Councillor Levy 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.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the press and public from the meeting for any items of business moved to part 2 of the agenda on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

AGREED in accordance with Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for consideration of item 4 of the agenda on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 7 (information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

Application to transfer a premises licence.

RECEIVED the application made by Mr Behrouz Alidoost for a Transfer of the Premises Licence at the premises known as and situated at Med Off Licence, 87 Silver Street, London, N18 1RP.

RESOLVED that

1.         In accordance with the principles of Section 100(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for this item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

The Panel retired, with the legal representative and committee administrator, to consider the application further and then the meeting reconvened in public.

2.         The Chairman made the following statement:

“Having considered the written and oral submissions from all parties, the Licensing Sub-Committee (LSC) was fully persuaded by the arguments presented by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) that the transfer application should be rejected.

The evidence base, reinforced under a direct line of questioning, made it clear that regardless of additional and wider information which emerged through MPS research whilst preparing its objection (andwhich raised further doubts over the applicant’s willingness to differentiate between and understand basic rights and wrongs), the MPS would still have objected to this transfer application on the licensing grounds cited alone, given that Mr Alidoost had failed to sufficiently demonstrate his ability to promote the licensing objectives during his eight months involvement with the premises to date.

The LSC applied weight to the special factors contained within theLondon Borough of Enfield Licensing Policy, specifically 10.1 and 12.1.9, which were pertinent to this case.

In particular, the panel was concerned as to Mr Alidoost’s failure in the past, which he could not answer to the satisfaction of panel members from the various questions they posed - as well as his capacity in the future - to deliver upon and meet the condition requiring there to be two qualified staff present at all times i.e. 18 hours of the premises being open to the public, thereby undermining the core principles of prevention as enshrined in the licensing objectives.

The LSC considered, after extensive questioning on this point, that Mr Alidoost had not been able to demonstrate or in any other way seemed to have acquired the full and necessary training appropriate for holding a premises licence.

In this regard, the variable presence of the current Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) to help him operate a licence effectively, responsibly and appropriately – which information was established by further questions asked of Mr Alidoost himself – lent additional weight to this assertion by the sub-committee members.

The LSC took note of and acknowledged that Mr Alidoost was trying his best to listen and learn about the rules and requirements of licensing matters from all quarters; and he said he was similarly trying to take heed of the advice provided by the Licensing Authority during their several visits.

However, the overall evidence base, including that arising from inspections as recently as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 536.

To receive and agree the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 7 March 2018.

Received the minutes of the meeting of Licensing Sub-Committee held on Wednesday 7 March 2018.

AGREED that the minutes of Licensing Sub-Committee held on Wednesday 7 March 2018 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.