Agenda and minutes

To agree the procedure rules for remote hearings.

RESOLVED –

THAT the guidance be agreed.

There were no apologies.

Councillor Callaghan declared that she was a Ward Councillor for Camden Town, the ward where Electric Ballroom premises was located. She informed the hearing that she had not discussed the application with anybody and maintained an open mind.

Broadcast of the meeting

The Chair to announce the following: “In addition to the rights by law that the public and press have to record this meeting, I would like to remind everyone that this meeting is being broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and can be viewed on our website for at least six months after the meeting. After that time, webcasts are archived and can be made available on upon request.

If you have asked to address the meeting, you are deemed to be consenting to being filmed and to the use of those images and sound recordings for webcasting and/or training purposes. If you are addressing the Committee your contribution will be recorded and broadcast.”

Webcasting

The Chair announced that the meeting was being broadcast live to the internet and would be capable of repeated viewing and copies of the recording could be made available to those that requested them. Those participating in the meeting were deemed to consent to having their contributions recorded and broadcast.

Supplementary Agenda

Since the publication of the agenda, a supplementary agenda had been published in relation to item 7, it contained additional information submitted by;

·       The Police (Responsible Authority); and

·       The applicant.

There was no urgent business.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd August 2023

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 3 August 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Executive Director Supporting Communities

This is an application to vary a premises licence under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003.

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Director Supporting Communities detailing an application to vary a premises licence under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The Licensing Officer summarised the report. He highlighted that the variation was

a)    to reduce the alcohol hours for consumption off and on the premises on Mondays to Wednesdays from 11.00 -0.3.00 to 11.00 – 0.2.00,

b)    to extend the alcohol hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 11.00 – 0.3.00 to 11.00 – 4.30 and on Sunday 12.00 – 0.2.00.

c)    The application also sought to amend condition 17 on the premises licence which was on page 86 of the agenda relating to the number of people at any one time on the premises when public entertainment was being provided from 1100 to 1500.

He further highlighted that the premises already had permission for a 1500 capacity for live music and were requesting the same capacity for public entertainment.

In addition, it was clarified that the reference to restaurants, cafes and coffee houses being engaged in relation to the Premises Policy was an error in the report and should not have been included.

PC Dominic Hallam, Police responsible authority, summarised their representation included within the main agenda (pages 172-179) and supplementary agenda (pages 3-9). In summary, it was highlighted that the premises was situated within the Council’s cumulative impact policy area (CIPA). The purpose of the CIPA being to control the amount of crime that occurred within a small area due to the number of licensed venues. It was highlighted that from the statistics provided Camden Town was already a high-risk area for many offences and the application did not fall under any of the exceptions listed in Camden’s statement of licensing policy.

He pointed out that the venue was proposing to increase its opening hours on the busiest nights of the week, increasing the levels of toxication as alcohol would be available for longer attracting more people to the area thereby increasing cumulative impact and potential for more victims of crime. Particularly, as the Electric Ballroom was situated in one of the riskier areas for sexual offences and violent robberies, this would create more demand on police resources.

He noted that the premises was considered to be a well-run venue, police requests were dealt with effectively, staff were always helpful, however this could not be considered as an exception to the CIPA. Due to the increased impact the extended opening hours of the premises would have in the area, the Panel was asked to reject the variation application in its entirety.

Piers Simey Public Health responsible authority summarised their representation included within the main agenda (pages 192-193) in summary it was highlighted that harmful and hazardous drinking was an increasing public health issue with major costs to individuals, communities and societies, resulting in a major impact on services across London and nationally driven by availability of alcohol. Further the variation application did not appear to fall within any of the exceptional  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

There was none.