Agenda item

4.1

The Chief Licensing Officer submitted a report to consider an application, made by South Yorkshire Police, under Section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003, for a review of a premises licence in respect of Queer Junction, 137-139 The Moor, Sheffield S1 4PH (Ref. No. 188/22).

4.2

Present at the meeting were James Ketteringham, Ian Armitage and Paul Briggs (South Yorkshire Police, Applicants), Chris Grunert (John Gaunt, Solicitors, for the premises), Matt Taylor and Orin Fitchett (Queer Junction), Maureen Hanniffy (Sheffield Children’s Safeguarding Partnership), Jayne Gough (Licensing Policy and Strategy Officer), Carol Curtin (Legal Advisor to the Sub-Committee) and John Turner (Democratic Services).

4.3

The Chair outlined the procedure to be followed during the hearing.

4.4

Jayne Gough presented the report, and it was noted that representations had been received from the Sheffield Children's Safeguarding Partnership and 11 members of the public, 10 in support of the premises and one in support of the review, and were attached at Appendix “D” to the report.

4.5

Chris Grunert stated that following the interim steps hearing on 22^nd November, 2022, the police had met with the premises, and had agreed a way forward which, if agreed by the Sub-Committee, could negate the requirement for a full review. The main element of the agreement was the premises voluntarily agreeing to close at 04:00 hours, subject to the interim steps imposed on 22^nd November, 2022, being lifted.

4.6

James Ketteringham reported on the current policing arrangements for the venue, including crime statistics. He referred to the agreement between the premises and the police, stating that the premises had agreed to the 04:00 hours closure, as well as reviewing other aspects of the premises’ operation, including CCTV, door supervision and training. Mr Ketteringham stated that the agreement between the two parties would last for a period of six weeks (to 23^rd January, 2023), when both parties would review how the new arrangements were going. He concluded by stating that he was confident that the agreement would work.

4.7

James Ketteringham responded to questions raised by a Member of the Sub-Committee.

4.8

Chris Grunert put the case on behalf of the premises, confirming the arrangements made with the police, in that management were happy for the premises to continue to close at 04:00 hours up to 23^rd January, 2023, then for a review of the operation to be undertaken after that date, in collaboration with the police. He stated that he had every confidence in the management adhering to this arrangement, and that they would continue to work with the police in connection with all aspects of the operation of the premises.  Mr Grunert confirmed that no children or young people had been involved in any of the reported incidents, and this was ratified by Maureen Hanniffy. He concluded by stating that, following the interim steps hearing, management were reviewing other aspects of the premises’ operation, including CCTV, door supervisors, membership scheme and training.

4.9

Chris Grunert responded to questions raised by Members of the Sub-Committee and Jayne Gough.

4.10

RESOLVED: That the attendees involved in the application be excluded from the meeting before further discussion takes place on the grounds that, in view of nature of the business to be transacted, if those persons were present, there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information as described in paragraph 5 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.

4.11

Carol Curtin reported orally, giving legal advice on various aspects of the application.

4.12

At this stage in the proceedings, the meeting was re-opened to the public and press and attendees.

4.13

RESOLVED: That in the light of the information contained in the report now submitted, the representations now made and the responses to the questions raised, regarding the premises licence in respect of the premises known as Queer Junction, 137-139 The Moor, Sheffield, S1 4PH (Ref. No. 188/22), the Sub-Committee:-

(a)      agrees that the interim steps imposed at the informal meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 22^nd November, 2022, be lifted; and

(b)      concurs with the agreement made between the premises and the police, for the premises to voluntarily close at 04:00 hours, up to 23^rd January, 2023, and for a review of the operation of the premises to be undertaken by the premises and the police after that date.

(NOTE: The full reasons for the Sub-Committee’s decision will be included in the written Notice of Determination.)