Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Members.

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Matthews and Cllr Richardson, Cllr Filer stepped up as 2nd reserve to sit on the Sub-Committee.

To elect a Chair of this meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED that Councillor Keddie be elected Chairman of the Sub-Committee for the duration of the meeting.

Voting: Unanimous

Councillors are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The protocol for public speaking at Licensing Sub Committee hearings is included with the agenda sheet for noting.

The protocol for public speaking was noted.

To consider an application by Dorset Police for the review of the premises licence following a visit by Home Office Immigration Enforcement where they found an illegal worker employed at the premises.

Dorset Police no longer have confidence in the premises licence holder to uphold the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective.

Sarah Rogers – Senior Licensing Officer

Lina Cole – Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee

Sinead O’Callaghan – Clerk to the Sub-Committee

Christiane Tan – Democratic Services, Observing

Andy McDiarmid – Legal Advisor, observing

Cllr P Canavan - Observing

Cllr S Bartlett - Observing

The Chair made introductions and explained the procedure for the hearing which was agreed by all parties.

The Licensing Officer presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘A’ to these minutes in the Minute Book.

The Licensing Sub-Committee was asked to consider an application made by Dorset Police for a Review of the Premises Licence following a visit by HM Immigration Enforcement where an alleged illegal worker was found employed at the premises. Dorset Police no longer had confidence in the premises licence holder to uphold the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective.

The following persons attended the hearing and addressed the Sub-Committee to expand on the points made in their written submissions:

For the Applicant:

Sgt Gareth Gosling – Dorset Police

Louise Busfield - Dorset Police

Fiona Smythe - Immigration Officer

For the Premises:

Sujeevan Muralimohan - Premises Licence Holder/Designated Premises Supervisor

Philip Day – Premises Solicitor

The Sub-Committee asked various questions of all parties present and was grateful for the responses received. All parties had the opportunity to ask questions. All parties were invited to sum up before the Sub-Committee retired to make its decision. Before concluding the hearing, the Legal Advisor advised all parties of the right of appeal.

RESOLVED that having considered the application dated 16 April 2025, made by Dorset Police to review the premises licence for the premises known as ‘Hillside Stores’ 289 Kinson Road Bournemouth BH10 5HE, the Sub-Committee has decided that it is appropriate to revoke the licence on the grounds that the premises are not upholding the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective and is satisfied that there is no alternative outcome that will mitigate the concerns raised by Dorset Police and Home Office Immigration Enforcement. 

The Sub-Committee gave detailed consideration to all of the information which had been submitted before the hearing and contained in the report for Agenda Item 5, presented by Sarah Rogers, Senior Licensing Officer, in particular the written and verbal evidence provided by Sgt Gosling of Dorset Police, the written and verbal representation made by Fiona Smythe of Home Office Immigration Enforcement in support of the review on the grounds of Prevention of Crime and Disorder, as well as the verbal submissions made at the hearing by Mr Sujeevan Muralimohan, Premises Licence Holder and Designated Premises Supervisor and Mr Philip Day, Solicitor acting for the Premises.

In determining the review, the Sub-Committee considered the options available to them as set out in the recommendations of the report and provided for in the Licensing Act 2003. They took account of the Guidance by the Secretary of State made under section 182 of that Act as well as the BCP Statement of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.