Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor J S Back.

It was noted that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4, Councillor M P Porter was appointed substitute for Councillor J S Back.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

It is recommended that, in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting.

The licensing authority may exclude the public from all or part of a hearing where it considers that the public interest in so doing outweighs the public interest in the hearing, or that part of the hearing taking place in public.

It was moved by Councillor O C de R Richardson, duly seconded and

RESOLVED:   That, having applied the public interest test in accordance with Regulation 14 of The Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting and that a decision will be published on the basis that it does not place sensitive data and/or information in the public domain.

The Sub-Committee is requested to determine the application.

The procedures for meetings (hearings) of the Licensing Sub-Committee are as set out in the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005 and these regulations do not require the full agenda papers to be published and made available on the website or copies provided at the meetings outside of the parties to the meeting itself. The Licensing Sub-Committee meetings are open to the public, unless in exceptional circumstances the Authority considers it in the public interest to exclude the press and public for all or part of a hearing.

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application for the review of a Premises Licence for Cabin News, 93 London Road, Dover. The review was made under section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003 as requested by Police Licensing Enforcement Officer (Strategic Prevention Command Licensing Hub East Division), on behalf of Kent Police. The review was called under the licensing objectives Prevention of Crime and Disorder and Protection of Children from Harm.

The following documentary evidence and/or other information was taken into account by the Sub-Committee:

(i)               The Licensing Manager’s report including, the options available to the Sub-Committee.

(ii)              A copy of the current premises licence for Cabin News (appendix A of the agenda).

(iii)            Map of the area (appendix B of the agenda).

(iv)            Review application submitted by Kent Police (appendix C of the agenda).

(v)             Other representations (appendix D of the agenda).

On the basis of the representations of the Responsible Authority (Kent Police, the applicant) and the representations from Other Persons, the Sub-Committee found the following facts to be established:

(i)                       That under section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003, the Police Licensing Enforcement Officer, on behalf of Kent Police as the Responsible Authority, submitted a review application for Cabin News, Dover and sought the revocation of the premises licence on the grounds that the licencing objectives of the Prevention of Crime and Disorder and the Protection of Children from Harm were not being promoted.  

(ii)              The premises was licensed since January 2021.  The Premises Licence Holder took over the premises in March 2021 and became the Designated Premises Supervisor in May 2021.  The premises applied for a variation to the licensable hours in December 2021 to extend alcohol sales until midnight.  The licensable activity at the premises was: Alcohol Sales (OFF the premises) – everyday 09:00 – 00:00 hrs.

(iii)            The applicant stated that on 16^th January 2024 Kent Police were called by a concerned parent who reported an underage sale of vodka to their child at Cabin News Off Licence on London Road.  The CCTV (audio and visual) footage of the sale was obtained from the premises by Kent Police.  It was viewed twice by the Sub-Committee during the hearing. 

(iv)            The Police Licensing Enforcement Officer set out their concerns regarding the sale and the risks of alcohol to young people.  The Police Licensing Enforcement Officer submitted that the premises posed a significant risk to young people.

(v)             During the consultation period a representation was received from Kent County Council’s Integrated Children Services Delivery Manager for Dover.  The child’s parent had also reported this sale to the team and the team onward reported to their partnership colleagues. 

(vi)            A representative from Kent County Council’s Integrated Children’s Services explained that the team sought to encourage community guardianship working with non-traditional partners such as shopkeepers to increase guardian capacity for young people while they are in their communities.  The team had spoken with the shop owner, they knew the team was working in the area and that they  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.