Agenda and minutes

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 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).

No public questions were submitted.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of the application, as appendices to the report contain information ‘not for publication’ in accordance with Section 14(2) of The Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, and where the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs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 the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of agenda item 4 ‘Application for the review of the premises licence under section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003 (premises associated with serious crime or disorder) at Cafe SQ, 59 St Petersgate’ to prevent the disclosure of information relating to an individual in accordance with Section 14(2) of The Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005. It would not, on balance, be in the public interest to disclose this information.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The Sub-Committee is recommended to consider the application from Greater Manchester Police for interim steps to be taken in relation to the premises licence at Café SQ, 59 St Petersgate, Stockport, SK1 1DH.

Officer contact: Ian O'Donnell on 0161 474 4175 or email: 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, and requesting that the Sub-Committee take interim steps to suspend the premises licence pending a full review.

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. The premises licence holder was not present at the meeting. An attempt had been made to contact the premises licence holder via known e-mail addresses but no acknowledgement had been received.

The Sub-Committee, having heard the application proceeded to consider the prevention of crime and disorder and protection of children from harm licensing objective in respect of the review, together with the relevant parts of the council’s Licensing Policy and guidance from the Home Office. However, the decision was reached on consideration of all arguments 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 take interim steps pending the final determination of the review.

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 suspend the premises license both for the supply of alcohol on the premises and the provision of late-night refreshment, pending the final determination of the review.