Agenda and draft minutes

RESOLVED that the public and press be excluded from the remaining proceeding of the meeting in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, on the grounds that exempt information, as detailed in Paragraph 1 (information relating to any individual) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, was likely to be disclosed.

There were no declarations reported at the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 15th and 20th September, 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Sub-Committee considered an application for Personal Licence. At the commencement of the hearing, the Chair welcomed all parties to the meeting, and outlined the procedure to be followed.

The Sub-Committee Members, the Applicant, and the persons making representations had received a copy of the agenda prior to the meeting. The Senior Licensing Practitioner introduced the report and outlined the key points in relation to the application.

The Applicant and those objecting to the application attended the meeting made representations and answered questions. All parties were then asked to leave the meeting, whilst the Sub-Committee deliberated on the application and reached a decision.

All parties were invited back into the meeting and informed of the Sub-Committee’s decision.

RESOLVED having considered the application for a Personal Licence        and have taken into account the representations made and the evidence presented today, the steps that are appropriate to promote       the Licensing Objectives, the Home Office Guidance and our             Statement of Licensing Policy and we have decided to reject the      application for the purpose of promoting the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder.

            The Committee noted the background details around the conviction.           The Applicant provided details of his previous employment and outlined       what he had received the conviction for. The Applicant said that he       was very remorseful, but he was in a ‘bad place’ mentally. He stated             that this was his first conviction and it had helped him as he had been         able to access support for his mental health.

The Objectors solicitor for asked Applicant if this had been his first   conviction, the Applicant confirmed that he did have a conviction, but it    was spent.  The objector’s solicitor pointed out that they only asked this             of the applicant because he had indicated this was his first conviction.             

The applicant was also asked whether he had read the declaration at          page 21 of the agenda which stated that it was an offence to make a false statement, the applicant confirmed that he had, but he had been    advised by ‘Get Licence’ that he did not have to include the conviction.

            The Committee were very concerned at how recent the conviction was,      with this not been spent until 2025 and for being an offence of       dishonesty.  The Committee was also concerned that the applicant had          failed to disclose the conviction on his licence application, he had been             ill-advised and ought to have checked with the Council’s licensing team      if he had doubts.  The Committee were disappointed that the applicant   stated this had been his first conviction when it transpired it was not. 

            The Committee were not satisfied that granting the licence would     promote the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder.