There were no apologies.

There were no substitute members.

RESOLVED: That Councillor English be elected as the Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

There were no urgent items.

There were no disclosures by Members and Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED: That all items be taken in public, unless any Member of the panel wished to specifically refer to the information contained within Item 9 – Exempt Appendices to Item 8, in which case the Sub-Committee would enter into closed session due to the likely disclosure of exempt information.

The Sub-Committee would enter into closed session for its deliberations.

The persons participating at the hearing were identified as follows:

Chairman – Councillor Clive English

Sub-Committee Member – Councillor Bob Hinder

Sub-Committee Member – Councillor Ziggy Trzebinksi

Senior Licensing Officer – Lorraine Neale

Legal Advisor – Helen Ward

Democratic Services Officer – Oliviya Parfitt

Applicant’s representatives – PC James Williams and James Powell

Respondent – Mr Bulent Turgut

Respondent’s representative – Mr Paddy Whur, Woods Whur

Interested Party – Councillor David Naghi

The Sub-Committee adjourned between 10.30 a.m. to 11.15 a.m. to ensure that all Members of the Sub-Committee were able to review the evidence contained within Item 9 – Exempt Appendix 1(1), 1(4), 1(6) & 1(8) to Item 8 – Application for Review of a Premises Licence – The Social Chill Bar, 95a Week Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1QX.

Following the Sub-Committee’s return, all parties confirmed that they were aware of the hearings procedure and had read the papers and supplementary information to the review.

The Chairman explained that:

·  The Sub-Committee would allow all parties to put their case fully and make full submission within a reasonable time frame.

·  The procedure would take the form of a discussion led by the Sub-Committee and they would usually permit cross-examination within a reasonable timeframe.

·  Any person attending the hearing who behaved in a disruptive manner may be directed to leave the hearing by the Sub-Committee (including temporarily) after which, such person may submit to the Sub-Committee any information which that person would have been entitled to give orally had the person not been required to leave the meeting. If this was not possible, they may be permitted to speak at the Chairman’s invitation.

The Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report and stated that the review application had been submitted by Chief Inspector Mark McLellan, as Kent Police felt that all other avenues of engagement with the respondent had been exhausted. The grounds for the review were the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the protection of children from harm.

The Senior Licensing Officer stated that the review application as shown within Appendix 1 to the report outlined the incidents that had occurred at the premises and included the actions taken in response by the respondent and Kent Police. The respondent’s representative had submitted a case outline that was shown in appendix 6 to the report, which included reference to the respondent’s previous experience in managing other licensed premises.

The applicant’s representative was invited to make their case and outlined the following incidents:

·  11 June 2021; A disturbance at the venue had resulted in security staff using a metal baton on patrons within the venue. The incident was the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation.

·  23 June 2021; A disturbance at the venue resulted in the removal of a patron by the police. No further action was taken. 

·  16 September 2021; A patron had made threats whilst in possession of glassware. Kent Police attended the venue, and the situation was de-escalated.

·  14 October 2021; A patron was allegedly assaulted by door  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

RESOLVED: That the item be considered alongside Item 8 – Application for Review of a Premises Licence – The Social Chill Bar, 95a Week Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1QX.