Agenda and minutes

None were declared.

Report of Specialist Advisor – Licensing.

The Chairman introduced members and officers present and detailed the procedure to be followed at the meeting.

The Specialist Advisor - Licensing outlined the report detailing the application for a review of the premises licence for Coda, 125 Langney Road that had been made by Sussex Police on the 14 June 2016 under the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety licensing objectives.  A copy of the application for review was attached at Appendix B.

The premises were situated within Eastbourne Borough Council’s Cumulative Impact Policy and operated as a public house and recorded music venue.

No representations had been received by interested parties or other responsible authorities.

Additional evidence documentation had been submitted by Sussex Police and the Solicitor acting on behalf of Ms Thresher, Premises Licence Holder (PLH) following publication of the agenda pack and these had been circulated to all parties for consideration.

Mr Savill, Barrister representing Sussex Police addressed the Sub-Committee.  Mr Savill made reference to the detailed application for review submitted by Sussex Police that outlined the volume of incidents recorded at the premises and gave a chronological account of the attempts made by Sussex Police to intervene in the running of the premises before submitting an application for review.  Mr Savill also made reference to the evidence bundle submitted by Sussex Police that contained extensive Police statements and information concerning incidents emanating from the premises between 2009 and 2016.

Sussex Police contended that the licensing objectives relating to the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety had been undermined.  They invited the Sub-Committee to consider adding conditions to the premises licence, detailed in their application in addition to the removal of the current Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), reduction in time the premises was open to the public and hours for the sale of alcohol, recorded music and late night refreshment.  It was also suggested that the premises licence be suspended for a period of 6 weeks in order to implement the changes.

Mr Savill concluded that there were long standing and persistent problems arising from the premises, including a significant number of assaults, excessive drunkenness, operating beyond permitted hours and two Police licensing visits within recent months involving drug swabs from inside the premises that showed high levels of Class A drugs. Sussex Police contended that there had been a failure on the part of the premises licence holder to engage with Police over a long period of time to address concerns.

The Sub-Committee asked whether it was a legal requirement of a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) to inform Sussex Police over a change of management.  Ms Irving, Head of Licensing for Sussex Police responded that it wasn’t however represented good housekeeping.  Mr Aylott, Solicitor representing Mrs Thresher made reference to the statement submitted by Mrs Thresher that detailed attempts made to contact Sussex Police.  Sergeant Vokins responded that any contact between Mrs Thresher and Sussex Police was recorded and contained within the review application.

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