Agenda and decisions

To receive apologies from Members of the Sub-Committee.

The Chair to announce any items of urgent business circulated separately from the main agenda.

Members to declare any personal and financial interests in items on the agenda. Attention is drawn to the Council’s Constitution; the Council’s Code of Conduct and associated advice.

Members are requested to confirm as an accurate record the Minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd August 2024

No motion or discussion may take place upon the Minutes except as to their accuracy, and any question on this point will be determined by a majority of the Members of the body attending who were present when the matter in question was decided. Once confirmed, with or without amendment, the person presiding will sign the Minutes

Application for a Premises Licence

In reaching its decision, the Licensing Sub-Committee (“LSC”) considered the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, the Licensing Act 2003, the Regulations made thereunder, and the Guidance issued by the Secretary of State under S.182 of that Act. In discharging its functions, the LSC did so with a view to promoting the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm. 

Having considered all written representations, evidence, and oral submissions, the LSC resolved to grant the premises licence subject to conditions.

Permitted Licensable Activities:

Sale and supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises only, Monday to Sunday.

Exhibition of Films, Provision of Indoor Sports, Performance of Live Music, Provision of Recorded Music, Performance of Dance and activities of a similar description (both indoors and outdoors), Monday to Sunday.

Permitted Hours for Licensable Activities:

From two hours before kick-off for home football matches to one hour after the end of the match or 9pm, whichever is the earlier.

The Premises Licence shall be subject to the following conditions:

1. There shall be no sale or supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises.
2. Amplified music is only permitted to be played from 2 hours before kick-off for home matches to one hour after the end of the match or 9pm whichever is the earlier. 
3. The premises shall only be used for Charlton Athletic FC first team home matches(men and women).
4. The premises shall only be used for Charlton AFC fans and supporters and no away team fans shall be permitted into the premises.
5. No drinks, alcohol or non-alcohol, shall be served in glass containers at any time, biodegradable or plastic containers should be used.
6. There shall be a written Security Policy implemented as approved by the police, and which shall include:-

i.                Minimum number of supervisors

ii.              Display of name badges by staff

iii.             Proof of SIA registration of staff

iv.             Hours of operation and location of door staff

7.     The Challenge 25/Think 25 proof of age scheme shall be operated at the premises. All customers who appear to staff to be under the age of 25 will be challenged to prove that they are over 18 when attempting to purchase alcohol. Acceptable forms of ID include a photo driving licence, passport, or Home Office approved identity card bearing the holographic ‘PASS’ mark. If the person seeking alcohol is unable to produce an acceptable form of identification, no sale or supply of alcohol shall be made to or for that person. 

8.     All staff involved in the sale or supply of alcohol shall be trained, as part of their induction, in the responsible sale of alcohol. Such training shall include challenging every individual who appears to staff to be under 25 years of age and to refuse service where individuals cannot produce acceptable means of ID and using the Refusals Log. Such training (including any refresher training) will be recorded in the Training Log.  

9.     Signage  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.

Application to vary the premises licence

In reaching its decision, the Licensing Sub-Committee (“LSC”) considered the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, the Licensing Act 2003, the Regulations made thereunder, and the Guidance issued by the Secretary of State under S.182 of that Act. In discharging its functions, the LSC did so with a view to promoting the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm. 

Having considered all written representations, evidence, and oral submissions, the LSC resolved to refuse the application to vary the premises licence.

Basis of Decision

The variation application sought to extend the hours for licensable activities from 9.30pm to 11pm or midnight on various days of the week. The agent for the applicant confirmed that the application was amended, and conditions agreed, as recommended, in response to the written representation by Environmental Health.

The application also sought permission for off sales of alcohol, however, this was qualified by the agent for the applicant that off sales of alcohol were only for consumption on the front terrace of the premises.

The agent’s submissions regarding the law and statutory guidance were noted and given appropriate weight.

The agent’s reference to the crime statistics in the locality within the last 6 months was noted with due regard and given appropriate weight.

It was noted that the premises are used for and benefit the community and has a charitable status.

The agent’s submissions regarding residents never liking the club and not wanting it in the locality was not evidenced and plainly wrong. Indeed, those objecting to the substantive application supported the club and the community work it engages in. What the residents did oppose was the noise and public nuisance, crime and disorder associated with the premises and the negative impact on their daily living.

In reaching its decision the LSC noted the history of the premises from 2022 but more pertinently considered the existing conditions of the premises licence, the Temporary Event Notices (TENs) in 2023 and in 2024, and the evidence of ongoing noise, public nuisance and anti-social behaviour associated with the premises.

The LSC heard compelling evidence from councillors and residents of the ongoing noise and public nuisance from the premises including when TENs were in force. There was also clear evidence of licensable activities being carried on without lawful licence or authorisation, or events going beyond permitted hours late into the night. Examples being conditions 11 and 18 within Annex 2 of the licence for the car park not being complied with, patrons loitering, yelling, playing car radios and talking loudly and disturbing residents and children. The TEN application, for 6^th August 2023, was withdrawn but the event proceeded with loud music audible in residential premises. Similarly, an event continued beyond permitted hours on 15^th July 2024, with accompanying anti-social behaviour, and disruption in the locality, noise and loud music being played. The schedule of complaints within the report to the LSC were given proportionate  ...  view the full decision text for item 6.