Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast. Participants are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking.

2.         The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the internet (or filmed) and will be capable of repeated viewing (or another use by such third parties).

If you are seated in the lower public seating area it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in the possibility that your image will become part of the broadcast.

This may infringe your human and data protection rights and if you wish to avoid this you should move to the upper public gallery.”

The Chairman made a short address to remind everyone present that the meeting would be broadcast to the internet and would be capable of repeated viewing, which could infringe their human and data protection rights.

To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

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

To note the adopted procedure for the conduct of business by the Sub-Committee.

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

To consider the attached application to vary a Premises Licence in respect of Aura, 179-181 High Road, Loughton.

The three councillors that presided over this application were Councillors R Morgan (Chairman), I Hadley and J M Whitehouse.

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Mr Umut Demir, the applicant, and Mr David Dadds, the applicant’s legal advisor / counsel. Councillor Carol Davies, who was Chairman of Loughton Town Council’s Planning and Licensing Committee, was attending as an objector to this application. The Chairman introduced the Members and officers present and outlined the procedure that would be followed for the determination of the application.

(a)       Application before the Sub-Committee

The application was for a variation of the premises licence at Aura, 179-181 High Road, Loughton IG10 4LF. The variation was in relation to the plan only, as detailed below:

·       The plan of the premises had changed in that the location of the toilets, kitchen servery and preparation areas on the ground floor of the premises had been varied within the plan.

·       On the first floor, the toilets had been reconfigured and the bar servery moved away from the toilet area.

·       The customer area for licensable activities had not increased or materially changed.

·       The changes to layout related to the toilet, kitchen, servery and back of house corridor areas.

·       There was no variation to the hours or conditions of the existing licence.

The application had been received on 1 April 2022. A copy of the existing licence for the premises, the application for variation, the new plan and the public notice were attached in the agenda report. The Responsible Authorities had all received a copy of the application, it was also advertised at the premises and in a local newspaper. All residences and businesses within 150 meters radius of the premises had been individually consulted.

The authority had received a representation from Loughton Town Council and one representation from a local resident. The representations related to the prevention of crime and disorder and the prevention of public nuisance.

(b)       Presentation of the Applicant’s case

The applicant’s representative, Mr Dadds, explained the changes to the internal layout of the premises, as shown on the existing plan and the new plan, which did not expand the licensable area. The applicant had made a significant investment in the premises, which would also offer local employment. No objections had been received from Licensing, Public Health or the Police. The Town Council’s representation was detailed on page 43 of the agenda but nothing new could be added to this objection. If the application was granted the premises would open very soon.

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

The Licensing Sub-Committee asked the following questions.

·       Would there be an increase in capacity on the seating plan? Mr Dadds replied, no.

·       Was there a change to the outside area? Mr Dadds clarified there was no change and the outside area had actually been reduced.

·       What were the number of people allowed outside the premises? Mr Dadds advised that this was not part of this licensing application but to do with the planning application.

·       Could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.