Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Linden declared an interest in Agenda Item 2(1), but reported that, as his interest was personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

NOTICE OF DECISION

The Licensing Sub-Committee of West Berkshire Council met on 11^th March 2015 and considered Application 15/00157/LQN made by Thames Valley Police for a review of Premises Licence number 017703 issued in respect of premises known as Crown Mead Stores, 12 Crown Mead, Bath Road, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 3JW and resolved to revoke the Premises Licence.

In coming to their decision, the Sub-Committee had regard to the four licensing objectives, which are:

1.            the prevention of crime and disorder;

2.            public safety;

3.            the prevention of public nuisance; and

4.            the protection of children from harm.

They also considered the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Guidance on the Licensing Act 2003 (issued June 2014) and West Berkshire Council’s Licensing Policy.

The Sub-Committee heard representations made by:

1.            The Applicant:                     Mr. Stephen Deane and Inspector Warren McKeown

(Thames Valley Police)

2.            The Licence Holder:          Mr. Harjit Singh Sandhu assisted by Mrs. Navdeep  

Kaur

The Sub-Committee also had regard to written documentation which was submitted by Mrs. Navdeep Kaur Sandhu in relation to the Premises Licence and the business Crown Mead Stores.  These documents included a signed consent to transfer premises licence 017703 from Harjit Singh Sandhu to Navdeep Kaur Sandhu dated 6^th March 2015, certificates relating to training, documentation relating to suppliers, the ownership of the business and letters from employees and the new Designated Premises Supervisor George Kristiaan in relation to the management of the business. These documents were considered by the Sub-Committee with the consent of the parties to the hearing.

Decision:

Having taken all relevant representations into account, the Licensing Sub-Committee RESOLVED that further to the Application reference 15/00157/LQN the Premises Licence be revoked.

Reasons:

The Sub-Committee had regard to the representations received in reaching its decision and noted that the Application made by Thames Valley Police for the review of the Premises Licence was supported by Thatcham Town Council and Responsible Authority Public Health and Wellbeing and the Local Safeguarding Children Board. 

The Sub-Committee heard evidence from Thames Valley Police that the Licence Holder Mr. Harjit Singh Sandhu had recently been convicted by Reading Crown Court for the offences of perverting the course of justice and handling stolen goods.  These offences occurred at the licensed premises. The Sub-Committee also heard evidence from Thames Valley Police as to Mr.Harjit Singh Sandhu’s lack of engagement following his conviction and his flagrant and persistent disregard for the licensing objective namely the prevention of crime and disorder.  The Sub-Committee heard that Mr. Deane had hand delivered a letter to Mr. Sandhu dated 27^th November 2014 which Mrs. Sandhu opened.  The letter warned that Thames Valley Police would apply for a review of the Premises Licence if they did not hear from him within two weeks from the date of the letter. Despite the efforts made by Thames Valley Police they failed to resolve the situation which led to their review application dated 26^th January 2015. 

Mr. Harjit Singh Sandhu had been the Designated  ...  view the full decision text for item 4.

(Councillor Linden declared a personal interest in Agenda item 2(1) by virtue of the fact that he had visited the store, on behalf of REL Field Marketing and Vodafone, to deliver promotional material and carry out audit checks on the material. As his interest was personal and not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he  was permitted to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

The Sub-Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 2(1)) concerning Licensing Review Application No. 15/00157/LQN in respect of Crown Mead Stores, 12 Crownmead, Bath Rd, Thatcham RG18 3JW.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Amanda Ward (Licensing Officer, West Berkshire Council) and Mr Steve Deane and Inspector Warren McKeown of Thames Valley Police (Applicant), and Mr Harjit Sandhu (Licence Holder) and Mrs Navdeep Sandhu addressed the Sub-Committee on this application.

Ms Ward, in addressing the Sub-Committee, raised the following points:

·         On 26^th January 2015, West Berkshire Council received an application from Thames Valley Police Licensing Officer, Mr Steve Dean, for a review of the Premise Licence for Crown Mead Stores, under Section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003.

·         The application to review the licence related to the Prevention of Crime and Disorder licensing objective and stated that Mr Harjit Singh Sandhu, the Premises Licence holder, was not fit and proper to hold a position of such responsibility and details of the grounds for the review would be explained in full by the applicant, Mr Steve Deane.

·         The consultation period had started on 27^th January 2015 and concluded on 23^rd February 2015.

·         Blue notices had been displayed, during the prescribed consultation period, and witnessed by an officer from the Licensing team. 

·         During this prescribed 28 day consultation period, the Licensing team had received two further representations, in support of the application to review the Premises Licence, from:

§  Ian Wootton, Responsible Authority for Public Health and Wellbeing and the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board

§  Elaine Hare, on behalf of Thatcham Town Council

·         Neither Ian Wootton, nor a representative from Thatcham Town Council, had wished to make any further comments to the application, other than to register that they supported Thames Valley Police’s application to review this licence.

·         Further to the receipt of this Review application, Mrs Sandhu had contacted the Licensing team and spoken with Emilia Matheou, Licensing Officer, to seek advice on how to transfer the licence.

·         On 9^th March 2015, the Licensing team had received an Application to Vary the Designated Premises Supervisor from Mr Harjit Sandhu to Mr George Kristiaan, with immediate effect. The Licensing team had not, at that point, received any objection to that application from Thames Valley Police.

·         The Licensing Team had not received any application to transfer the Premises Licence.

Mr Steve Deane, in addressing the Sub-Committee, read the report in the application and raised the following points:

·           It was the view of Thames Valley Police that the Premises Licence Holder and Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), Mr Harjit Singh Sandhu was not fit and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.