Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meetings held on 15 January 2024 and 2 February 2024.

The minutes of the meetings held on 15 January 2024 and 2 February 2024 were approved as correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers are invited to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting. No declarations of interest were made.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and members of the sub committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the sub committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the code of practice. (Questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting).

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters in the powers or duties of the Sub-Committee, subject to the exclusions set out within the Code of Practice.

No public questions were submitted.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of the application, as the report and appendices to the report contain information ‘not for publication’ in accordance with Section 14(2) of The Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, and where the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED – That, notwithstanding the submission of information as part of agenda item 5 Application for a summary review of the premises licence at Café SQ, 59 St Petersgate, SK1 1DH, which had been classified as ‘not for publication’ by virtue of it containing material which related to an individual, the Sub Committee was satisfied that in the circumstances it was not necessary for the public to be excluded from the meeting.

A representative of the Assistant Director – Legal & Democratic Governance reported that Greater Manchester Police had advised that they would be unable to attend this meeting of the Sub-Committee for operational reasons, and had requested that the Sub-Committee give consideration to an adjournment of proceedings.

At 6.01 pm it was

RESOLVED – That the meeting be adjourned.

The meeting reconvened at 6.00 pm on 28 February 2024.

PRESENT

Councillor Dickie Davies (Chair); Councillors Dean Fitzpatrick and Will Dawson.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The Sub Committee is requested to consider the application for a summary review of the Premises Licence at Café SQ, 59 St Petersgate, Stockport, SK1 1DH.

Officer contact: Ian O'Donnell 0161 474 4175 | Ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management reported upon the receipt of an application submitted on behalf of the Chief Officer of Greater Manchester Police (copies of which had been circulated) for a summary review of the Premises Licence at Café SQ 59 St Petersgate Stockport SK1 1DH in accordance with Section 53(A) of the Licensing Act 2003.

In accordance with Section 53(A) of the Licensing Act 2003 the Licensing Authority had been requested by Greater Manchester Police to undertake a summary review of the premises licence at Café SQ 59 St Petersgate Stockport SK1 1DH in light of allegations that the premises had been associated with serious crime.

A representative of Greater Manchester Police attended the meeting and answered Councillors’ questions in relation to the summary review.

A representative of the Premises License Holder also attended the meeting and answered Councillors’ questions in relation to the summary review.

The Sub-Committee, having heard the application proceeded to consider the review in light of the licensing objectives, particularly the prevention of crime and disorder and protection of children from harm licensing with the relevant parts of the council’s Licensing Policy and guidance from the Home Office. The decision was reached on consideration of all arguments and submissions given in relation to this specific application.

It was then

RESOLVED - Having heard an application for a review of the premises licence at Café SQ, 59 St Petersgate, Stockport, SK1 1DH made on behalf of the Chief Officer of Greater Manchester Police, the Sub-Committee was satisfied that both the premises and license holder have been reported to have been involved in serious crime.

The Sub-Committee considers that the serious nature of the alleged incidents coupled with concerns in relation to the significant failures in the effective management of the premises means that it is necessary for the Sub-Committee to revoke the premises license.

The Sub-Committee is of the view that in order to satisfactorily promote the four licensing objectives, and in particular for the protection of children from harm and the prevention of crime and disorder, it was appropriate and necessary to revoke the premises license both for the supply of alcohol on the premises and the provision of late-night refreshment.