Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Broughton and Councillor Russell.

Members are asked to disclose any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

Councillor Chivers declared a personal interest in agenda item 4 and left the meeting whilst this item was debated and voted on.

                                                                                                            (Enclosure)

The minutes of the meeting held on 5th October 2012 were agreed as a correct record of the decisions taken.

(10.05am Councillor Chivers left the meeting)

Report CSL025 by the Community Safety and Licensing Service Manager.

(Enclosure)

Decision:

That the Premises licence for the premises known as Gravity, 8 Market Place, Grantham be modified to include the conditions outlined by Lincolnshire Police in their review documentation subject to the last condition to be modified to three test purchases over a 12 month period, the exact wording to be drafted by the Licensing Officers and signed off by the Chairman of the Licensing Committee.

The Solicitor to the Committee introduced those present and confirmed who was to speak in connection with the application for the review.   Sergeant John Mellor, County Licensing Sergeant, Lincolnshire Police, James Cleary, Counsel, representing the Licensing Holder, Jonathan Askham, the owner of Gravity, Kayleigh Newton, an employee of Mr Askham and the DPS, Stewart Wild solicitor of Bird & Co,  and Hannah Wheeldon a pupil barrister.

The Licensing Officer then presented report CSL025 which concerned an application for a review of the premises licence for Gravity, 8 Market Place, Grantham.  Lincolnshire Police had submitted the review on the grounds that the licensing objectives for the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of children from harm were in their view being undermined.  The Police had evidence which indicated that the premises had recently failed two test purchases within a seven week period.  The test purchases had been carried out by Lincolnshire Police jointly with Lincolnshire Trading Standards.  A volunteer 16 year old had been sold alcohol by bar staff on the 3rd August at the venue.  The DPS had been present behind the bar at the time of the sale and the bar staff had been issued with a fixed penalty notice for selling alcohol to persons under the age of 18. Two other venues within Grantham also sold to volunteers during the operation and the DPS’s were sent letters informing them of the sales.  

The Police met with the DPS of Gravity and she stated that they would implement measures to prevent further occurrences. The Police also met with door staff of the premises and all parties were clearly informed that further test purchase operations would take place in Grantham.

On 14th September further test purchases were carried out with all premises that had failed a test purchase on 3rd August.  A member of staff at Gravity again sold alcohol to one of the under-aged volunteers and was issued with a fixed penalty notice; again the DPS was behind the bar at the time of the sale.  None of the other premises sold to volunteers that evening. 

This was the first time that the premises had been before the Committee for a review. Trading Standards had also submitted a representation in support of the review which was appended to the report.

Sergeant Mellor from Lincolnshire Police then made his presentation.  He referred to the two test purchases that had taken place.  The operation had been organised jointly with Trading Standards following information received that sales of alcohol to underage children were taking place at the premises. Following the first instance of underage selling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

The meeting closed at 11.35am.