Agenda and minutes

The Sub-committee to appoint a Chair for this meeting

 Resolved that Councillor W Samuel be appointed Chair for this meeting.

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or nonregisterable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest. You are also invited to disclose any dispensations in relation to any registerable and/or nonregisterable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

You are also requested to complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

 There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

To consider an application for the review of a Premises Licence

The Sub-committee met to consider an application for a review of the Premises Licence in respect of Prudhoe Off-Licence, 4-5 Prudhoe Street, North Shields, NE29 6QZ.

The Applicant, the Local Weights and Measures Authority, had invited the Sub-committee to revoke the Premises Licence in respect of Prudhoe Off-Licence, 4-5 Prudhoe Street, North Shields. The application had also been supported by the Chief Officer of Police, the Director of Public Health and the Local Safeguarding Children Board who had all requested that the Premises Licence be revoked.

Following introductions, the Chair set out the procedure which would be followed during the course of the hearing. Mr G Callum, Licensing Officer, presented details of the application, the representations received and the options available to the Sub-committee.

Mr A Burnett, the Local Weights and Measures Inspector, was in attendance and he was accompanied by Mr D Hedley, Trading Standards Officer. Mr N Kirkpatrick, representing the Chief Officer of Police, and Mrs W Burke, the Director of Public Health were also in attendance.

Mr G Nabi the Premises Licence holder and designated premises supervisor was in attendance and he was accompanied by his son, Mr K Nabi, co-manager of the Premises.

Mr Burnett addressed the Sub-committee in relation to his concerns about the operation of the premises and the failure to uphold the licensing objectives in relation to the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of children from harm.

Members of the Sub-committee asked several questions which were responded to by Mr Burnett.

Mr Kirkpatrick addressed the Sub-committee in relation to his concerns about the operation of the premises. He referred to the sale of alcohol to a child and the persistent storage and sale of illegal tobacco at the Premises.

Members of the Sub-committee asked several questions which were responded to by Mr Kirkpatrick.

Mrs Burke addressed the Sub-committee in relation to her concerns about the operation and management of the Premises particularly in relation to the protection of children from harm and the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objectives. She explained that she was also representing the Local Safeguarding Children Board at the hearing.

There were no questions of Mrs Burke from either the Sub-committee or Mr Nabi.

Mr Nabi addressed the Sub-committee in response to the points raised by Mr Burnett, Mr Kirkpatrick and Mrs Burke. He explained that there had only been one sale of alcohol to a minor in 35 years and the tobacco, which had been on the Premises on the last occasion referred to, was for his own personal use.

Members of the Sub-committee asked several questions which were responded to by Mr Nabi.

All parties were given the opportunity of summing up their submission.

The Sub-committee withdrew from the meeting to make its decision in private.

The Sub-committee returned and the Chair announced its decision.

Resolved that (1) the Premises Licence in respect of Prudhoe Off-Licence, 4-5 Prudhoe Street, North Shields be suspended for a period of 3 months; and

(2) The following  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.