Agenda and minutes

To agree the procedure rules for remote meetings.

RESOLVED –

THAT the guidance be agreed.

An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Nina de Ayala Parker. Councillor Meric Apak was in attendance as substitute.

Councillor Simpson announced for transparency that he had been on a tour of the premises to be discussed at Items 7 & 8 and he had met Paul Broadhurst, who was in attendance supporting the application in January 2023, and attended a music event, which he had paid for. He had not had any discussions with anyone regarding the applications.

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 be consenting to being filmed and recorded.

Supplementary Agenda and Tabled Paper

A Supplementary Agenda and Tabled Paper were published, which included an amendment to the report in respect of Lower Third and additional documentation submitted by the Applicant and Covent Garden Community Association, in respect of Lower Third and HERE.

Amended Procedures

As both premises were part of the same development members decided to amend the procedures to hear submissions on both applications together but they would deliberate on them separately.

There was no such notification.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th August 2023.

Consideration was given to the Minutes from the previous meeting.

RESOLVED –

THAT Members agree the Minutes from the meeting that took place on 17 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.

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 the reports of the Executive Director Supporting Communities detailing applications to vary a premises licence under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The Chair briefly summarised the procedure that would be followed during the

hearing of the licence applications, in respect of Lower Third and HERE.

Sarah Williams, Licensing Officer, summarised both reports and confirmed that the applications were for premises in the Seven Dials Cumulative Impact Policy Area (CIA). The Licensing Officer reported that prior to the meeting, the Police Responsible Authority had withdrawn their representation regarding HERE after agreeing conditions with the applicant, these conditions were set out in the Tabled Paper.

In response to a question the Licensing Officer confirmed that there was a detailed site plan at page 39 of supplementary agenda.

Lisa Sharkey, representing the applicant, confirmed that there were no amendments to the applications.

Esther Jones, Licensing Team Leader, representing the Licensing Responsible Authority summarised their representation, objecting to both applications, as set out in the agenda pack.

Responding to a question, the Licensing Team Leader explained that their representation had been submitted due to the premises being located in the Seven Dials CIA. They had not withdrawn their representation due to the number of outstanding representations received in objection but stated they were satisfied that, due to the proposed conditions, the licensing objectives would be upheld by both applications.

Clarity was sought as to whether any complaints had been received by the Council regarding Lower Third and HERE. The Licensing Team leader reported that no complaints regarding neither premises had been received by the Licensing Service. However, other Council services or responsible authorities could have received complaints.

Responding to a following question, the Licensing Team Leader noted that the Environmental Health Responsible Authority had been consulted on the application and did not submit representations notwithstanding any complaints they may have received.

David Kaner, Covent Garden Community Association, summarised their representation in objection to the application, and referred to the additional submission outlined in the supplementary agenda. The following concerns about the applications were expressed:

• The number of patrons arriving and leaving added to the cumulative impact of an already busy area.
• The venues were believed to attract illegal activity to the area, including the sale and use of drugs.
• Some of the patrons using the venues parked their cars illegally on the pavements and seemed to have no regard for enforcement and had continued to park illegally despite parking tickets being issued.
• Residents had observed noisy, busy queues despite the existing conditions on the HERE Licence indicating that the NOW Building and NOW Trending could be used as a ticket hall for maximum attendance events.
• All of these factors had a negative impact on residents, who found having these premises close by detrimental to their quality of life.

Sarah Herriot, local resident, summarised their representation in objection to the applications, drawing particular attention to the noise generated by people queuing for the venues and illegal parking in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

There was none.