Agenda and draft minutes

To appoint a Chair for the duration of the meeting.

It was MOVED by Councillor Denton and SECONDED by Councillor Degrads and RESOLVED, to appoint Councillor Cummings as Chair of the meeting.

Members are invited to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) and other registrable and non-registrable interests they may have in relation to any item(s) of business on today’s agenda.

There were none.

To receive notice of any business not on the agenda which in the opinion of the Chair, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no items of urgent business.

The Sub-Committee is asked to determine whether to grant the application for a variation to a premises licence at 83-84 High Street, South Norwood, SE25 6EA.

The Chair outlined the procedures for the Licensing Hearing in line with the Licensing Act 2003 and the Council’s protocol. The applicant Thomas Kering, the applicant’s agent Robert Sutherland and the two parties who had submitted representations Faith Oswell-Jones and Jenny Patel were all present. The Licensing Officer advised the Sub-Committee the application was for a variation to a premises licence at 83-84 High Street, South Norwood, SE25 6EA. The process for a variation application and the ability for responsible authorities and ‘other persons’ to raise representations was summarised.

The Sub-Committee was advised that the application sought an extension to the current premises license which had been granted in late 2022. The application was for an extension to the terminal hours for the playing of recorded music, the provision of late-night refreshment and the sale by retail of alcohol, Sunday to Thursday 11.00pm to 12.30pm, Friday and Saturday until 2.00am and each bank holiday, the day preceding a bank holiday, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve until 2.00am. It was noted there had been an amendment by the applicant following discussions with the police licensing officer to attach the conditions detailed in Appendix A3, this included a reduction to the permitted hours sought. The conditions attached to the current premises license would remain in effect if the variation was granted. In response to questions from the Committee, officers advised a licence at the address had been revoked previously however the applicant had not been the premises licence holder at the time.

The first objecting party was given the opportunity to speak. Faith Oswell Jones advised:

·       They were a local resident living close to the premises.

·       The premises had previously been a Natwest bank and Oceanic Bar.

·       They believed whilst the licence holder was now different there had been an overall presence of the same person, who could not be on the site of the Jungle Bar during licensed hours.

·       They had not had sight of the amended application with conditions.

·       There had been a number of incidents with people blocking the pavement outside the Jungle bar with patrons holding drinks outside and smoking.

·       There was an alley way to the rear of the premises utilised as a smoking and parking area.

·       These issues had been raised with the police licensing team.

·       There was music and lighting in the upstairs areas of the premises which had been allocated as being a dining area.

·       There was regular loud music which could be heard from outside the premises.

·       The upper floors of the premises were residential.

·       They did not feel the current license was working well.

·       They had had email correspondence with the police about the noise complaints and felt they did not have capacity to deal with the issues.

·       The Council’s noise pollution team did not have an out of hours service. The complaints were therefore made via email and required residents to submit photographs/videos.

·       The premises had blocked the pavement by roping off areas for queues.

·       Laughing gas cartridges  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4/22

The Sub-Committee is asked to determine whether to grant the application for a premises licence at 6 Beddington Terrace, Mitcham Road, Croydon, CR0 3HG.

An adjournment to the Licensing Sub-Committee hearing was requested by Miss Crossfield, of Counsel representing a party who had made representations. Miss Crossfield stated she had been instructed directly, and that there was an ongoing police investigation of a matter which was connected to the Premises Licence Application. Miss Crossfield said this matter had arisen very recently, and that her client intended to appoint a solicitor, but had not yet done so due to shortness of time. The Sub-Committee heard representations from the Applicant’s representative on this request, who requested that the hearing should proceed. 

The Licensing Sub-Committee RESOLVED, to adjourn the meeting to 5 February 2024 as it considered this to be necessary to facilitate the receipt of additional information regarding the police investigation, and consequently the full and proper consideration of the representations made by the party concerned, whilst minimising any prejudice to the Applicant arising from the delay in determining their Application.   

The meeting ended at 3.05 pm.

The following minutes are from the reconvened meeting of Licensing Sub-Committee on 5 February 2024 at 9.30 am.

Present: Councillor Patsy Cummings (Chair), Councillors Nina Degrads and Danielle Denton.

The Chair opened the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee and advised that it was a continuation of the adjourned Licensing Sub-Committee meeting held on Monday 22 January 2024. It was confirmed that the membership of the Licensing Sub-Committee remained unchanged. The Chair outlined the procedures for the Licensing Hearing in line with the Licensing Act 2003 and the Council’s protocol.

The applicant Mr Seelan, their agent Mr Nira Suresh, the other parties who had made representations (objectors) Mr Sinnathamby and Mr Shabanathan and Mr Raj Boodhoo legal representative of Mr Sinnathamby were all present. The objecting parties were accompanied by a translator.

The Mr Boodhoo requested an adjournment to the hearing. They advised an update from the Licensing Team had been requested via email regarding the police matter raised at the hearing on 22 January. The Licensing Officer advised the adjournment had been requested on 22 January by Mr Sinnathamby’s legal representative due to an allegation that a threat had been made. The adjournment had been granted and the Licensing Team had requested that the objecting party submit any additional information in relation to the matter for consideration by the Sub-Committee in preparation for the hearing on 5 February. The Licensing Team had received an email from the police on the matter and if required this could be discussed in private session.

The Sub-Committee was advised that it was not the role of the council to investigate or provide an update on the allegation made.

The Chair invited the applicant to make representations on the request for an adjournment. The applicant’s agent commented that the allegations were false and the applicant had no relationship with the objecting parties. The previous adjournment was noted and they did not wish there to another.

Mr Boodhoo advised the grounds for the adjournment request were that it appeared there was an ongoing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5/22

The following motion is to be moved and seconded where it is proposed to exclude the press and public from the remainder of a meeting:

“That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within those paragraphs indicated in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.”

This was not required.