Councillor Sandra Campbell-Wardman was duly nominated and upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED

That Councillor Sandra Campbell-Wardman be elected Chairman of the Licensing Sub-Committee for this Meeting only.

COUNCILLOR SANDRA CAMPBELL-WARDMAN IN THE CHAIR

At this point in the meeting, Members were invited to declare any relevant interests.  None were received.

Those present were noted.

Report of Group Manager Public Protection.

The Sub-Committee was presented with a report by the Group Manager, Public Protection which enabled Members to consider an application by Lincolnshire Police for a review of the premises licence held in respect of the premises known as Sairam Alford Convenience Store, 14 Market Place, Alford, LN13 9EB.

The grounds of the application for review related to the prevention of crime licensing objective – the premises had recently been visited by Lincolnshire Police and were found to be employing an illegal worker. The Police were asking the Licensing Authority to consider a revocation of the premises licence.

The application for review had not attracted representations from the other Responsible Authorities (e.g. Lincolnshire Trading Standards, Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue, etc.).

One representation from the public was received and circulated.

The Home Office guidance to Licensing Authorities stated that there were certain criminal activities which should be treated particularly seriously by a Licensing Authority, one of those was knowingly employing a person who was not entitled to work in the UK.

The Authority’s licensing policy stressed that in cases when the crime prevention objective was being undermined it could be expected that revocation of the premises licence would be seriously considered.

The Senior Licensing Officer outlined the report detailing the licensing objectives, page 3 to 6 of the report refer and the recommendations available to the Sub-Committee, page 2 of the report refers.  The information included the background on the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), Mr Balasundaram Balagajendran (Mr Bala).

N.B. Meeting adjourned at 10.45am to allow Members to review the necessary paperwork, which had arrived late.

N.B. Meeting reconvened at 10.50am.

It was confirmed that the hearing would be held in open session. Redacted and unredacted documents were discussed, with a request not to disclose sensitive personal information publicly.

Sergeant Amy Adams, Lincolnshire Police, was invited to make her representation to the Sub-Committee.

Lincolnshire Police presented their case for the review of the premises licence for Sairam Alford Convenience Store and Shop Local, Alford.  Members were referred to the police report, pages 25 to 27 of the agenda pack refer and Appendices A to H in the police evidence pack.  Key points included:

-        Employment of illegal workers on two occasions (October and November 2024.)

-        Workers were observed stacking shelves, serving customers, and demonstrating knowledge of store operations.

-        A pattern of non-compliance with licence conditions across both premises operated by Mr Bala, including lack of Challenge 25 policy, refusal logs, and staff training.

-        No right right-to-work checks were conducted.

-        Failure to implement improvements after initial warnings.

-        Absence of CCTV footage and refusal logs.

Lincolnshire Police requested revocation of the licence due to serious breaches undermining the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder.

Mr Roy Light, the Barrister for Mr Bala was invited to make his representation to the Sub-Committee and responded with the following points:

-        Acknowledged past failings but argued no civil penalties were issued and stated that any compliance issues had been rectified.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

Report of Group Manager Public Protection.

The Sub-Committee was presented with a report by the Group Manager, Public Protection which enabled Members to consider an application by Lincolnshire Police for a review of the premises licence held in respect of the premises known as Shop Local at 107 West Street, Alford, LN13 9HA.

The grounds of the application for review related to the prevention of crime licensing objective – the premises had recently been visited by Lincolnshire Police and were found to be employing an illegal worker. The Police were asking the Licensing Authority to consider a revocation of the premises licence.

The application for review had not attracted representations from the other Responsible Authorities (e.g. Lincolnshire Trading Standards, Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue, etc.). No representations had been submitted by local residents, local businesses, etc.

The Home Office guidance to Licensing Authorities stated that there were certain criminal activities which should be treated particularly seriously by a Licensing Authority, one of those was knowingly employing a person who was not entitled to work in the UK.

This Authority’s licensing policy stressed that in cases when the crime prevention objective was being undermined it could be expected that revocation of the premises licence would be seriously considered.

The Senior Licensing Officer outlined the report detailing the licensing objectives, page 43 to 46 of the report refer and the recommendations available to the Sub-Committee, page 42 of the report refers.  The information included the background on the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), Mr Balasundaram Balagajendran (Mr Bala).

N.B. Meeting adjourned at 10.45am to allow Members to review the necessary paperwork, which had arrived late.

N.B. Meeting reconvened at 10.50am.

It was confirmed that the hearing would be held in open session. Redacted and unredacted documents were discussed, with a request not to disclose sensitive personal information publicly.

Sergeant Amy Adams, Lincolnshire Police, was invited to make her representation to the Sub-Committee.

Lincolnshire Police presented their case for the review of the premises licence for Sairam Alford Convenience Store and Shop Local, Alford.  Members were referred to the police report, pages 25 to 27 of the agenda pack refer and Appendices A to H in the police evidence pack.  Key points included:

-        Employment of illegal workers on two occasions (October and November 2024.)

-        Workers were observed stacking shelves, serving customers, and demonstrating knowledge of store operations.

-        A pattern of non-compliance with licence conditions across both premises operated by Mr Bala, including lack of Challenge 25 policy, refusal logs, and staff training.

-        No right right-to-work checks were conducted.

-        Failure to implement improvements after initial warnings.

-        Absence of CCTV footage and refusal logs.

Lincolnshire Police requested revocation of the licence due to serious breaches undermining the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder.

Mr Roy Light, the Barrister for Mr Bala was invited to make his representation to the Sub-Committee and responded with the following points:

-        Acknowledged past failings but argued no civil penalties were issued and stated that any compliance issues had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.