Agenda and draft minutes

The Senior Democratic and Civic Officer opened the meeting and asked for nominations for Chairman. Having been nominated, seconded, and voted upon, it was

RESOLVED that Councillor J Snee be elected Chairman of the Licensing Sub-Committee for this meeting.

Councillor J Snee took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting and round the table introductions were made.

Members may make any declarations of interest at this point but may also make them at any time during the course of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest at this point in the meeting.

It was noted that the requested interpreter had not yet arrived, with Members highlighting the meeting had been adjourned previously on the basis that the applicant had requested an interpreter to be present.

In order for Officers to ascertain whether the interpreter was delayed or absent, the Chairman proposed a short adjournment. This was seconded and voted upon, and it was

RESOLVED that the meeting be adjourned for a period of 15 minutes.

Note:              The meeting was adjourned at 10.42am and reconvened at 10.55am.

On reconvening the meeting, it was explained that the interpreter was not able to attend. The Chairman invited comments from the applicant and officers in order to determine how to proceed.

The applicant’s representative stated that he was able to act as an interpreter for the applicant, and the difficulty with the previous date was that he had not been able to attend. The request for the interpreter had been based on his absence, however as he was now present, he was able to interpret proceedings for the applicant. He also stated that their application and supporting documents had been clearly presented in order for the Sub-Committee to consider in full, and that any further delay to the proceedings was compounding concerns about loss of business. The applicant indicated his agreement with the representative’s assertion that the hearing could proceed, and stated his wish to withdraw the request for an interpreter.

Officers explained that the applicant had previously refused for an interpreter to be arranged, but had then requested for one to be present ahead of the scheduled meeting on 14 May 2025. Given the nature of a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting, Officers stated their preference for an interpreter to be present, given the previous request, in order to ensure the applicant was fully understanding of the procedures and all representations.

Having heard from all present, the Chairman proposed an adjournment in order to deliberate the best course of action. On being seconded and voted upon, it was

RESOLVED that the meeting be adjourned for Members to discuss whether to proceed.

Note:              The meeting adjourned at 11.01 am and reconvened at 11.14am

Having requested an interpreter, Officers felt it would be remiss of the Sub-Committee to continue with    stated that the meeting should proceed as if it is delayed further it may lead to a loss of earnings. Officers expressed that they would support adjournment until a Translator was in place. It was explained by Officers that a Translator was initially refused by the Applicant, and then subsequently requested a few days before the initial 14 May 2025 meeting date.

The Applicant stated that a Translator was no longer needed and withdrew their request for one.

The Chairman sought an adjournment to discuss options for how to proceed.

Note: The meeting was adjourned at 11.01am and reconvened at 11.14am.

Upon reconvening the meeting, the Chairman made the following statement:

“The Sub-Committee are aware that due to circumstances beyond the committee’s control an interpreter has not attended today. The Sub-Committee have been made aware that the applicant himself has requested an interpreter attend the hearing. After hearing representations from the applicant and the Licensing Authority, the Sub-Committee is satisfied that in the interests of fairness and transparency, an independent interpreter should be in attendance and are satisfied that today’s hearing is adjourned and a further hearing arranged as soon as reasonably practicable with an independent interpreter in attendance.”

Note:              The meeting was adjourned at 11.15am to a future date to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.