Agenda and minutes

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 19 April 2023 and 26 April 2023 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes for the Sub- Committee meetings on 19 April 2023 and 26 April 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that at a predetermined point during the consideration of all items the Sub-Committee would move into private session in order to receive legal advice when determining issues.  The parties to the hearing, press and public, unless otherwise excluded by the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules would be invited to return immediately following that private session at which time the matter would be determined and the decision of the Sub-Committee would be announced.

The Sub-Committee has considered very carefully the application for the variation of the sexual entertainment venue licence in For Your Eyes Only, 135-136 High Street, Southampton, SO14 2BR.

The Sub-Committee has given due regard to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, statutory guidance, its own policy where relevant, the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, the Public Sector Equality Duty under section 149, Equality Act 2010, and Human Rights legislation.

The Sub-Committee considered representations both written and given orally at the meeting today.

The Manager and licence holder for the premises were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting. 

The Sub-Committee noted that no objection had been received and that Hampshire Constabulary Licensing Team were satisfied with the application. 

The application for variation of the Sexual Entertainment Venue Licence requested to change the current licence as follows:

·  to extend the permitted hours from currently 0430 hours (0500 hours incorrectly stated on the application) to 0600 hours.

·  and for last admission to 0500 hours. (Not currently stated on the licence)

RESOLVED: That the application for the variation of the Sexual Entertainment Venue licence be approved with all other conditions remaining unchanged including the hours of opening.

This means that the licence allows the premises to operate as a Sexual Entertainment Venue between the hours of 10-00 a.m. to 06-00 a.m with the hour for last admission set at 05:00

Reasons

Paragraph 18 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 provides that the holder of a sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licence may at any time apply for any variation of the terms, conditions, or restrictions on or subject to which the licence is held.

The Hampshire Constabulary Licensing Team have advised that they have no objection to the application.

The Sub-Committee noted that no objections have been raised. The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that the Licensing Team was content with the application.

The sub-committee noted the excellent working relationship between Licensing officers, the applicant, and police, and were impressed with the procedures and practices in place. The sub-committee is satisfied that the premises are well run and compliant with all conditions.

There was no compelling evidence presented to the Sub-Committee that would justify refusal of the application or any reason for amendments to the variations applied for.

The Sub-Committee did express some concern over the arrangements for door supervisors which seemed a little ad hoc. The Sub-Committee therefore wished to remind the applicant of the condition on the Licensing Act premises licence relating to the number of door supervisors required.

There is a right of appeal full details of which will be provided in the written decision.