that whilst the application stated that staff at the restaurant would be offered compulsory training, Mr Rahman had not shown any understanding of the licensing objectives himself. CCTV should also be installed to cover both inside and outside the premises. If Members were minded to grant the application, PC Cruickshank asked that the conditions he had tabled should be added to the licence.

Mr Wilmott, representing the applicant, queried the need for the condition that stated that a personal licence holder should be on the premises in the evening and asked if this condition was usually attached to curry houses. Mr Wilmott also drew attention to the fact that there had been no representations from Environmental Health and that the sale of alcohol would end 30 minutes before closing time.

It was clarified for Members that Mr Rahman would now be responsible for managing the premises and that this had not been the case during the period covered in the police comments.

At this point, the Chair advised that the Sub Committee would consider the second application before retiring to consider both applications.

Following their adjournment, the Chair reported that the Sub Committee had RESOLVED

That the application for a new Premises Licence for Papadoms, 94 Brick Lane, London E1 6RL be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

Hours premises are open to the public: Monday to Saturday 12:00 to 24:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 23:30

Sale of Alcohol: Monday to Saturday 12:00 to 23:30 and Sunday 12:00 to 23:00

Late Night refreshment: Monday to Saturday 23:00 to 24:00 and Sunday 23:00 to 23:30

Regulated Entertainment (recorded music only): Monday to Saturday 12:00 to 24:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 23:00

No Touting policy to be adopted and appropriate signage displayed

CCTV to be installed inside the premises and immediately outside. The CCTV must be working at all times the premises are open for business. The CCTV system shall incorporate a recording facility and any recordings shall be retained and stored in a suitable and secure manner for a minimum of one calendar month.

At least one person on the premises will be trained to operate the recording equipment and be competent in its operation.

The Licensing Officer outlined the report and the details of the variation to the current licence that was sought. Representations had been submitted by local residents, none of whom were present.

Mr Chowdhury, a friend of the applicant, reported that they had tried to speak to the two named resident objectors and had been unable to identify any resident with the name given in the first letter; the second resident did not use the shop and had no complaints directly about the shop but rather about the noise and disturbance of people on the street.

Brick Lane was a busy and vibrant area where there were always people on the street and generating a degree of noise. The Police had made no comment or representation to the application and there were similar shops in close proximity that operated similar hours to those requested.

At this juncture, 7.45pm, the Chair advised that the Sub Committee would now adjourn for a short comfort break before continuing in private session to consider the information and evidence presented.

The Sub Committee reconvened at 8.05pm and the Chair reported that Members had RESOLVED

That the Application to Vary the Premises Licence for 41 Brick Lane, London E1 6PU be GRANTED but with the hours of operation as detailed and subject to conditions:

Hours premises are open to the public and for the sale of alcohol: Sunday to Thursday until 24:00, Friday and Saturday to 01:00

CCTV to be operational at all times

A refusal book to be kept and maintained for inspection.