Agenda and minutes

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

To receive any apologies for absence from Members.

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Matthews. Councillor Canavan, as first reserve, stepped up to sit on the Sub-Committee.

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 BCP Council’s Licensing Authority for the review of the premises licence for the premises known as ‘Ashley Vegas’.

The Licensing Authority no longer have confidence in the premises licence holder and designated premises supervisor (DPS) to uphold the prevention of crime and disorder and protection of children from harm licensing objectives.

This matter is brought before the Licensing Sub-Committee for consideration.

Present:

From BCP Council:

Sarah Rogers – Principal Licensing Officer

Linda Cole – Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee

Michelle Cutler – Clerk to the Sub-Committee

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 by BCP Council’s Licensing Authority for the review of the premises licence for the premises known as ‘Ashley Vegas’, as the Licensing Authority no longer had confidence in the premises licence holder and designated premises supervisor (DPS) to uphold the prevention of crime and disorder and protection of children from harm licensing objectives. In addition, it was stated that the premises was linked to criminal activities, particularly the storage and sale of illicit tobacco and vapes.

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

For the Applicant:

Tania Jardim – Licensing Officer, representing BCP Council

Andy Crossen-White, Trading Standards, BCP Council (in support of the application).

The Premises Licence Holder, Mr Hiwa Yousefzadeh, did not attend the hearing.

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 24 June 2025, made by BCP Council’s Licensing Authority to review the premises licence for the premises known as ‘Ashley Vegas’, 408 Ashley Road, Poole, BH14 0AA, 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 and protection of children from harm licensing objectives and is satisfied that there is no alternative outcome that will mitigate the concerns raised by BCP Council Licensing Authority, Trading Standards and Dorset Police.? 

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, the written and verbal evidence provided by Tania Jardim, Licensing Officer, representing the applicant, BCP Council, the written and verbal representation made by?Andy Crossen-White, Trading Standards Officer in support of the review on the grounds of Prevention of Crime and Disorder, as well as the written submissions of Dorset Police in support of the review on the grounds of Prevention of Crime and Disorder.? 

The Premise Licence Holder, Mr Hiwa Yousefzadeh, did not attend the Hearing despite being invited, and had not made contact with the Licensing Authority since the application for review had been issued and served on him. 

In determining the review, the Sub-Committee considered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

In relation to the items of business appearing below, the Committee is asked to consider the following resolution: -

‘That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act and that the public interest in withholding the information outweighs such interest in disclosing the information.’

RESOLVED that under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act and that the public interest in withholding the information outweighs such interest in disclosing the information.

To consider whether the driver is a ‘fit and proper’ person to continue with the application process to become the holder of a Hackney Carriage and/or Private Hire driver licence.

This matter is brought to the Licenisng Sub Committee for determination.

The Sub Committee was asked to defer this item to a future meeting as the Chair requested not to participate in this case.

RESOLVED that this item be deferred to a future meeting.