Agenda and minutes

Councillor Bond as Chair welcomed all those present and explained the order of the meeting.

Members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary, other pecuniary or non pecuniary interests relating to items on the agenda.

NOTED that there were no declarations of interest in respect of items on the agenda.

Application to review a premises licence.

RECEIVED the application made by the Licensing Authority for a review of the Premises Licence held by Mr Ali Serbet at the premises known as and situated at Euro Express, 212-214 Chase Side, Enfield, EN2 0QX.

NOTED

1.    The introductory statement of Ellie Green, Principal Licensing Officer, including:

a.  This was an application to review a premises licence, brought by the Licensing Authority.

b.  This premises licence had been in force since 2005. Mr Ali Serbet had been the premises licence holder (PLH) since August 2015 following a transfer application.

c.  The business was licensed as a 24 hour operation, with sale of alcohol permitted from 08:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday and 10:00 to 22:30 Sunday.

d.  On 18/3/16 the Licensing Authority made the application for review of the licence. The authority was seeking revocation of the licence based on the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective.

e.  A history of the premises was set out in Annex 3, which included details in respect of non duty paid products, selling after hours, breaches of conditions, and trading without an accurate plan.

f.  Mr Serbet was notified of the review on 18/3/16: a copy of the notification letter was sent to his home address and a copy was hand delivered to the shop.

g.  On 11/4/16 the agent was provided with a copy of the Licensing Authority information and the Police representation, and was notified of the hearing date. On 18/4/16 a copy of the hearing agenda was provided.

h.  Since 19/4/16, officers had been dealing with a solicitor and a barrister acting on behalf of the PLH. Today, Mr Serbet was being represented by a third solicitor: Ms Victoria Ibe. It was understood that she would like to make an application for an adjournment of the hearing.

2.    The statement of Ms Victoria Ibe of Adel Jibs & Co Solicitors, representing the PLH, including:

a.  She was instructed by Mr Serbet, the PLH.

b.  She was instructed yesterday and felt it would be in the interest of just and fair play to have time to look at all the paperwork and points raised by officers. She appealed for more time to get to know the case and to speak to her client and to advise him what was in his best interest in respect of the allegations.

c.  In response to queries raised by the Chair that as the third representative instructed by the applicant and the possibility this was a delaying tactic, Ms Ibe acknowledged the concern but stressed that she needed to receive full instructions and give advice accordingly.

d.  In response to concerns raised by Councillor Levy that a delay could lead to more breaches of conditions happening and whether the possibility of surrendering the licence had been considered, it was confirmed that her client had been asked to give consideration to surrendering the licence, but it was not believed that was in his best interest. She acknowledged the need to protect public interest,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 553.

To receive and agree the minutes of the meetings held on:

Wednesday 16 March 2016

and

Wednesday 6 April 2016.

RECEIVED the minutes of the meetings held on Wednesday 16 March 2016 and Wednesday 6 April 2016.

AGREED that the minutes of the meetings held on Wednesday 16 March 2016 and Wednesday 6 April 2016 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.