Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made pursuant to the Member’s Code of Conduct.

The Sub-Committee noted the agreed procedure for the conduct of business and the terms of reference.

(Director of Neighbourhoods)To consider the attached report and documents.

The three Councillors that presided over this item were Councillors Angold-Stephens, Adams and Boyce.

The Chairman introduced the Members and Officers present and outlined the procedure that would be followed for the determination of the summary review. The Chairman welcomed the participants and requested that they introduce themselves to the Sub-Committee. In attendance on behalf of the applicant were counsel for the Police, Ms Jung, Licensing Officer P Jones, Inspector Thomas and Sergeant Alcock . On behalf of the objectors were Mr B Singh the new owner of the premises in question and his legal representative Mr G Grant.  Also in attendance were five other interested parties.

(a)          The Application before the Sub-Committee

The Assistant Director, Neighbourhood Services, introduced the application. This application for a summary review was brought by the Police for The Villa, Cottis Lane, Epping and was made on 3^rd March 2015. In accordance with Section 53A (3) (a) of the Licensing Act 2003 a copy of the application and certificate under Section 53A (1)(b) was served on the holder of the Premises Licence and all Responsible Authorities. The Police stated in their opinion the premises was associated with serious crime and disorder and requested that the Licensing Authority suspend the licence pending a full review. Subsequently the applicant appealed the interim steps and this appeal was heard and was disallowed.

The application for the full review was advertised in accordance with the legislation inviting representations from Responsible Authorities and Interested Parties.

He noted that on 25 March the premises supervisor along with a change in ownership changed to a Mr B Singh.

He also noted that they had received an email from the solicitors for Club 195 saying that they had received correspondence confirming the change in closing times for the new premises to 2am, together with agreed conditions proposed by the police.  They confirmed that their client would be happy to withdraw their representation based on the proposed hours and conditions being imposed along with the removal of facilities for dancing.

They also believed that it would be beneficial for the premises manager to meet with the Police once a month, perhaps for the first three month, to discuss any concerns. They would also be happy to attend the meeting if requested.

Also tabled was a draft prospectus with proposals for the development of the premises into a Sushi and cocktail bar.

He asked that the members of the Sub-committee consider what steps were necessary for this review.

(b)          Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

Ms Jung, on behalf of the Police said that they had made the application for The Villa nightclub due to its history of violence as listed in their summary attached to the agenda. She went through the incidents listed, highlighting the stabbing that occurred on 6^th September 2014 and this latest incident on 1^st March 2015 of a large scale disorder, when a number of people returned to the club brandishing weapons. Pictures of this incident were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.