Agenda and minutes

The evacuation procedure was noted.

There were no declarations of interest.

Members of the Statutory Licensing Sub Committee were asked to consider an application for a personal licence under section 117 of the Licensing Act 2003 (“the Act”) for applicant – 160402. The application was the subject of an objection notice from the police, therefore a hearing was required.

On reviewing the basic disclosure and the declaration, the applicant had been convicted of driving a motor vehicle with excess alcohol on 27 April 2025, which was a relevant conviction, under schedule 4 of the Act.

The police had made an objection notice, which included personal details relating to applicant – 160402’s conduct.

Members of the Statutory Licensing Sub Committee agreed that the discussion of appendix 1 required exclusion of the public under regulation 14 of the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005.

Applicant -  160402 appeared before the Committee for determination of his application and was given the opportunity to make representation.

PC Andrew Thorpe of Cleveland Police attended the meeting and was given the opportunity to make representation.

The report detailed the following:

- A copy of the grounds for the police objection to applicant – 160402’s application.

- A copy of applicant – 160402’s application, right to work and driving licence.

The Chair introduced everyone present and explained the procedure to be followed during the hearing.

Committee papers and reports had been provided to all relevant parties prior to the meeting. 

The Committee Members were presented with the officer’s report and had the opportunity to ask questions of both the officer’s, Cleveland Police and applicant – 160402.

The Committee Members were presented with Cleveland Police’s objection notice and had the opportunity to ask questions of both the officer’s, Cleveland Police and applicant – 160402 in relation to the objection.

The Committee had considered all the information before them and listened to what the licensing officer, Cleveland Police and applicant – 160402 had said to them.

The main topics discussed were as follows:

- Cleveland Police highlighted concerns that anybody who had been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol did not show the required level of responsibility or was trustworthy to hold a personal licence. Holding a personal licence was a big responsibility where important decisions needed to be made and which could put the licence holder and others in jeopardy if the wrong decisions were made. Cleveland Police therefore had no choice but to object to applicant – 160402’s application for a personal licence on the grounds that it could undermine the Crime and Disorder licensing condition. The poor decision-making applicant – 160402 had made committing such an offence called in to question his decision making when supplying alcohol and the general running of a licensed premises.

- Applicant – 160402 gave the Committee a potted history of his ill health, family background and work life.

- Applicant – 160402 had been mentally discharged from the Army and registered disabled in 2012 and since then had spent most of his time at home or in hospital.

-  ...  view the full minutes text for item SLS/23/25