Agenda and minutes

The Licensing Panel considered the appointment of a Chairman for the meeting.

Resolved:

That Councillor Hutton be appointed Chairman for the meeting.

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:-

(1) the type of interest concerned

(2) the nature of the interest concerned; and

(3) whether they have or have not sat on a Planning Committee which has previously considered a planning application in respect of a licensed premises which is also subject to consideration for a premises licence as part of the agenda for this meeting.

If any Member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

(Members are asked to also pay particular attention to the guidance sheet on interests supplied with the agenda).

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

The Chairman explained the procedure for the meeting including that an equal time limit of twenty minutes had been allocated for all parties.

a. APPLICATION AND REPRESENTATIONS SUBMITTED. To consider the attached report

b. DETERMINATION OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE REVIEW OF A PREMISES LICENCE- CORNHILL HOTEL

c. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION FOR THE REVIEW OF A PREMISES LICENCE- CORNHILL HOTEL

The Licensing Panel considered an application for the review of the Premises Licence in respect of the Cornhill Hotel, 377-379 Promenade. The application for the review of the Premises Licence had been submitted by Health and Safety and supporting representations had been submitted by the Licensing Authority and Lancashire Constabulary.

Mr Marcus Maddock, Public Protection Officer, was in attendance and made representations on behalf of Health and Safety. Mr Maddock highlighted the significant concerns of that responsible authority particularly as regards failure to address the concerns of the fire service or to engage meaningfully with enforcement authorities. Mr Maddock explained that the premises had first become known to Health and Safety due the receipt of a number of complaints in February 2018 and then again in May 2018. Mr Maddock along with colleagues from other responsible authorities had visited the premises and noted a large number of concerns including some that could have represented serious risks to public safety. At this point Mr Maddock had accepted the Licence Holder’s statement that the hotel had been in the process and of renovation and had not been accepting guests. Mr Maddock emphasised that he had wished to work with the Licence Holder and so had in advance of issuing Improvement Notices had requested Mr Diamond to draw up an action plan when after more than six weeks such a plan had not been submitted ten improvement notices had been issued and the Fire Service had also issued a prohibition notice. Mr Maddock confirmed that to date the notices had not been complied with and that criminal prosecutions were being actively considered. In conclusion Mr Maddock highlighted his concerns about the premises notably that he believed that guest bookings were still being taken while after the notices had been issued. Mr Maddock remained of the view that the failure of the Licence Holder to comply with statutory notices and equally to communicate to with the responsible authorities meant that the guests remained at risk and he urged the Licensing Panel to revoke the Premises Licence.

Mr Lee Petrak, Trading Standards and Licensing Manager, presented representations on behalf of the Licensing Authority. Mr Petrak expressed serious concerns about the operation of the premises and endorsed Mr Maddock’s representations. Mr Petrak also expressed concern at the frequent transfer of the Premises Licence into different companies all wholly-owned by Mr Diamond and that this had been done to avoid proper scrutiny of Mr Diamond’s operation while the issues of public safety remain unaddressed.

PC Ben Reynolds, Lancashire Constabulary, presented representations on behalf of that organisation. PC Reynolds explained that as well as the concerns already outlined about public safety there were a large amount of police incidents related to the premises- 38 calls in 12 months. PC Reynolds

Mr Alan Diamond, Premises Licence Holder and Designated Premises Supervisor, was in attendance accompanied by Mr Darren Cuddy, potential future licence holder. Mr Diamond highlighted that the premises had deteriorated during a time of personal crisis for himself.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.