Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor J C Stilts be appointed Chairperson for the meeting.

IN THE CHAIR: COUNCILLOR J C STILTS

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and took the Committee through some general housekeeping arrangements.

There were none.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registrable interests and Non-Registrable Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraph 9 and Appendix B of the Code of Conduct for Members.

(Members are reminded that they are also required to disclose any such interests as soon as they become aware should the need arise throughout the meeting).

Councillor M F L Durham disclosed that he was a personal licence holder for the sale of alcohol and had previously been the holder of a justice licence.

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery (copy enclosed).

The Sub-Committee received the report of the Director of Service Delivery regarding the Application for a review of a Premises Licence.

The Chairperson outlined the procedure that would be followed in the meeting and asked all those present to introduce themselves. She then called on the Lead Licensing Officer to present the report. The Officer provided an overview of the report highlighting the points of consideration for the Sub-Committee.

The Chairperson then invited the applicant (Essex Police) to make an opening statement.  Speaking on behalf of Essex Police, Ronan McManus, provided the Sub-Committee with details of the request for a review of the premises licence and highlighted the evidence submitted (detailed in Appendices B and C of the report).  The Sub-Committee were advised that Essex Police were seeking for the late-night refreshment licence to be revoked entirely and the reasons for this were given.

Following the applicant’s statement, the Chairperson invited the Premises Licence Holder, Mr Gigil, to make his opening statement. Speaking through his interpreter (Mr Ozpaias) Mr Gigil stated that the four persons arrested were not working for him but had come to visit following loss of family members following an earthquake in Turkey.

In response to questions from Members Mr Gigil (speaking through his interpreter) advised he had owned and run the premises for three years.  He provided further clarification regarding the four persons arrested and his interaction with Immigration Officers when they attended his premises.  Mr Gilgil confirmed that he employed four members of staff for whom he paid tax and national insurance contributions.

On confirmation that there were no further questions, the Chairperson invited the Premises Licence Holder to make a closing statement.  Mr Gigil asked the Sub-Committee not to remove his late-night licence, referring to the difficulty the loss of it would bring for him as a large amount of his income came from his trade after 11pm.

Following invitation from the Chairperson, the applicant then made a closing statement. 

The Chairperson thanked everyone present for their contributions and advised that the meeting would now close.  The Sub-Committee would then consider the evidence made before reaching its decision.  All parties would be notified of the decision within five working days of the hearing.

The Sub-Committee having carefully considered all the information contained in the report and related Appendices together with the information provided by all parties at the meeting:

RESOLVED that the Premises Licence for the provision of late-night refreshment at Maldon King Kebab, 169 High Street, Maldon be REVOKED.