Agenda and minutes

(Assistant to the Chief Executive) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor K Angold-Stephens declared a personal interest in Item 5 of the agenda – Review of Premises Licence – Crystal Lounge, 126 High Road, Loughton, as he was a member of the Loughton Residents Association who had made a representation on this item,                     however, he was not part of their Licensing Committee and had no input into the objection. The Councillor said that his interest was not prejudicial and he would remain in the meeting.

At the start of Item 5, Councillor Angold-Stephens declared that he was acquainted with the Solicitor acting on behalf of the Crystal Lounge and declared that his interest was now prejudicial and he would not sit as a member of the Sub-committee and take no part in the decision.

The Sub-Committee noted the agreed procedure for the conduct of business, and the Terms of Reference.

(Director of Corporate Support Services) To consider the attached report.

The members who presided over this application were Councillors K Angold-Stephens, L Leonard and Mrs M Sartin. The Chairman welcomed the applicant, Mr Parker and introduced the members and officers present.

(a)        The Application before the Sub-Committee

The Assistant Director (Legal), Alison Mitchell, informed the Sub-committee that an application had been received for Street Trading consent at Warren Wood Public House, Epping New Road. The applicant currently had a street trading consent to sell flowers at the site and wished to include the sale of sea food. The District Council had received one representation from Buckhurst Hill Parish Council.

(b)       Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

Mr Parker addressed the concerns of the Parish Council saying that his stall would not increase traffic on that road as it was not a cut through or a short cut. There were no objections from the authorities such as the Police or highways. He submitted a sketch and photos of the area involved to the Sub-committee. He added that his stall was situated 38 metres from the main road and would not cause parking problems.

He would agree to reduce his working days to Friday, Saturday and Sundays if that would help his application.

(c)        Questions to the Applicant from the Sub-Committee

Councillor Mrs Sartin asked if his stall was on a permanent site. Mr Parkers said that it was, but it did have wheels. Mrs Sartin then asked where would he store the sea food, was there a freezer? Mr Parker replied that there would be one linked up to the public house.

Councillor Leonard asked about his past criminal record and Mr Parker gave the Sub-committee details of this.

Councillor Angold-Stephens asked why he wanted to give up his application for the Thursday. Mr Parker said that he would like to keep and use the Thursday as a trading day but was willing to give up that day if it would help in gaining his consent.

Councillor Mrs Sartin clarified if he would be running his flower stall alongside the sea food stall; Mr Parker said that he would be running the both stalls together.

(d)       Consideration of the Application by the Sub-Committee

The Chairman asked Mr Parker to leave the Chamber while they considered his application. They received no advice from officers.

            RESOLVED:

That the application for a Street Trading Consent to sell sea food, Warren Wood Public House, Epping New Road, by Mr T Parker be granted.

(Director of Corporate Support Services) To consider the attached report.

The members who presided over this application were Councillors Mrs M Sartin, Mrs R Gadsby and J Knapman. Councillor Sartin took over as Chairman for this application.

The Chairman welcomed the participants and introduced the members and officers present and then requested that the participants introduce themselves to the Sub-Committee.

In attendance on behalf of the application for review were Mr S Fisher, Licensing Officer Essex Police, Inspector Tom Simons, and PC Paul Christian.

In attendance on behalf of The Crystal Lounge were Mr R Sutherland, representing the applicant and his clerk; also, Mr A Kundra, owner and Designated Premises Supervisor of the Crystal lounge and Ross Parry, the General Manager.

In attendance on behalf of the objectors were Mark Pidgeon, Mrs Clark, Mrs J Woodman and N Tibbott, local residents. County Councillor Chris Pond, representing the Loughton Resident’s Association. Councillor C Finn, District Ward Councillor, representing Mrs Woodman. Councillor R Barrett, neighbouring District Ward Councillor. David Baker, Epping Forest District Council Planning Officer.

Councillors Leonard and Angold-Stephens as observers.

(a)        The Application before the Sub-Committee

The Assistant Director (Legal), Alison Mitchell, informed the Sub-committee that an application for review of the premises licence had been received for the Crystal Lounge, 126 High Road, Loughton, Essex, on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

(b)       Presentation of the Applicants Case

Inspector Tom Simons said that the Police had called the review following a number of disorder issues. They had noticed that there had been fewer instance of disorder when the Lounge had closed earlier. However, they had now come to an agreement with the Crystal Lounge to reduce its hours and to stop serving alcohol at 1.00am and to close at 1.30am Friday and Saturdays. The Police were happy with this arrangement and had withdrawn their review.

The Chairman asked if any of the other objectors would like to set out their case.

Councillor C Pond, spoke on behalf of the Loughton Residents Association and Loughton Town Council. They had noted the new arrangement made with the Police, but were still not happy with it.  He drew the attention of the Sub-committee to the written representations sent in by local residents. This, he suggested gave enough reason to revoke their licence entirely under crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance and protection of children from harm. Underage drinkers have been found on the premises, if need be the sub-committee could add conditions to deal with this; although this would not clear up the disturbances outside.

Mr Pidgeon, a local resident said he still perceived this as being unacceptable. There was loud music and noise from the crowd leaving the premises which meant that he could not get to sleep. Also he noted that rubbish, in the form of cans, bottles and other detritus was thrown into his front garden. This constituted a public nuisance. When people had moved into the area the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.