Agenda and minutes

To agree the procedure rules for remote meetings.

RESOLVED –

THAT the guidance on remote meetings be agreed.

Apologies were received from Councillor Angela Mason.

There were no declarations of interest.

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.

Other Announcements

Before moving onto the main agenda, the Chair announced that it was Sheridan O’Grady’s (Licensing Officer) last licensing panel meeting before retiring after 44 years working for Camden Council. He also noted that that Councillor Angela Mason (Panel Member for Licensing Panel E) was retiring as a councillor. On behalf on Panel Members and officers, he thanked them for their hard work and valuable contribution over the years. Lastly, it was the last meeting of Licensing Panel E as it was currently constituted ahead of the elections, he thanked Councillor Steve Adams for his contribution over the year.

There was no such business.

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 for an application to vary a premises licence under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003 for Zeo's situated at 150 Southampton Row London, WC1B 5AL. The Licensing Officer stated that in total there were 13 representations, all objections, to the application (11 of which were included in the report).

There were no amendments to the application, as outlined in the agenda, made by the applicant.

Julie Peterson (Licensing Enforcement Officer) objected to the application. She outlined the concerns and complaints history against the premises within her representation. Taking those into consideration, it was highlighted that within condition 18 of the current licence it stated that any music played should be of a soft and a background nature. Given that the applicant had made no amendments to their application to remedy the issues raised, attempts to satisfy the licensing objectives. It was her view that even in the event of any additions conditions, the licensing objectives would still not be met.

Lee Parella (Environmental Health) objected the application. He outlined his concerns listed within his representation which included a complaints table. The applicant was looking to increase activities and hours of the premises whilst not providing any mitigating measures for current issues. It was apparent after speaking with the applicant that the restaurant was not performing well and needed to diversify to be financially viable. The property was not designed for late night club activities, in relation to: high music levels, late night dispersal of patrons, general public nuisance, residential and student accommodations directly above and surrounding the venue. A TENs event took place on the weekend of 30 May 2022 which caused significant public nuisance. Following all previous issues, this event was an opportunity to prove they were able to manage their premises effectively and in his view they demonstrated they were not able to operate as a late night bar.

Joel Francis (MET Police) objected the application. He outlined his representation which covered the risks associated to an increase in activities and hours correlating to the risk of crime and detriments to the licensing objectives.  There were not adequate mitigations in the application to support the expansion of hours, which accounted to the issues with the operation. The applicant had not engaged with the Police prior to the hearing. Currently the restaurant was operating as a bar lounge on the ground floor and hosted late night private parties with a focus on alcohol sales. He highlighted this naturally increased the risk of violence. With an extension of late night hours, patrons would naturally be more intoxicated and were less likely to order food which promoted the venue as an alcohol led destination.

Referring to the Environmental Health representation stating there was a lack of confidence the Applicant could operate in a way that would not have a negative impact on the community, whilst offering suggested conditions, the Chair  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

There was no urgent business.