Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Steve Cunnington, Councillor Jane Kingman and Councillor Nikki Manterfield.

None disclosed.

Minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2024 were proposed, seconded and AGREED.

Committee to determine an application for a new premises licence, report ENV893 from the Licensing Officer.

The Legal Advisor informed the Committee that a request had been received the previous afternoon from solicitors that had only just been appointed by the applicant for the Premises Licence requesting that the hearing was postponed to be heard within the next two weeks.  The Legal Advisor stated that the hearing could be deferred and referred to the legislation within the Human Rights Act which stated that the applicant had a right to be heard.  It was for the Committee to decide whether or not they wished to defer the meeting following the request received.

One Member asked when the applicant for the premise licence had been notified of the date of the meeting.  It was stated that the applicant’s previous agent had been notified on 15 November 2024.  However, they had notified the Licensing Team on 2 December 2024 that they were no longer acting on behalf of the premise licence applicant and they had advised him to withdraw his application.   The applicant for the premise licence had been contacted on 2 December and he had indicated that he was not sure whether or not he would be attending.  Nothing further had been heard until the newly appointed solicitors had contacted the Licensing Team late on Thursday 5 December 2024 requesting more time.

Further questions were asked in relation to deferring the hearing, with some Members stating that they felt that enough notice had been given to the applicant to attend the meeting and when a new meeting would be required to be held.   It was stated that the request was to hold a meeting within the next two weeks.

It was proposed and seconded that the meeting be deferred, however on being put to the vote this proposition fell.

Further discussion took place in respect of legislation and the applicants rights under the Human Rights Act.  The Legal Advisor read out extracts from the Human Rights Act under Article 6 to the committee in respect of their rights and that everyone was entitled to a fair and public hearing.  More discussion followed on holding the hearing and it was stated that if the meeting went ahead, any decision would be appealable to the Magistrates Court.

Following further discussion by the Committee it was proposed, seconded and AGREED to continue with the hearing in the absence of the applicant for the premise licence.

The Legal Advisor introduced those present and confirmed who was present from Lincolnshire Police, Sergeant Adams and PC Braithwaite.

The Licensing Officer presented the report which concerned a new premise licence for the premise at 10 Wharf Road, Grantham to be known as Ramin Off Licence. 

The premise had previously benefitted from an alcohol licence under the name “Max Off Licence” from 11/04/2019 to 30/05/2024.  The licence was revoked by the Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing Committee at the meeting on 16 June 2023 following a review submitted by the Police.  The review included evidence of several instances of underage sales and non-compliance of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

None.

The meeting closed at 10:55.