Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Peter Goss, Democratic Services Manager 0208937 1353, Email: peter.goss@brent.gov.uk
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Declarations of personal and prejudicial interests Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, any relevant financial or other interest in the items on this agenda. Minutes: Councillor Long explained that she was familiar with the premises as a local person but did not frequent them. She also stated that she had served on a sub-committee that had considered a previous review of the licence. |
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Additional documents:
Minutes: Before the chair opened the meeting, the legal representative briefed members on the options open to them and referred to the Home Office guidance.
The Committee heard from the Licensing Officer, who explained the rationale behind the Police application and reasons for it.
The Committee then heard from the PC Sam Lewis-Evans in respect of the Police recommendations for a change in the licence conditions. She presented the case as outlined in the papers before the sub-committee. This set out that there had been two serious incidents involving violence with glass at the premises within the last 12 months. PC Lewis-Evans informed the sub-committee that the latest incident amounted to a serious crime for which a sentence of in excess of 3 years imprisonment could be imposed and as such amounted to serious crime and/or represented serious disorder.
PC Lewis-Evans indicated that a proportionate response to these incidents would be to amend the conditions of the premises licence so as to ensure that either polycarbonate or plastic glasses were used so as to remove the potential for any future injury by glass.
Members of the sub-committee questioned the Police on aspects relating to the operation of the premises which were now primarily used as a hostel.
PC Lewis-Evans then read the following statement she had received from the licence holder:
“At the outset, the safety of our hostel guests, pub guests and staff will always be our initial concern – otherwise we would end up with none. It concerns and slightly annoys me that this is somewhat of a knee-jerk reaction for the following reasons: 1. Nick Mortimer advised me that that the victim was a ‘known’ person and was part of an independent advisory board – basically indicating that he would be treated with a higher status and weight i.e. police need to be seen to be doing and acting etc. Further he advised that the Brent was ‘jumpy’ because of a recent shooting.
I have known the victim (***) for over 5 years and …… the other victim for over a year. … is an educated, well-mannered and well-spoken individual. Having said this, he would not frequent a place multiple times a week if it we a den of serious anti-social behaviour or violence. On an identical note, …… has stayed with us as a hostel guest (on and off) for over a year. To this end, I would be more than confident to say that the victims would think it ridiculous if the premises needed to use plastics because of this incident – notwithstanding they were the victims. However, if the victims are of this opinion I would have no problem in implementing plastics out of respect for what has happened.
2. Our income is 80% hostel and 20% bar. In terms of numbers, outside bar guests are about 10%. The bar is really a hostel lounge – there are no events at all, on any day or night of the week.
Simply because … ... view the full minutes text for item 2. |