Issue - meetings

Members of the Statutory Licensing Sub Committee of the Council’s Statutory Licensing Committee were asked to consider an application for a review of a premise licence for Somerset Convenience Store, 60 Somerset Road, Norton, Stockton on Tees, TS20 2ND.

The application had been made by the Licensing Authority acting as a Responsible Authority on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and protection of children from harm licensing objectives.

The Chair introduced all persons who were present and explained the procedure to be followed during the hearing.

The Members noted that this review of the premises licence was made at the request of the Licensing Authority. Representations had been received from other responsible authorities including Cleveland Police, Public Health and Immigration Enforcement.

Mr A the Premises Licence Holder (PLH) and Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) attended the meeting was given the opportunity to make representation.

The Licensing Officer presented the Licensing Authority’s case to the Sub-Committee. It was explained that the application for a review of the premises licence was due to the undermining of the licensing objectives; specifically the prevention of crime and disorder objective.

The Sub-Committee heard that the Licensing Authority’s concerns related to illegal working at the premises, for which a civil penalty had been issued under the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

The Public Health Practitioner confirmed Public Health’s support of the review application, and echoed concerns that the presence of illegal workers at the premises undermined the crime and disorder licensing objective.

Seargeant Bavin of Cleveland Police outlined his concerns in relation to the premises to the Sub-Committee. The Sub-Committee heard from Seargeant Bavin that the licensing objectives were not being upheld at the premises, demonstrated by the presence of illegal workers. 

Mr A and the Sub-Committee members were given an opportunity to ask questions of each of the Responsible Authority representatives. Mr A did not ask any questions.

Mr A explained to the Sub-Committee that the two females in question at the shop were not illegal workers, despite the immigration authorities believing that they were.

The Sub-Committee heard from Mr A that the two females were friends of his partner that she knew personally. Mr A told the Sub-Committee that his partner managed the shop, and that the females were there completing unpaid works experience.

In response to questioning from the Sub-Committee, Mr A believed that the females became legal workers after the visit from Immigration Enforcement, and that they did not have leave to remain in the country and would have to leave at the end of December 2024.

Mr A told the Sub-Committee that he had done his best and would not make the same mistakes again in future.

The Sub-Committee and other parties present were invited to ask questions of Mr A.

All parties present were given an opportunity to sum up their case.

The Licensing Officer clarified to the Sub-Committee that he was present during the Immigration Enforcement visit to the premises on 11th July 2024. The Licensing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13