Agenda item

Application for a premises licence for Apex Conference and Social Centre UK Ltd, 1^st Floor, Morland House, 12-16 Eastern Road, Romford, RM1 3PJ

Following a request received from the representative for Apex Conference and Social Centre UK Ltd, the sub committee agreed to postpone the hearing arranged for 14 October 2011.  Members decided to adjourn the hearing to Thursday, 3 November 2011.

 

Dr Suhail Chughtai the applicant was in attendance with Paul Campbell (Havering Licensing Officer), the Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee and the clerk to the Licensing sub-committee.

 

The Chairman advised Members and the public of action to be taken in the event of emergency evacuation of the Town Hall becoming necessary.

 

No interest was declared.

 

PREMISES

Apex Conference and Social Centre UK Limited,

1^st Floor,

Morland Road,

12-16 Eastern Road,

Romford,

RM1 3PJ

 

 

DETAILS OF APPLICATION

 

Application for a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 (“the Act”).

 

APPLICANT

Apex Conference and Social Centre UK Limited,

1^st Floor,

Morland Road,

12-16 Eastern Road,

Romford,

RM1 3PJ

 

 

1.         Details of the application

 

 

Live Music, Recorded Music, Facilities for making music and similar to making music, Late Night Refreshment
Day	Start	Finish
Monday to Friday	17:00hrs	23:59hrs
Saturday & Sunday	09:00hrs	23:59hrs

 

Late Night Refreshment
Day	Start	Finish
Monday to Sunday	23:00hrs	23:59hrs

 

 

2.         Promotion of the Licensing Objectives

 

The applicant completed the operating schedule, which formed part of the application to promote the four licensing objectives.

 

The applicant acted in accordance with regulations 25 and 26 of The Licensing Act 2003 (Premises Licences and Club Certificates) Regulations 2005 relating to the advertising of the application. The required public notice was installed in the 2 September 2011 edition of the Romford Recorder.

 

 

3.         Details of Representations

 

Valid representations may only address the four licensing objectives

 

There were two valid representations against this application which were from Councillor Andrew Curtin and Kenneth Elliott + Rowe, Solicitors in respect of the prevention of public nuisance..

 

Responsible Authorities

 

Chief Officer of Metropolitan Police (“the Police”):None

 

London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority (“LFEPA”): None.

 

Health & Safety Enforcing Authority: None.

 

Planning Control & Enforcement: None.

 

Public Health: None

 

Children & Families Service: None

 

Trading Standards Service: None

 

The Magistrates Court: None

 

 

4.         Determination of Application

 

Decision

 

Consequent upon the hearing held on 3 November 2011, the Sub-Committee’s decision regarding the application for a Premises Licence for Apex Conference and Social Centre was as set out below, for the reasons shown:

 

The Sub-Committee was obliged to determine this application with a view to promoting the licensing objectives, which are:

·                     The prevention of crime and disorder

·                     Public safety

·                     The prevention of public nuisance

·                     The protection of children from harm

 

In making its decision, the Sub-Committee also had regard to the Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and Havering’s Licensing Policy.

 

In addition, the Sub-Committee took account of its obligations under s17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and Articles 1 and 8 of the First Protocol of the Human Rights Act 1998.

 

Agreed Facts
Facts/Issues
	Whether the granting of the premises licence would undermine the four licensing objectives.
	Councillor Curtin objected on the grounds that the area in which the premises were was largely made up of solicitors and other professional businesses, which require a degree of quiet and calm within which to conduct their work. If the application was approved it would result in increased levels of noise from entertainment and events within the premises, which would inevitably result in a significant increase in noise and disturbance for surrounding businesses, which would greatly hinder their ability to successfully work in the town, thus constituting a public nuisance.   The second objection from Kenneth Elliott + Rowe felt that as Morland House was away from the main leisure and social activities of the Town Centre the Police would need to divert part of their resources to police this area.   The possibility of excessive noise particularly from the playing of recorded music, including backing tracks for Karaoke or other vocal performances would give rise to public nuisance and would be an inappropriate activity for a predominantly office and administrative environment.   Whilst the Licence will not contain the right to sell alcohol it does not prevent its consumption on the premises, if provided by the occupier’s for the type of activities set out in the application. If that happened on a large scale then further nuisance could occur and public safety may be prejudiced.
	Applicants response   The applicant Dr Suhail Chughati explained that the application was in connection with his company’s role in promoting education and training.  The events would be open to invited professionals and would not be open to the general public.  None of the residents of Morland House had submitted any objections to the application. His own company Medico-legal Professionals Ltd occupied part of the building and it was not in his best interests to promote events which caused a public nuisance.   No music would be permitted until after 6.00pm on business days, including incidental music on training slides. In the evening and weekends it would be light background music only to a social or networking event.   The maximum number of attendees would be 80 and car parking for a maximum of 15.

 

Having considered the written representations and oral responses, the Sub-Committee decided to grant the application.

 

The Sub-Committee stated that in arriving at this decision, it took into consideration the licensing objectives as contained in the Licensing Act 2003, the Licensing Guidelines as well as Havering Council’s Licensing Policy.