Councillor Andrew Woollard

DETERMINATION OF AN APPLICATION FOR A NEW PREMISES LICENCE MADE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE LICENSING ACT 2003 - 4 North Brink Bar and Rooms Ltd, 4 North Brink, Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 1JR

From: Licensing Sub Committee - Thursday, 28th May, 2026 10.00 am - May 28, 2026

Application considered: The Licensing Sub-Committee (“the Committee”) considered an application (“the Application”) for a Premises Licence for 4 North Brink Bar and Rooms, Wisbech PE13 1JR (“the Premises”) by Northbrink Bar & Rooms Limited (“the Applicant”). The Application seeks to provide the following Licensable Activities: Sales of Alcohol Live Music Recorded Music The Application has received relevant representations from Other Persons. Those representations have not been withdrawn, and the Committee must determine the Application. Law and guidance considered: In reaching its determination, the Committee considered: The Licensing Act 2003; The Secretary of State’s Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003; Fenland District Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy; All evidence presented both orally and in writing for and against the Application; and Any legal advice (as set out below) provided to the Committee by its Legal Adviser. Legal advice provided: The Committee were reminded of the Licensing Objectives and that each objective carries equal weight. The Committee were reminded of their options as regards determining applications, namely: To grant the application for a Premises Licence To grant the application for a Premises Licence modified to such an extent as the Committee considers appropriate and proportionate for the promotion of the Licensing Objectives To exclude from the scope of the licence any of the Licensable Activities applied for To refuse to specify a person as the Designated Premises Supervisor To reject (refuse) the application. The Committee were reminded that they must have regard to the Council’s policy in respect of these types of applications, that the overarching legislation is the Licensing Act 2003, and that the Committee must have regard to the Section 182 Guidance. Matters found to be irrelevant in this case: Matters of crime and disorder that would fall outside the control of any reasonable Premises Licence Holder.

Recommendations Approved

DETERMINATION OF AN APPLICATION FOR A NEW PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER'S LICENCE

From: Licensing Sub Committee - Tuesday, 26th August, 2025 4.00 pm - August 26, 2025

The Licensing Sub-Committee heard an application for a new Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence.   Upon application, the applicant disclosed one previous conviction on 5 January 2024 and was sentenced to a fine and an endorsement of 6 penalty points.   The application has been referred to the Licensing Authority’s Sub-Committee to determine whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence issued by the Licensing Authority.   The Sub-Committee considered the report from the Licensing Officer and heard from the applicant.   In making its decision, the Sub-Committee considered all relevant legislation, as well as both the statutory (Department for Transport) and non-statutory (Institute of Licensing) guidance and were reminded of Fenland District Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Policy 2021-26.   The Sub-Committee were reminded that when assessing suitability that the safety of the public is the paramount concern and that the test as to whether an individual should be granted a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence is whether the individual is a fit and proper person.   The Sub-Committee were reminded that their decision should be evidence based.   The Sub-Committee heard from the applicant regarding the circumstances which led to the conviction and were mindful of the fact that the applicant admitted the offence at the time and that he was honest in declaring the offence on the application.   However, the Sub-Committee noted that their responsibility is to protect the public and that protecting the public necessitates an expectation of high standards amongst Private Hire Vehicle Driver Licence applicants. The Sub-Committee were concerned that the applicant had been convicted of a relevant offence relatively recently and that not enough time had elapsed between the conviction and the application. The Sub-Committee were mindful that the Institute of Licensing’s guidance on the suitability of applicants convicted of offences that 5 years should have elapsed since the conviction or completion of any disqualification imposed, whichever is the later.   The Sub-Committee do not necessarily feel that the full five years is appropriate in the applicant’s case, but that further time needs to pass with the applicant demonstrating no further offending before the Sub-Committee would consider him fit and proper.

Recommendations Approved

APPLICATION FOR A FILM CLASSIFICATION

From: Licensing Committee - Tuesday, 26th August, 2025 1.30 pm - August 26, 2025

The Licensing Committee heard an application for a film classification as the film classification body for premises licensed for the exhibition of films under the Licensing Act 2003 within Fenland District.   In reaching their conclusion, the Licensing Committee viewed two episodes of the film, heard evidence from the applicant’s representative, considered the relevant legislation, guidance and the Council’s Licensing Policy.

Recommendations Approved

Appointment of the Chairman for the Municipal Year

From: Licensing Committee - Tuesday, 26th August, 2025 1.30 pm - August 26, 2025

Recommendations Approved