Agenda and minutes

Application for the Summary Review of the Premise Licence

APPLICATION FOR THE SUMMARY REVIEW OF THE PREMISES LICENCE

DECISION NOTICE OF LICENSING ACT SUB-COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY 12^TH APRIL 2017

The Sub-Committee comprised of Councillor Claire Cozler (Chairman), Councillor Alan Biddulph and Councillor Mel Guilding.

The Legal Adviser was Luke Gorst, Solicitor.

The Democratic Support Officer was Jane Glenton, Democratic Services.

Lancashire Constabulary had submitted an application under section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003 for a summary review of the premises licence for the Bradford Arms, 40 Queen Street, Morecambe.

During the prescribed consultation period no further representations were received.

PC Andrew Taylor represented the police and was accompanied by Heather Crawshaw.

The Premises Licence Holder, Bravo Inns, was represented by Ken Buckley, Managing Director, and Mark Dean.

The Licensing Officer, David Eglin, then introduced the report stating that the premises licence was currently suspended as the licensing authority had considered it necessary to take that interim step pending the review.

PC Taylor then presented the applicant’s case stating that, following discussions during the review period with the premises licence holder, they had reached a set of agreed conditions that would satisfy the police’s concerns and would, in their opinion, be appropriate as a means of upholding the licensing objectives.

Mr Buckley then confirmed the premises licence holder’s agreement to the conditions.

The Sub-Committee then withdrew to make its decision, and sought advice from its legal adviser as to the appropriate phraseology of the decision.

DECISION

The application relates to a summary review of the premises licence for the Bradford Arms in Morecambe. It is not in dispute that the premises had been used for serious criminal activity, namely the supply of Class A drugs.

However, the Sub-Committee notes that the current premises licence holder only took over the licence in February 2017 and accepts the company were unaware of the offences which took place before the transfer to them and that they have no connection to any wrongdoing.

Given the fact that the current premises licence holder has only held the licence for a relatively short time, and the criminal activity appears to have been taking place before they took over the licence, the Sub-Committee are satisfied that the conditions now agreed between the parties, and attached to this decision notice, are appropriate as a means of upholding the licence objectives moving forward with this premises.

The Sub-Committee welcomes the co-operation with the police shown by the premises licence holder as part of these proceedings and looks forward to the positive changes they intend to make.

The conditions on the premises licence will therefore be amended as attached to this decision notice.

This decision does not have effect until the end of the period for appealing this decision, or if appealed, when the appeal is disposed of. For the avoidance of doubt the suspension of the license (as an interim step) shall cease when this decision takes effect.

In accordance with Section 181 and Schedule 5 of the Licensing Act 2003, the parties have a right  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.