Resolved: That Councillor Esler be appointed as Chairman of the meeting.

(Cllr. Esler in the Chair)

There were none.

The Hearing gave consideration to the report of the Senior Licensing Officer, which detailed an application for an expedited review of the premises licence under Section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003 (premises associated with serious crime and disorder). The panel were asked to consider whether interim steps were necessary, pending a full review hearing, taking into consideration the Senior Officer’s Certificate, The Police Officers’ representations, and the representations of the former and current Premises Licence Holder.

Resolved: That, under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting on the grounds that likely disclosure of exempt information is involved as defined by Schedule 12A, paragraph 7 (Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.)

The Panel heard from a representative of Kent Police, and the former and present licence holders, and asked questions of clarification, as contained within the confidential appendix to these minutes.

At 10:38 a.m., the Hearing Members withdrew to consider the issues raised, accompanied by the Council’s Legal Advisor and the Clerk to the Hearing for the purposes of providing advice only.

At 11:32 a.m. The Hearing Members, Council’s Legal Advisor and the Clerk to the Hearing returned to the Council Chamber.

Members asked further questions of clarification, as detailed within the confidential appendix to these minutes.

The Chairman moved that the Premises Licence be suspended in full until the final disposal of the full review, and outlined the reasons for this, as contained within the confidential appendix to these minutes. She clarified that the “final disposal of the full review” meant until the decision of the full review had not been appealed, or until the disposal of such an appeal.

It was

Resolved: that the Premises Licence be suspended until the final disposal of the full review of the Licence (for the reasons as detailed within the confidential appendix to these Minutes.)