Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Nominations for a Chairman of the Licensing Sub-Committee were sought and it was

Resolved:

To elect Councillor Desna Allen Chairman for this meeting only.

The Chairman gave details of the exits to be used in the event of an emergency.

The Sub-committee were informed that, as part of their representations, the police intended to present an extract from a covert camera used to watch the premises.

The Sub-Committee resolved to exclude the public and press from that part of the hearing when the CCTV footage was being presented. This was on the basis that the footage would identify individual members of the public. The Sub-Committee considered that it would not be in the public interest for the CCTV footage to be shown in the presence of the public and that the provisions of Regulation 14(2) of the Hearings Regulations applied in this instance. 

To consider and determine an Application by Wiltshire Police for a Review of the Premises Licence in respect of The Court House, 2 Castle Street, Trowbridge, BA14 8AN.

Please note that the supporting evidence (Appendix 2b) due to the large volume of this paperwork has not been circulated with this Agenda. A copy of the submission is available for viewing upon request by Members of the Public during normal opening hours at the Wiltshire Council, County Hall Offices,  Bythesea Road, in Trowbridge.

Application for Review of Premises License by Wiltshire Police for The Courthouse, 2 Castle Street, Trowbridge.

The Chairman asked the Licensing Officer to introduce the purpose and scope of the application, the premises to which it related and the key issues for consideration.

The application relates to a Review of the Courthouse Premises License for the sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment.  Following advertisement of the application, no additional representations from responsible authorities or interested parties had been received.

Since November 2005, the premises has benefitted from a Premises Licence issued under the Licensing Act 2003.

The premises Licence was subsequently varied and granted in November 2007 to extend the hours of the licence until 0600hrs Monday to Sundays.  The License was transferred to Ms Lisa Sutton in February 2010.  Ms Sutton applied to have Mr Gary Pickett named on the licence as Designated Premises Supervisor in August 2011.

On the 30 September 2011, an application for a review of the Premises Licence was served on the premises and the Licensing Authority.  The review of the licence has been requested by Wiltshire Police on the grounds that the premises have been conducted in such a manner as to prejudice the licensing objectives.  The grounds for review were:

·       The premises had been associated with high levels of crime and disorder.

·       Police and Licensing Authority have attempted to work with the management of the premises over this period including numerous interventions and whilst short term improvement have been made for a short period of time, the premises has reverted back to being the subject of unacceptable levels of associated crime.

·       March 2011 a serious incident occurred directly outside of the premises involving door staff and an ejected customer which is the subject of a criminal investigation.  The incident provides evidence of assault by a member of door staff, as well as a lack of basic welfare and aftercare combined with a failure to provide police with accurate details of what actually took place.

·       In summary the police have serious concerns that the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder and public safety are not being supported.

There were no questions to the Licensing Officer and the Chairman thanked the Licensing Officer for her report.

Jacqui Gallimore, Licensing Officer for Wiltshire Police detailed the relevant points in support of the review application. 

The Wiltshire Police Licensing Officer described that the Courthouse operates within a busy and vibrant night time economy, which includes pubs, clubs, numerous late night refreshment premises and taxi ranks.  She went on to explain the recording systems that the Police had used and examined in relation to the Courthouse, specifically alcohol related arrest data and the Niche record management system.         

·       Alcohol related arrest data is collected through the divisional custody units, where detainees are booked into custody following an arrest for any office to establish if they are under the influence of alcohol.  Those who have consumed alcohol are will be questioned when sober.

·       The niche  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.