Agenda and minutes

To agree the procedure rules for remote meetings.

RESOLVED –

THAT the guidance on remote meetings be agreed.

There were no apologies.

There were none.

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.

There was no urgent business.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2024.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Executive Director Supporting Communities.

This is an application review a premises licence under section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003.

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Director Supporting Communities, which detailed an application to review a premises licence under section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report and highlighted the following information:

• The review was requested by Haverstock Action Group.
• There had been complaints about excessive noise and breach of conditions on the premises licence.
• The review sought to amend the hours for licensable activity and amend the current licence conditions. 
• 12 representations had been received, with two in support of the review and 10 opposing it.
• Environmental Health did not submit a representation but had provided a list of complaints.
• The premises was not in a Cumulative Impact Policy Area.

Responding to a question of clarification, the Licensing Officer stated that the Police Responsible Authority had been consulted with regard to the review but had not submitted a representation.

Haverstock Action Group, the applicant for the review, were represented by Amanda Zeiler, Richard Goldblatt, Esther Klagg and Samual Teshuva.

Amada Zeiler outlined the application for review by providing the following information:

• Haverstock Action Group did not seek revocation of the licence and acknowledged the pub was important to the community.
• Residents had coexisted peacefully with the pub until new ownership and management took over in April 2023, after which complaints began.

• Significant noise disturbances had been reported, including large gatherings outside the premises on the pavement, extremely loud music playing from the premises, amplified and live music in the garden outside permitted hours, and excessive noise from bottle and canister disposal at unreasonable hours,
• The Environmental Health Service had been frequently called to assess disturbances, with complaints documented.
• Residents and the Camden Licensing Team had made multiple attempts to engage with the licensee, but the responses were either discourteous or ignored.
• The group viewed the review as a last resort, as other avenues of resolution had been exhausted.
• The current licence was outdated and in need of updating to reflect its operation as a live music and drinking venue.
• Compliance with existing conditions should be ensured.

The Haverstock Action Group requested that the following conditions be applied to the Licence:

• A designated security person to be present outside from 21:00hrs until 30 minutes after closing.
• Live music should be limited to 22:00hrs and recorded music to 22:30hrs.
• Clear signage should be displayed inside and outside the premises reminding patrons to be quiet and respect the residential area.

The Haverstock Action Group provided the following information in response to questions:

• It was noted that the licence condition stated that bottles should be disposed of at "reasonable hours.” It was suggested that specifying exact times could provide clarity.
• A dispersal policy could be useful, but it was questioned whether the licence holder would comply, given the lack of previous engagement from the premises.
• Residents had made attempts in 2023 to address noise concerns directly with the licence holder, requesting that doors remain closed during live music events. Initially, they had agreed but then  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.