This week in Westminster:

• The Licensing Sub-Committee (4) met on Thursday 16 January 2025 to consider applications to review the licences of Mediterranean Cafe and Violets in Soho.

Licensing Sub-Committee (4) - Thursday 16 January 2025

This meeting was about whether to revoke the licences of two Soho restaurants, Mediterranean Cafe at 18 Berwick Street and Violets at 19 Berwick Street.

The meeting considered two applications for review of the licences from Westminster City Council's Licensing Authority, on the grounds of:

• the prevention of crime and disorder,
• public safety, and
• the prevention of public nuisance.

Both restaurants are owned by the same licensee, Mr [redacted], who the Director of Public Protection and Licensing describes as the least compliant operator I have worked with.

The report for Mediterranean Cafe says that the Licensing Authority is requesting the review after numerous breaches of licence conditions at the premises at both restaurants, including:

• trading beyond permitted hours,
• using unlicensed tables and chairs,
• operating as a bar without serving substantial meals, and
• failing to provide CCTV footage to the police.

The report details a number of specific incidents that led to Soho Kitchen and Bar Limited, Mr [redacted] and his brother, Mr [redacted], being convicted at City of Westminster Magistrates Court and fined £9459.00.

Representations in support of the application for review were received from the Metropolitan Police Service and Environmental Health. One representation from a member of the public was received in support of the review of the Mediterranean Cafe licence. 46 representations were received from members of the public opposing the application for review.

The report for Violets lists the same breaches of licence conditions as the report for the Mediterranean Cafe, and goes into more detail about inspections in July 2022 and July 2024. The July 2024 inspection identified a large number of issues, including:

• an old version of the licence was displayed,
• there was no Section 57 notice displayed¹,
• the restaurant was not operating a Challenge 25 policy,
• there were no incident or challenge logs being kept,
• there were no keep quiet signs displayed,
• there were no staff training records,
• fire exit signs were not displayed in the basement,
• some fire extinguishers had not been checked since 2021,
• the basement fire escape lights were broken, and
• the basement fire escape door handle was broken.

One representation from a member of the public was received in support of the review. 69 representations were received from members of the public opposing the application for review.

The Director of Public Protection and Licensing's report concludes:

In my experience the licence holder is the least compliant operator I have worked with, and given the repetitive nature of this non —compliance, we request serious consideration is given to the licences being revoked in line with the licensing objectives, the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the prevention of public nuisance

This is a similar situation to the Red Lion pub in Soho, which we wrote about in our email of 07 July 2023. In that case, the Licensing Sub-Committee decided to revoke the pub's licence after hearing evidence of breaches of licence conditions.

This week in Westminster:

• The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) was scheduled to meet on Thursday 09 January 2025, but was cancelled.
• The Planning Sub-Committee (1) met on Tuesday 07 January 2025 to discuss two planning applications, including plans to change the use of parts of Park House on Oxford Street.

Planning Sub-Committee (1) - Tuesday 07 January 2025

This meeting considered two planning applications relating to commercial properties: one appeal against the non-determination of an application for 10 Greycoat Place, and one application for a change of use for parts of Park House on Oxford Street.

Park House, 453 to 497, Oxford Street

The application for Park House, from Park House (Oxford St) Limited, was for permission to make the use of floorspace on the basement, ground and first floors more flexible. The application sought permission to allow the space to be used for a wider range of uses, including retail, leisure, medical, restaurant, and competitive socialising uses¹. The application also proposed a number of external alterations to the building, including new double-height shopfronts.

The report from officers recommended that the application be approved, subject to a number of conditions. One of these sought to ensure that the change of use did not reduce the amount of retail floorspace. Westminster's policy on this changed last year following the adoption of the City Plan in July 2024. Previously, the council sought to resist the loss of retail floorspace in areas like Oxford Street, but Policy 14 of the City Plan removed this requirement. However, the report notes that despite the change in policy, the council still seeks to retain retail floorspace where possible:

The introduction of such uses at ground floor level is contrary to City Plan Policy 14, it is acknowledged that some floorspace at ground floor level is required to gain access to the remainder of the site and to create a ground floor presence to ensure the viability of these uses.

Conditions relating to the hours of operation of any restaurant or competitive socialising use were also proposed in order to mitigate the risk of noise nuisance. The applicant had prepared a Noise Management Plan. Similar plans were a condition of the licence for the Punchbowl pub on Farm Street that was discussed at the Licensing Sub-Committee (2) meeting on 12 December 2024.

10 Greycoat Place

The meeting also considered an appeal that had been lodged with the Planning Inspectorate following Westminster City Council's non-determination of a planning application for 10 Greycoat Place. The application, from Victoria Spaces (UK) Ltd, was for the creation of a roof terrace for the use of office workers.

The report submitted by the Director of Town Planning & Building Control recommended that planning permission should be granted for the terrace, subject to a number of conditions. These conditions relate to the design and appearance of the terrace, the hours of use, and the management of noise.

The report notes that objections to the proposal were received from local residents and the Thorney Island Society, primarily on design and amenity grounds.

...the proximity of the terrace to Artillery Mansions means that residents are likely to notice the coming and goings of office workers and hear loud conversation.

Concerns were also expressed by Councillor David Harvey:

...on grounds the roof terrace will damage the residential amenity of neighbouring residents.

To mitigate the risk of noise nuisance, the applicant has prepared a Terrace Management Plan that sets out measures to control noise from the terrace.

This is a common feature of planning applications for roof terraces and other outside spaces.

This week in Westminster:

• The Cabinet met on Monday 16 December 2024, and included items on Safeguarding Adults, Housing, Fees and Charges, and the Council Tax Base and Discounts.
• The Strategic Planning Committee met on Tuesday 17 December 2024, but no transcript or minutes have been made available yet.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) met on Wednesday 18 December 2024, and was to consider an application for the expedited review of a licence for The Groucho Club.

Cabinet - Monday 16 December 2024

The Cabinet meeting on 16 December 2024 included a range of agenda items, several of which will be of particular interest to residents.

Housing

The Cabinet were asked to approve the purchase of five properties outside Westminster for use as temporary accommodation. The report to the Cabinet said this was necessary because of the increase in the number of families in housing need.

The levels of homelessness across the City have risen driving an acute demand for Temporary Accommodation across Westminster.

The report highlighted that the properties are not in Westminster. Some are within 30 minutes by bus of the City boundary, and opportunities in Greater London are being considered if necessary.

The report also asked the Cabinet to approve a new Housing Allocations Scheme. The new scheme, which will go live in February 2025, has been designed in response to feedback from residents and stakeholders. The council says it will be:

clearer, more open, and easier to navigate

It proposes new priority groups for residents with high housing needs and a new way of prioritising applicants using points and bands.

Safeguarding Adults

The Cabinet noted the Annual Report of the Safeguarding Adults Executive Board (SAEB) 2023/24. The SAEB is a multi-agency board that:

provides leadership of adult safeguarding across the Bi-Borough

The Bi-Borough is made up of Westminster Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. This kind of collaboration is common in London. For example, the same two boroughs share an NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).¹ The report says that the SAEB has been strengthening its relationships with service users through the Staying Safe Project. This involved residents from diverse communities and the SAEB’s Safeguarding Ambassadors, who are service users by experience.

The report also noted a small but significant rise in safeguarding referrals for domestic abuse in 2022-23.

Fees and Charges

The Cabinet considered a proposal to increase fees and charges across a range of services from January 2025. Most will rise in line with the current Consumer Prices Index (CPI) of 1.7%, but a number will rise by more.

The most significant increases are 7.3% for commercial waste, 26.35% for Building Control, 8% for cemeteries, and 60% for automatic public conveniences. The report notes that these above inflation increases are needed to:

ensure that charges remain in line with increases being experienced in the cost of delivering services.

The report does not give any more detail about which services are costing more to provide, or why.

Council Tax

The final item on the agenda was about the Council’s Council Tax Base, and the discounts and premiums that will apply to it in 2025/26. The Council Tax Base represents the number of Band D properties within the Council’s area.

The Cabinet considered whether to retain the current 0% discount for second homes and empty properties, and the continuation of the Long Term Empty Property Premium and the Second Home Premium.

Strategic Planning Committee - Tuesday 17 December 2024

No transcript or minutes were available at the time of writing.

Licensing Sub-Committee (1) - Wednesday 18 December 2024

The meeting was to consider an application for the expedited review of a licence for The Groucho Club, a private members' club at 44-45 Dean Street in Soho. The application was for an Expedited Review but the agenda did not say why.

The agenda front sheet said the Cumulative Impact Area for the application is N/A, and that the Special Consideration Zone for the application is N/A.

No transcript of the meeting was available at the time of writing.

This week in Westminster:

• The Rating Advisory Panel met on Tuesday 10 December 2024 to consider applications for hardship and discretionary relief from business rates.
• The Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 10 December 2024 has been postponed.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) met on Thursday 12 December 2024 to consider an application for a variation to the licence for the Punchbowl pub.
• The Pension Fund Committee met on Thursday 12 December 2024 to discuss the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Mansion House Speech and UNISON's motion on divestment from companies involved in breaches of international law in Palestine.
• The Inner West London Mental Health Services Reconfiguration Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 12 December 2024 to discuss the Decision-Making Business Case for acute mental health services in Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea.

Rating Advisory Panel - Tuesday 10 December 2024

This meeting was to discuss applications for discretionary relief from business rates. Discretionary relief allows councils to reduce the business rates of businesses that are struggling to pay.

This was the second time in as many weeks that the panel had met to discuss applications for hardship and discretionary relief. At its meeting on 05 November the panel considered 1,308 applications from businesses in Westminster that were struggling to pay their business rates. We don't know how many were considered at this meeting because the report doesn't say, but it did include a significant number of applications.

Licensing Sub-Committee (2) - Thursday 12 December 2024

Westminster Council's Licensing Sub-Committee (2) met on Thursday 12 December 2024 to consider an application for a variation to the licence for The Punchbowl pub at 41 Farm Street. The application, from Butcombe Brewery Limited, was to vary a number of conditions relating to the pub’s licence, including removing the requirement for door staff after 5pm, and allowing customers to take drinks outside after 8pm.

The application was opposed by 29 residents, residents associations and businesses, as well as the local ward Councillor. Objections related to noise and anti-social behaviour, with residents stating that they had been forced to contact Westminster Council's Noise Team and the police on numerous occasions. The application was also opposed by the Residents' Society of Mayfair and St James’s, who argued that the pub's frontage is too small to accommodate 18 people drinking outside. They said this would block the pavement and create a risk to public safety. The application was supported by one resident.

Westminster Council’s Environmental Health and City Inspector officers also objected to the variation.

The Sub-Committee will meet again to consider the application and make a decision. We will provide an update on the outcome of the meeting in our next email.

Pension Fund Committee - Thursday 12 December 2024

The Pension Fund Committee met to discuss a number of matters. The most significant topics for discussion were the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP's Mansion House Speech, which set out reforms to the Local Government Pension Scheme, and UNISON's motion on the fund's exposure to Israel.

The meeting also considered a number of reports about the performance of the fund, the administration of the fund, and a number of pension related projects.

The next meeting of the Pension Fund Committee is scheduled for 23 January 2025.

Inner West London Mental Health Services Reconfiguration Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 12 December 2024

The Committee met to discuss a report on the Decision-Making Business Case for Acute Mental Health Services in Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. This follows a public consultation on proposals to permanently change acute mental health services. This has been a long and complex process that has been running for some time, and has generated a lot of interest and concern, particularly from people who use mental health services, their carers and families, and the voluntary organisations that support them.

The key issue is the long-term future of the inpatient beds at the Gordon Hospital which were temporarily closed in 2020. The preferred option set out in the pre-consultation business case was to permanently close the inpatient beds at the Gordon and develop enhanced community services as an alternative.

The Committee will consider the Decision-Making Business Case and make recommendations.

This week in Westminster:

• The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) meeting on 04 December was cancelled.
• The Appointments Sub-Committee met on Friday 06 December, but no transcript is available yet.
• The North West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 05 December to discuss preparations for the winter of 2024/25, the NWL Health Equity Programme, and to receive an update from the Chief Executive of the NWL ICS.
• The Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 05 December and was scheduled to discuss the findings of a Housing Ombudsman report, the Ebury Bridge regeneration scheme, and the 300 Harrow Road regeneration scheme.
• The Budget Scrutiny Task Group met on Wednesday 04 December to discuss the council's capital spending plans for the next 15 years, including proposals for a number of new and existing schemes.
• The Young People, Learning and Employment Policy and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 03 December to discuss the committee's work programme, school place planning, the Children and Young People's Plan, the Youth Justice Partnership Plan, the Independent Reviewing Service, and the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership.
• The Planning Sub-Committee (1) met on Tuesday 03 December to consider planning applications for 58-70 Old Compton Street and Floral Street, and to decide whether to confirm a tree preservation order.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) met on Friday 06 December, but no transcript is available.
• The Appointments Sub-Committee met on Wednesday 04 December to discuss the appointment of a new Director of Clean Energy and Heat Networks.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) met on Thursday 05 December to consider an application for the review of a licence for Sunny Corner, a convenience store on Harrow Road, and an application for a new licence for Warwick Food Centre.

North West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 05 December 2024

This meeting was mostly about the NWL Integrated Care System’s (NWL ICS) preparations for the winter of 2024/25. The committee received a report on the NWL ICS's plans to mitigate the predicted increase in demand for health and care services. The meeting also included an update on the work of the NWL Health Equity Programme and a report from the Chief Executive of the NWL ICS.

Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 05 December 2024

This meeting included a discussion of a recent Housing Ombudsman report. The report was about the severe maladministration by the council when dealing with a resident's reports of leaks from the roof of their home. It's not the first time that the council has been criticised by the Housing Ombudsman. Our email of 07 September 2023 discussed another case where the Housing Ombudsman found that Westminster City Council had committed severe maladministration when it failed to properly investigate a resident's complaint about damp and mould in their home. In that case the Ombudsman ordered the Council to pay £4,750 to the resident.

Budget Scrutiny Task Group - Wednesday 04 December 2024

The Budget Scrutiny Task Group met to consider reports on the council's capital programme for the next 15 years, including proposed expenditure by the Housing Revenue Account. The Housing Revenue Account is the council's ringfenced budget for housing. This means that it can only be spent on housing services, such as building new council homes, and cannot be used to fund other council services.

The Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme includes the council's plans for major works to its existing housing stock, and plans for new developments.

Young People, Learning and Employment Policy and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 03 December 2024

This meeting was mostly about reviewing progress against a number of strategic plans. It included presentations about the Children and Young People's Plan 2023-2026, the Westminster Youth Justice Partnership Plan 2022-2025, and the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership report 2023-24.

The meeting also included an update on school place planning in Westminster. The report on this noted that there is currently a surplus of 21.5% in primary schools in Westminster, which is forecast to increase to 25% by 2025. The report goes on to explain that the surplus creates a sustainability challenge for smaller schools because funding is allocated on a per pupil basis.

The committee noted that 13 primary schools are currently in deficit as a result.

Planning Sub-Committee (1) - Tuesday 03 December 2024

The Planning Sub-Committee considered two applications: one for the redevelopment of a site on Old Compton Street, and one for the repainting of bollards on Floral Street. They also appear to have met in private to discuss a Tree Preservation Order.

The application for 58-70 Old Compton Street was for the Partial demolition, refurbishment and extension of the existing buildings including; creation of external terraces; new cycle parking and facilities, and associated works. The application was made by Gerald Eve, on behalf of Soho Estates Ltd.

The application for Floral Street was for advertisement consent to repaint 120 bollards in a graded rainbow colour for a temporary period of two years. The applicant, Shaftesbury Capital, argued that the repainting would help to reinvigorate Floral Street as a visitor destination, but the proposal was opposed by both the Covent Garden Community Association and the Covent Garden Area Trust.

Licensing Sub-Committee (3) - Thursday 05 December 2024

This meeting was to consider an application for the review of the licence for Sunny Corner, a convenience store on Harrow Road, and an application for a new licence for Warwick Food Centre.

This week in Westminster:

• The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) met on Tuesday 26 November 2024, but no transcript of the meeting is available.
• The Planning Sub-Committee (2) met on Tuesday 26 November 2024 to discuss a number of planning applications, including one from the BBC to modify the Section 106 agreement for Broadcasting House.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) met on Thursday 28 November 2024 and considered applications to vary the Premises Licences of the Radisson Edwardian, The Mayfair Hotel and the Phoenix pub.
• The Audit and Performance Committee met on Monday 25 November 2024 and was scheduled to discuss a range of matters including temporary accommodation, the council's finances and performance, complaints, fraud prevention and its work programme.
• The Vulnerable Adults, Health and Communities Policy and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 26 November 2024 and was scheduled to discuss the Changing Futures programme for vulnerable adults, the Safeguarding Adults Executive Board's annual report, and the Care Quality Commission's recent assessment of adult social care in Westminster.
• The Climate Action, Environment and Highways Policy and Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday 27 November 2024 and were scheduled to discuss the committee's work programme, the council's Recycling and Waste Strategy, and an update on the Public Convenience Modernisation Programme.
• The Appointments Sub-Committee met on Friday 29 November 2024, but no transcript is available.
• The Appointments Sub-Committee met on Thursday 28 November 2024, but no transcript is available.
• The Appointments Sub-Committee met on Wednesday 27 November 2024, but no transcript is available.
• The Standards Committee was scheduled to meet on Thursday 28 November 2024 to discuss a range of matters including the Member/Officer Protocol, complaints against Councillors, and its work programme. The Committee was also scheduled to receive questions from Councillors to put to the Leader of the Council on ethical standards in relation to Members.
• The General Purposes Urgency Sub-Committee met on Tuesday 26 November 2024 and, after interviewing three shortlisted candidates, recommended Janet Kealey for an Independent Person role.

Audit and Performance Committee - Monday 25 November 2024

This meeting was scheduled to discuss the council's finances and performance, its control framework and policies for tackling fraud. The committee was scheduled to receive a report on temporary accommodation, the council's annual complaints report, the accounts and audit findings reports for both the council and the pension fund, the external auditor's annual Value for Money report, the quarterly performance report, the quarterly finance monitor, the Treasury Management Strategy Mid-Year Review, the Internal Audit Progress report, the Mid-Year Counter Fraud report, and to review and approve three counter fraud policies: the Fraud Response Plan, the Anti-Bribery Policy and the Anti-Money Laundering Policy.

General Purposes Urgency Sub-Committee - Tuesday 26 November 2024

The meeting's only substantial item was an interview of candidates for an 'Independent Person' role, to advise the council on ethics complaints about Councillors. The committee recommended Janet Kealey for the role.

Planning Sub-Committee (2) - Tuesday 26 November 2024

The meeting was scheduled to discuss a number of planning applications. The report pack details the applications that were scheduled to be discussed, but no transcript of the meeting is available so it is not possible to know what was actually discussed, or what decisions, if any, were made.

Vulnerable Adults, Health and Communities Policy and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 26 November 2024

This meeting was to note reports on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment of Adult Social Care in Westminster, the annual report of the Safeguarding Adults Executive Board and the progress of the Changing Futures programme.

Climate Action, Environment and Highways Policy and Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday 27 November 2024

The Climate Action, Environment and Highways Policy and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 27 November 2024 was scheduled to discuss three key topics: the committee's work programme, the council's Recycling and Waste Strategy, and an update on the Public Convenience Modernisation Programme.

Standards Committee - Thursday 28 November 2024

This meeting was to discuss the Committee's work programme, a review of the Member/Officer Protocol, an annual update on complaints against Members and to receive questions to put to the Leader of the Council on ethical standards.

Licensing Sub-Committee (3) - Thursday 28 November 2024

This meeting was about making licensing decisions on applications for a variation to the premises licence of the Radisson Edwardian, The Mayfair Hotel, and the Phoenix pub. A number of objections from local residents and residents associations were registered against the Radisson Edwardian, The Mayfair Hotel application, and one from the Marylebone Association was made against the Phoenix application.

This week in Westminster:

• The Cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday 18 November 2024 was cancelled.
• The Budget Scrutiny Task Group met on Tuesday 19 November 2024 for the third in a series of meetings about the council's Medium Term Financial Plan.
• The Shareholder Committee met on Wednesday 20 November 2024 to discuss, amongst other things, the financial performance of Westminster Community Homes.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) met on Tuesday 19 November 2024 to consider representations from Heaven nightclub against the interim suspension of their licence.
• The Discretionary Housing Payments Review Advisory Panel met on Tuesday 19 November 2024 and reviewed two cases where applications for discretionary housing payments were refused.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) met on Thursday 21 November 2024 and was scheduled to consider applications for new and varied premises licences from three restaurants.

Budget Scrutiny Task Group - Tuesday 19 November 2024

The Budget Scrutiny Task Group meeting on 19 November 2024 was the third of a series of meetings about the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), which sets out the Council's spending plans for the next three years. The meeting covered the Autumn Budget, the Council's Fairer Westminster strategy, a background on the General Fund Budget, the updated budget position and budget reports for Children’s Services and Adult Social Care and Public Health.

The most significant item on the agenda was the updated budget position. The report pack states that the Council is facing a budget gap of £40.7m over the next three years. This is a significant reduction from the £54.8m budget gap that was reported to the Cabinet in July 2024.

The meeting also included a presentation on the key risks to the budget. The report notes that the Council is facing several key risks, including uncertainty over the level of funding it will receive from central government and the impact of inflation.

Shareholder Committee - Wednesday 20 November 2024

The Shareholder Committee met to consider the financial performance and operational activity of three Westminster City Council owned companies; Westminster Community Homes, Westminster Builds and Westco.

Westminster Community Homes

Westminster Community Homes is a registered provider of social housing. Councillors were asked to note the appointment of shareholders, the signing of the company's year end accounts, and to note and comment on its performance up to September 2024.

The most significant item in this part of the meeting was the company's financial performance. Its accounts showed a deficit of £1.795m for 2023-24, which it attributed to a number of factors including increased expenditure on service charges and building materials. The company’s accounts also showed that the average cost of repairs rose to £255 in 2023-24 from £157 in 2022-23, an increase that the company says was caused by a combination of increased demand and higher material costs.

The committee also heard about the progress of a number of the company’s housing projects. This included the MOT Yard development, a plan to build 36 new homes at 581-587 Harrow Road, which will be funded with a £3.6m loan from Westminster Council and a £4m grant from the Greater London Authority. The committee also received an update on the company's plans to acquire homes at Victoria Wharf, Church Street and the Ebury Bridge Estate.

The committee noted an audit by the Greater London Authority which gave the company an overall rating of “Good” for compliance, but which highlighted concerns about the company’s use of two properties as temporary accommodation for homeless families, in apparent contravention of the terms of a grant from the GLA.

Westminster Builds

Westminster Builds was set up by the council in 2018 to help increase the supply of affordable housing in the borough. It manages 101 homes let at intermediate rent which it has acquired from other developers, including 71 from the council itself.

The committee were asked to note the company’s accounts for the 2023-24 financial year, and a report on the first half of the 2024-25 financial year. These showed an operating profit of £0.437m for 2023-24 and a profit of £0.277m for the first six months of 2024-25.

The committee also noted the company’s work to improve its financial position, including a review of the role of one of its subsidiaries, Westminster Housing Developments Ltd in the delivery of the second phase of a development at Ebury Bridge. The company also plans to create a new for-profit registered provider of social housing in order to maximise its eligibility for grants.

Westco

Westco is a company wholly owned by Westminster City Council. The committee were asked to consider a report on its financial and operational performance in the first half of the 2024/25 financial year.

Licensing Sub-Committee (1) - Tuesday 19 November 2024

Westminster Council's Licensing Sub-Committee (1) met to consider representations from Heaven (10A The Arches, London) against an interim suspension of their licence that had been imposed at a previous meeting on 15 November 2024. The committee decided to uphold the interim suspension. The meeting was part of a summary review of the venue's licence that had been requested by the Metropolitan Police.

Discretionary Housing Payments Review Advisory Panel - Tuesday 19 November 2024

This meeting of the Discretionary Housing Payments Review Advisory Panel was scheduled to review two refused applications for Discretionary Housing Payments.

Licensing Sub-Committee (2) - Thursday 21 November 2024

This meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to discuss three applications for new premises licences in Westminster.

• The Pension Board met on Monday 11 November 2024 to discuss, amongst other things, the administration of the Pension Fund and its financial performance.
• The Planning Applications Sub-Committee (3) met on Tuesday 12 November 2024 to discuss two planning applications, one for 30 Grosvenor Square and the other for 31-33 Bedford Street.
• The Budget Scrutiny Task Group met on Tuesday 12 November 2024 to discuss the council's Medium Term Financial Plan, including the potential impacts of the recent Autumn Budget statement and proposals for new savings, investments and fees.
• The Council met on Wednesday 13 November 2024 and adopted a partial review of the Westminster City Plan, readopted the Statement of Principles for Gambling, and made some minor amendments to committee structures and membership.
• The Budget Scrutiny Task Group met again on Thursday 14 November 2024 to discuss the Environment & Communities and Regeneration, Economy and Planning directorates' proposed budgets for 2025/26.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (4) meeting scheduled for Thursday 14 November 2024 was cancelled.

Pension Board - Monday 11 November 2024

The Pension Board met on Monday 11 November 2024 to discuss a range of matters relating to the City of Westminster Pension Fund. The most significant items discussed related to the performance of the fund's investments and the administration of the fund.

The Board received a report on the performance of Hampshire Pension Services (HPS), who administer the Fund. The report noted that HPS completed all its monthly tasks within the agreed timescales, and that the use of the online members’ portal was increasing. The report also noted that a number of employers had failed the fund's data quality benchmark, and that seven employers may be fined as a result. Under the Pensions Administration Strategy (PAS), the Fund is entitled to fine an employer £1000 where data quality issues have existed for 3 years in a row. The Housing Ombudsman service improved their performance and moved from red to green, showing that it is possible to turn things around. The report pack also included a proposal to appoint a new provider of Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs).¹ The report says that the Fund’s current AVC provider AEGON does not offer a shared cost AVC arrangement, but notes that many other Local Government employers now offer such arrangements, which allow members and employers to make National Insurance savings. The report suggests that the Pension Board should appoint a new AVC provider to allow the Council to offer shared cost AVCs to its employees. The Board also received an update on the progress of the Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) project, which aims to ensure that members of the fund receive the correct pension benefits.

The report pack notes that the GMP project is complex, and that there have already been several queries from scheme members, three of which have been dealt with under the Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP).² The report also notes that the manual cases under the GMP project are expected to be reviewed in November 2024. These cases relate to 241 members who were removed from the bulk GMP rectification process undertaken by the Fund in 2023 because their cases are more complex and require more detailed scrutiny. The report also says that the Pension Website Project has been delayed, due to a lack of resource. The project is now expected to be completed by 31 March 2025. This is the third time the project has been delayed. Previous delays were discussed in our emails of 19 July 2024 and 17 August 2024.

The Board was also updated on the Fund's top 5 financial risks. These risks remain unchanged since the last meeting because global investment markets remain volatile due to the war in Ukraine and the recent conflict between Israel and Gaza, and now also because of the continuing uncertainty around the UK's departure from the European Union. It also notes that the implementation of recommendations from the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) have been delayed following the election of a new government in July 2024.

The Board received the Westminster Pension Fund Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024. The report noted that there were no significant findings in the Audit Findings Report.

Planning Applications Sub-Committee (3) - Tuesday 12 November 2024

The meeting considered two planning applications: one for 31-33 Bedford Street and one for 30 Grosvenor Square.

30 Grosvenor Square, London

The application for 30 Grosvenor Square, a Grade II listed building in the Mayfair Conservation Area, was for a variation of conditions on two previous planning permissions. The first was to clarify and amend the rules around the use of outdoor seating associated with several ground floor units. The applicant requested permission for a small extension of the seating area by the main entrance, and permission to allow some items of furniture, like folded banquettes and serveries, to be left outside overnight.

The second application was for permission to install planters around the outside seating areas, to mark the boundary between the seating areas and the public realm.

31-33 Bedford Street, London

This application was for the change of use of the front part of the ground floor of a building from a restaurant (Class E) to a hotel cafe and reception (Class C1) and the reconfiguration of the rear part of the ground floor to create seven additional hotel bedrooms. The building lies within the Covent Garden Conservation Area, Central Activities Zone (CAZ)³ and West End Retail and Leisure Special Policy Area (WERLSPA).

Budget Scrutiny Task Group - Tuesday 12 November 2024

The Budget Scrutiny Task Group met to scrutinise the council's Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and the budget for each of the council's service areas in light of the Autumn Budget.

Budget Scrutiny Task Group - Thursday 14 November 2024

The Budget Scrutiny Task Group met again on Thursday 14 November to discuss the Environment & Communities and Regeneration, Economy and Planning directorates' proposed budgets for 2025/26.

Council - Wednesday 13 November 2024

The Council meeting on 13 November saw the adoption of a partial review of the Westminster City Plan, the readoption of the Statement of Principles for Gambling, and some minor amendments to committee structures and membership.

The most significant item discussed at this meeting was the City Plan partial review. The main points of the partial review are the promotion of flat social rent, the promotion of a new policy of ‘retrofit first’ and four new site allocations to support the intensification of development at Pimlico Embankment, St Mary's Hospital, the Westbourne Park Bus Garage and Sublime.³

Licensing Sub-Committee (4) - Thursday 14 November 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee (4) meeting scheduled for Thursday 14 November 2024 was cancelled.

• The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) met on Thursday 07 November 2024 to discuss an application to review the licence of The Globe pub.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) met on Wednesday 06 November 2024 to consider an application to remove conditions relating to children and gaming from the licence of a restaurant.
• The Rating Advisory Panel met on Tuesday 05 November 2024 to consider whether to provide hardship and discretionary relief from Non-Domestic Rates for businesses in Westminster.

Licensing Sub-Committee (2) - Thursday 07 November 2024

This meeting was about the consideration of an application to review the Premises Licence of The Globe pub in Marylebone. The application was made by a local resident, Michael Zelouf, on the grounds that the pub was causing a public nuisance. There were also representations from the Environmental Health Service, the licence holder, and a number of interested parties. The meeting papers describe a history of complaints about The Globe and detail what steps the licence holder was taking to mitigate public nuisance.

Unfortunately, no transcript of this meeting is available, so it is not possible to say what was discussed or decided.

Licensing Sub-Committee (3) - Wednesday 06 November 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) was scheduled to consider an application to vary the premises licence for the Basement Floor and Ground Floor of Byron House, 7-9 St James's Street, London. The application was submitted by Strongarm Dining Lease Co Ltd.

No transcript for this meeting was available.

Rating Advisory Panel - Tuesday 05 November 2024

This meeting was to consider whether to provide hardship and discretionary relief from Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) for businesses in Westminster. NDR is a tax on businesses that is calculated based on the rental value of the property the business occupies.

Councils have a duty under the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to levy NDR. The money raised from NDR is used to fund local services, such as schools, social care, and rubbish collection.

Some businesses are eligible for mandatory relief from NDR, such as charities and businesses that occupy small properties. Other businesses may be eligible for discretionary relief, which is awarded at the discretion of the local council.

Westminster City Council has a policy of providing support for businesses in Westminster through the award of Discretionary Rate Relief. The council's policy is to award relief to businesses that are facing hardship, such as those that are struggling to pay their bills or that have seen a significant drop in income.

The meeting considered 1,308 applications for hardship and discretionary relief from businesses in Westminster that were struggling to pay their business rates. The report pack included applications from businesses including Pret a Manger, Five Guys and Nando's.

No transcript for this meeting was available.

This week in Westminster:

• The Planning Applications Sub-Committee (1) met on Tuesday 29 October 2024 but no transcript of the meeting is available yet.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (4) met on Thursday 31 October 2024 to consider applications for new and varied premises licences.
• The Planning Applications Sub-Committee (1) met on Tuesday 29 October 2024 to consider planning applications.

Licensing Sub-Committee (4) - Thursday 31 October 2024

This meeting was about applications for new premises licences, and a variation to an existing premises licence. Three applications for new licences were for restaurants and the other was for a wine bar and shop. The variation application was for a rooftop bar, and included a request for permission to have live and recorded music indoors.

Radio at the ME Hotel (10th Floor), Marconi House, 335 Strand, WC2R 1HA

This application was for a variation to the existing licence for Radio at the ME Hotel.

Upmarket Leisure Limited requested permission to vary the layout of the premises, to remove five conditions that apply to the terrace areas, and replace them with seven new conditions. The requested new conditions include closing the doors to parts of the terrace after 22:30, not allowing music to be played on the terrace after 22:30, and limiting the number of customers in parts of the terrace after 22:30 to 60.

The applicant also requested permission to provide live and recorded music indoors between 08:00 and 02:00.

The application requested the removal of the condition requiring waiter or waitress service, and a change to the condition relating to SIA door supervisors. The applicant requested that they only be required to provide door supervisors based on a risk assessment with a proposed ratio of at least 1 door supervisor per 75 guests.

They also requested the removal of conditions regarding bottled beers, litter outside the building, and the addition of a condition requiring staff to complete Welfare And Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training.

One interested party objected to the removal of the condition relating to litter outside the building. Environmental Health requested the addition of a condition requiring the cessation of licensable activities during building works, and withdrew their representation when the applicant agreed to the condition.

Domu Restaurant, 14-18 Brompton Road, London, SW1X 7QN

This application was for a new premises licence for a restaurant. The applicant requested permission to sell alcohol for consumption on and off the premises between 12:00 and 23:00 Sunday to Thursday, and between 12:00 and 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Le Caprice, American Embassy, 24-31 Grosvenor Square, London, W1K 6AH

Caprice Holdings Limited requested a new premises licence for a restaurant in the Chancery Rosewood Hotel. They requested permission to provide late night refreshment between 23:00 and 00:00 every night, and to sell alcohol for consumption on and off the premises between 09:00 and 00:00 every day. Two interested parties objected to the application on the grounds of public nuisance.

An acoustic report, LE CAPRICE, ROSEWOOD HOTEL, GROSVENOR SQUARE, LONDON Acoustic Assessment Report, prepared by RBA Acoustics for Caprice Holdings Limited was included in the report pack. The report concluded that the new premises would not have a detrimental impact on noise levels experienced by residents:

In summary, our report suggests that the new premises will not have a detrimental noise impact on the nearby residential properties.

10 Clifton Road, London, W9 1SS

Krasion Ltd requested a new premises licence for a wine bar and shop called Tannin and Oak. The applicant proposed to sell alcohol on and off the premises from 10:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday, and from 12:00 to 22:00 on Sunday.

This application attracted objections from the Paddington Waterways and Maida Vale Society, and from three individuals. Objections were made on the grounds that the proposal would cause public nuisance, particularly due to the proposed use of the rear garden, and that it would increase anti-social behaviour.

Planning Applications Sub-Committee (1) - Tuesday 29 October 2024

This meeting was about whether to confirm a tree preservation order and about making decisions on planning and advertising applications. The most significant item was the application to demolish a building and replace it with 3 homes. Other significant items included the application to use a whole building as an embassy and the application for a transparent LED advertising screen in Leicester Square.

42-43 Chagford Street, London

The committee considered an application for the demolition of the existing building at 42-43 Chagford Street and its replacement with 3, four-storey houses with basements. The new homes are each scheduled to have air source heat pumps.

The existing building at the site is four-storeys tall and has a basement. The site is located within the Dorset Square Conservation Area. It has been the subject of a number of previous planning permissions for its redevelopment with 2 homes, all of which have expired without being implemented.

The applicant, Mark Fairhurst (Architects) Limited, attended the meeting to argue in support of the proposal. A number of objections were heard by the committee. The St Marylebone Society objected on the grounds of the proposal's sustainability, design, and impact on residents' amenity. A number of neighbours to the site also objected on the grounds of the proposal's potential impact on their privacy, light levels, noise, and the integrity of their properties.

A number of the objectors argued that the proposal was contrary to the council's environmental policies. The report prepared for the meeting states that the applicant had assessed a number of options for making the scheme more sustainable, including through retrofitting, in order to reduce the development's whole life carbon impact.

The report for the meeting summarises the applicant's argument that:

Due to the high amount of new steelwork required to replace the existing columns, and new beams to suit the proposed layouts, the embodied carbon of the structure is relatively high compared to the full demolition and new build.

The report concludes that:

Despite the demolition of the existing structure is still considered regrettable, option 2) “Full demolition and new-build timber structure” represents a compromise as the difference between this option and option 3) “Full retention and retrofit of the existing structure” is 1.5%. Considering that the Applicant is also targeting better than GLA standards in terms of diversion from landfill and the reuse for this type of non-major scheme, it is deemed acceptable to approve this Application in terms of Sustainability as it shows compliance with Policy 36, and 38 of the City Plan.

The report for the meeting recommended the committee grant permission subject to a number of conditions relating to sustainability and amenity, including conditions requiring compliance with the council's Code of Construction Practice,¹ a site waste management plan, and a contaminated land remediation strategy, all of which need to be approved by the council.

11 Little College Street, London

The committee considered an application from the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste for the use of 11 Little College Street as an embassy. The building at the site is currently a Grade II listed single family dwellinghouse within the Smith Square Conservation Area. It is situated in Flood Zone 3. One neighbour to the site objected on the grounds of the proposal's impact on the character of the area and its potential to create parking pressures. The Thorney Island Society also objected on the grounds of the loss of housing, its potential to create parking pressures, and its potential to worsen the amenity of the area. The report for the meeting summarises the arguments made for and against the proposal, including the council's previous statements on the importance of diplomatic missions in its City Plan.

The report also refers to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. It states that:

... a condition to ensure the permission is personal to the applicant is recommended which would ensure that the use of the property must revert to a single family dwellinghouse when the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the United Kingdom vacate the premises.

The report for the meeting recommends that permission be granted subject to conditions relating to amenity, waste storage, cycle parking, and the personal nature of the permission.

This week in Westminster:

• The Audit and Performance Committee met on Tuesday 22 October 2024 but no transcript of the meeting was available.
• The General Purposes committee met on Wednesday 23 October 2024 and were scheduled to discuss a proposed compensation payment to a tenant, the future of the council's planning committees, and the programme of meetings for 2025/26.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) met on Thursday 24 October 2024 and was scheduled to consider applications for new and varied premises licences from Kebhouze on Oxford Street, Daylesford Organic on Pimlico Road and Kasa Cafe on New Cavendish Street.
• The Planning & City Development Committee met on Thursday 24 October 2024, to receive updates on the City Plan Partial Review, recent changes to planning legislation, the Design Review Panel, and member training.
• The North West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 22 October 2024 but no transcript of the meeting was available.
• The Cabinet met on Monday 21 October 2024 and were scheduled to approve funding allocations from the Neighbourhood portion of the Community Infrastructure Levy for the redevelopment of playgrounds and the provision of outdoor gyms.

General Purposes - Wednesday 23 October 2024

The General Purposes committee met on Wednesday 23 October 2024 and were scheduled to discuss a proposed compensation payment to a tenant, the future of the council's planning committees, and the programme of meetings for 2025/26.

Licensing Sub-Committee (2) - Thursday 24 October 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) meeting was scheduled to discuss three applications for new and varied Premises Licences under the Licensing Act 2003. The applications to be considered were for Kasa Cafe on New Cavendish Street, Daylesford Organic on Pimlico Road and Kebhouze on Oxford Street. Representations had been made by other persons and responsible authorities on all three applications.

Planning & City Development Committee - Thursday 24 October 2024

The Planning & City Development Committee meeting on 24 October 2024 included an update on the council's planning performance, a discussion of recent changes to national planning legislation, an update on the progress of the partial review of the City Plan, and an update on training for committee members.

Cabinet - Monday 21 October 2024

The Cabinet met on 21 October 2024 and were scheduled to approve funding allocations from the Neighbourhood portion of the Community Infrastructure Levy for the redevelopment of playgrounds at the King Solomon Academy and the provision of new Outdoor Gyms and the redevelopment of Multi Use Games Areas (MUGAs). They were also scheduled to approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

This week in Westminster:

• The Pension Fund Committee met on Thursday 17 October 2024 to discuss, amongst other things, whether to rebalance the fund’s assets following recent falls in equity markets.
• The Vulnerable Adults, Health and Communities Policy and Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 17 October 2024 and were scheduled to discuss the Community Hubs Programme, development of primary care access, and their work programme.
• The Discretionary Housing Payments Review Advisory Panel met on Tuesday 15 October 2024 and reviewed three cases where applications for discretionary housing payments were refused.
• The Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee met on Tuesday 15 October 2024 to discuss three major applications, including plans for the redevelopment of the former Belgravia Police Station and a variation of conditions on the planning permission for the West One Shopping Centre.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) met on Thursday 17 October 2024 to discuss one request to vary an existing licence and two requests for new licences for the sale of alcohol.

Pension Fund Committee - Thursday 17 October 2024

This meeting was scheduled to include discussions about the Pension Fund’s investments, performance, governance, and risk management.

Vulnerable Adults, Health and Communities Policy and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 17 October 2024

This meeting was scheduled to cover three main areas: the Community Hubs Programme, development of primary care access and integrated neighbourhood teams in Westminster, and the committee's work programme for 2024-25.

Discretionary Housing Payments Review Advisory Panel - Tuesday 15 October 2024

The meeting was scheduled to include a closed session in which the panel were to review three cases in which applications for Discretionary Housing Payments had been refused.

Discretionary Housing Payments are payments that can be made by local authorities to people who are struggling to pay their rent. They are usually paid to people who are receiving Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit but who need extra help to meet their housing costs.

Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee - Tuesday 15 October 2024

The meeting was scheduled to consider three major planning applications. The first application was for the redevelopment of the former Belgravia Police Station on Buckingham Palace Road to create a new hotel. The second application was for the partial demolition, refurbishment and extension of an existing building on Victoria Street to create a new hotel. The final application was for the variation of conditions attached to the planning permission granted in 2024 for the redevelopment of the West One Shopping Centre.

Licensing Sub-Committee (3) - Thursday 17 October 2024

This meeting was to discuss one request to vary an existing licence and two requests for new licences for the sale of alcohol.

Last week in Westminster:

• The Licensing Sub-Committee (4) met on Thursday 03 October 2024 to discuss two applications for licensed premises: one from Radio at the ME Hotel at 335 Strand to vary its licence, and another from Hirmiz Ltd for a new licence for 21 Lansdowne Row.
• The Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 30 September 2024 to discuss the effectiveness of the Additional HMO Licensing Scheme, the council's work to support vulnerable residents and victims of domestic abuse, and its work programme.
• The Planning Applications Sub-Committee (2) met on Tuesday 01 October 2024, but no transcript of the meeting is available yet.
• The Young People, Learning and Employment Policy and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 01 October 2024, but no transcript of the meeting is available yet.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (6) met on Wednesday 02 October 2024 to discuss applications for new and varied premises licences, including an application to renew the sexual entertainment venue licence for The Windmill Theatre.
• The Appointments Sub-Committee met on Friday 04 October 2024 to discuss the appointment of a new Director of Policy and Projects.

Licensing Sub-Committee (4) - Thursday 03 October 2024

This meeting considered two applications, one for a variation of an existing premises licence and one for a new premises licence.

Radio at the ME Hotel, 335 Strand

The Sub-Committee considered an application from Radio at the ME Hotel at 335 Strand to vary its premises licence. The variation sought to remove a number of conditions from the licence and amend one other. The application does not explain why the applicant wants to vary the licence, but the conditions they want to vary all relate to the operation of the 10th floor of the hotel. For example, one of the conditions to be removed states:

After 22:30 hours there shall be no more than 60 patrons permitted on the south terrace.

The conditions attached to premises licences, like this one, exist to promote the four licensing objectives, which are:

• the prevention of crime and disorder,
• public safety,
• the prevention of public nuisance, and
• the protection of children from harm.

The applicant's request to remove several conditions from their licence echoes a similar application made by Mayfair Rebirth Ltd for their premises Mano Mayfair, discussed in our email of 24 August 2024, where the applicant also sought to remove several conditions from their licence, including a number related to the provision of late night refreshment. This was opposed by local residents who felt that the variation would lead to an increase in public nuisance.

The documents for the Radio at the ME Hotel application include representations from the Police and Environmental Health, both of which express concern that the removal of the conditions from the licence may undermine the licensing objectives. For example, in his representation, Mark Liptrott, a Senior Environmental Health Officer, says:

I am concerned that the removal of these conditions will result in an increase in noise disturbance to nearby residents, especially from patrons using the terrace areas.

The representation from the Metropolitan Police is redacted. In his representation, PC Adam Deweltz says:

The Metropolitan Police are objecting to the application to vary the Premises Licence in respect of the premises known as [Redacted]

He goes on to argue that:

The applicant has failed to demonstrate in their application how the variation to the licence will uphold the licensing objectives.

The report pack does not describe what was discussed at the meeting, or what decision was made.

21 Lansdowne Row

The Sub-Committee also considered an application for a new premises licence for 21 Lansdowne Row from Hirmiz Ltd.

This application attracted several objections from local residents, the Metropolitan Police and the Environmental Health Service. This is similar to the application from Shawarma N More Limited discussed in our email of 30 August 2024, where the applicant also sought to extend their hours despite objections from residents, the Police and Environmental Health.

In their application, Hirmiz Ltd requested permission for:

• Late Night Refreshment indoors Monday to Thursday from 23:00 – 23:30, and Friday to Saturday from 23:00 – 00:00 hours
• The sale of alcohol on and off the premises Monday – Thursday 10:00 – 23:30 hours, Friday – Saturday 10:00 – 00:00 hours, and Sunday 12:00 – 22:30 hours

In his objection, PC Adam Deweltz of the Metropolitan Police said:

The Police have concerns that a new premises, which provides Alcohol and Late-Night Refreshment will adversely impact the area.

He went on to argue that the premises could lead to increased crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

Two objections from other persons were also received. The report pack names the authors of the objections, but does not name their businesses. For data protection reasons, we have chosen not to name them here. One of the objectors wrote:

This is affecting my business [Redacted] directly due to them serving alcohol illegally to members of the public being underage or individuals already being intoxicated when they arrive there

The report pack does not record any response from Hirmiz Ltd to these objections, and it does not describe the discussions that took place at the meeting.

Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee - Monday 30 September 2024

This meeting was scheduled to discuss the effectiveness of the Additional HMO Licensing Scheme, the council's work to support vulnerable residents and victims of domestic abuse, and its work programme. It is important to note that this summary only describes the information that was provided in the report pack for the meeting attendees, and does not contain any information about what was actually said during the meeting, or what decisions were made.

Houses in Multiple Occupation Licensing

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report (HMO and Selective Property Licensing Final Paper) that provided an update on the Additional HMO Licensing scheme in Westminster. The report reviewed the effectiveness of the scheme three years on from its implementation and evaluated the challenges that have emerged. It also scrutinised the outcome of the Selective Property Licensing feasibility study that the council commissioned, reviewed the extent of the proposed scheme and considered proposals for public consultation.

The report pack states that:

Licensing has the capacity to improve housing conditions and management. It aids in protecting the welfare of tenants, provides confidence in the private rented sector and puts clear standards in place. It is more conducive to good landlords and provides an environment which is less opportunistic and attractive for irresponsible and criminal landlords.

Councils have powers under the Housing Act 2004 to introduce licensing schemes for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). HMOs are properties that are occupied by more than one household¹ who share facilities like bathrooms and kitchens. These schemes aim to improve standards in the private rented sector, to ensure the safety and well-being of tenants, and to tackle rogue landlords. Landlords who rent out unlicensed HMOs can be prosecuted, and may be required to repay rent to tenants.

Vulnerability and Domestic Abuse Work

The committee was also scheduled to receive a report (Domestic Violence and Vulnerability Work in Housing HR Report) on how the council's Housing Services work to support vulnerable residents and victims of domestic abuse.

The report describes the Housing Ombudsman's findings of severe maladministration in several cases relating to the council's handling of damp and mould. The Housing Ombudsman is an independent body that investigates complaints about housing services provided by councils and other social landlords. It makes recommendations to landlords on how to put things right and improve their services. In 2022/23, the Housing Ombudsman found maladministration in 82% of cases investigated. This means that the landlord had failed to comply with the law, had provided a poor service, or had acted unfairly or unreasonably. Where the Housing Ombudsman finds severe maladministration, this means that the landlord’s actions or omissions have had a serious impact on the resident.

The Housing Ombudsman can make recommendations to landlords, but it does not have the power to force them to comply with its recommendations. However, landlords are required to publish details of complaints they have received from the Housing Ombudsman. In addition, the Regulator of Social Housing can take action against landlords who fail to comply with the Housing Ombudsman’s recommendations.

The report describes a programme of work that was launched to improve how the service works with vulnerable people, including the introduction of a new Vulnerable Residents and Reasonable Adjustment policy (Appendix A Vulnerable Residents and Reasonable Adjustments Policy). It also describes the work Housing Services have been doing to support victims of domestic abuse, including working with the police and other agencies to provide safe accommodation for victims of domestic abuse, and providing support and advice to victims of domestic abuse.

Work Programme

The committee reviewed and approved the work programme (HR Work Programme Report 30.09.24) for forthcoming meetings. The committee also reviewed the Committee Tracker, which sets out the recommendations, information requests and actions arising from previous meetings, and how the council has responded to them. The Committee Tracker helps to ensure that the council is held to account for its decisions and that it is making progress on the issues that are important to residents.

Licensing Sub-Committee (6) - Wednesday 02 October 2024

This meeting discussed two applications for new premises licences, an application for a 'shadow licence', and an application for a new Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) Licence.

Appointments Sub-Committee - Friday 04 October 2024

This meeting was scheduled to discuss the appointment of a new Director of Policy and Projects, a role that became vacant in August 2024.

The report included for discussion was prepared by Stuart Love, the Chief Executive of Westminster Council. Mr Love has been Chief Executive of Westminster City Council since 2016. He is also the council’s electoral registration officer and returning officer.

The sub-committee were scheduled to interview six shortlisted candidates. Shortlisting is a process used to reduce the number of applicants for a job to a manageable number for interview. This is usually done by comparing the applications against the essential and desirable criteria for the job, and inviting those who most closely meet the criteria for interview.

This week in Westminster:

• The Health & Wellbeing Board met on Thursday 26 September 2024, but no transcript was available.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) met on Thursday 26 September 2024, but no transcript of the meeting is available yet.
• The Rating Advisory Panel met on Tuesday 24 September 2024 to discuss a number of applications for Non-Domestic Rates relief.
• The Licensing Committee met on Wednesday 25 September 2024 to discuss updates on licensing appeals, pavement licence fees, and the Council's Gambling Policy.

Licensing Committee - Wednesday 25 September 2024

The Licensing Committee of Westminster City Council met on 25 September 2024. The meeting was scheduled to include updates on the appeals against several recent licensing decisions as well as a review of the fees being charged for Pavement Licences. The committee was also scheduled to review a report on the public consultation on the Council's Gambling Policy.

Update on Licensing Appeals

The agenda included a report (3. Appeals report September 2024 Licensing Committee final) prepared for the benefit of the committee which provided an update on appeals against a number of licensing decisions.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to license certain types of businesses and activities. In Westminster, this duty is carried out by the Licensing Service. Residents and businesses can make representations to the Licensing Service objecting to licence applications or requesting that conditions be placed on licences. They can also appeal against decisions made by the Licensing Service. If a licence holder feels that the Licensing Service’s decision was wrong, they can appeal to the Magistrates’ Court. Anyone else who is unhappy with the Licensing Service’s decision (e.g. a local resident) can appeal to the Magistrates’ Court. Decisions by Magistrates’ Courts can, in turn, be appealed to a higher court.

The report provided an update on the following appeals:

• MacDonalds, 178-180 Edgware Road - The appeal against the decision to restrict the hours during which Macdonald's could provide late night refreshment had been settled. The appellant agreed to pay the Council's costs of £15,000. This is reminiscent of the application from Global Partners Bd Limited considered in the Licensing Sub-Committee (4) meeting on 08 August 2024, where the applicant also requested to extend the hours during which they could provide late night refreshment.
• Park Street Hotel, 14 Park Street - The appeal, lodged by Park Street Management Co Ltd, was made on the grounds that the original application undermined the licensing objectives. The appeal is scheduled to be heard on 17-19 December 2024.
• Vanity Bar and Night Club at 4 Carlisle Street - The appeal against the refusal to renew the Sexual Entertainment Venue Licence had been dismissed. The operator had appealed to the Crown Court and the Council had applied for costs in the Magistrates Court. The appeal is scheduled to be heard on 26-28 February 2025.
• Greater London Authority (GLA) - Victoria Embankment - The appeal against the refusal of a premises licence to host a fanzone with a capacity of 29,000 people in Victoria Embankment Gardens had been settled. The GLA had agreed to reduce the capacity of the fanzone to 13,600, restrict it to the area around Victoria Embankment Gardens, and to accept a number of conditions. The GLA also agreed to pay the Council's costs of £39,085.
• Greater London Authority (GLA) - Trafalgar Square - The GLA appealed against three of the conditions attached to the licence it was granted to operate a fanzone in Trafalgar Square.
• Sunset Strip, 30 Dean Street - Sohomead Ltd appealed against the decision to revoke the Sexual Entertainment Venue (SEV) licence and Premises Licence. The appeal is scheduled to be heard on 25 September 2024.
• Basement and Ground Floor, 13 Meard Street - The Soho Society, an amenity society%20are,are%20often%20involved%20in%20planning.), appealed against the decision to grant a new premises licence to Pontstreet9 Limited. The grounds for the appeal were procedural unfairness. The appeal hearing is scheduled for 30 October 2024.
• 14-22 Ganton Street - The Premises Licence Holder appealed against one of the conditions attached to a shadow licence. The appeal hearing is scheduled for 2 October 2024.

The Committee was also scheduled to receive an update on the following legal cases:

• Hemming and others v Westminster City Council - A Judicial Review had been brought by Mr Hemming and others against the Council over the fees charged by Westminster City Council for sex shop licences. The claim was settled with the claimants agreeing to pay sums totalling £796,892.
• Global Radio and others v Westminster City Council - Global Radio brought a prosecution against the Council under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 alleging that the Council was failing to take action to abate a statutory nuisance caused by buskers in Leicester Square. The trial is scheduled for 15-17 January 2025.
• Mr Andrabi - The Council issued a prosecution against Mr Andrabi for supplying late night refreshment without a licence from French Tacos at 414 Harrow Road. Mr Andrabi contended that he did not need a licence because hot food and drink was supplied by a third party delivery company/agent. A judgement on this point of law is expected on 24 October 2024.

Pavement Licences

The Committee was scheduled to discuss whether to ratify a decision made at its meeting on 25 April 2024 by the Licensing (Urgency) Committee (Minutes - 25 April 2024) to set the fee for Pavement Licences at the statutory maximum. This would mean new applications cost £500, with renewals costing £350.

The agenda included a report (1. Pavement Licences Sept 2024 AXR FINAL) which argued that the fully on costed, hourly rate of a licensing officer is approx. £100, therefore setting the Renewal fee at £350 and the fee for new grants at £500 would allow the council to recover the cost for processing these applications however, it will still not allow the recovery of the cost of inspecting, monitoring and enforcing the pavement licensing regime.

The report went on to say that:

Assuming the number of pavement licences remain consistent, with the licence fee set at the maximum, the future income forecast for the next financial year would be £770,000 for renewals plus however many new applications are received. In addition to that, there are currently over 200 old tables and chairs licences under the City of Westminster Act. If they wish to renew, they will be required to apply for a pavement licence. This could be represent a further £140,000 income annually.

The Committee was also asked to determine the length of time for which Pavement Licences should be granted. The report noted that the Levelling Up & Regeneration Act 2023 allows licenses to be granted for up to two years, but that since 2020 the Licensing Service has been issuing licences for a maximum of six months. The report recommended that:

Continue to grant pavement licences for a period of 6 months as a benchmark but acknowledging that the applicant can apply for a longer period which will be determined on its own merits.

Among the reasons given for this recommendation are that it allows the City Council to respond to the dynamic and evolving use of spaces and place-shaping around the city, and to respond to noise and ASB associated with the licence.

Statement of Gambling Principles (Gambling Policy) Review 2024

The Committee was scheduled to receive a report (2. LSC Report on Consultation following gambling policy review 2024 KS V2 FINAL) on the public consultation on the Council's Statement of Gambling Principles for 2024.

The Gambling Act 2005 requires that Westminster City Council, in its capacity as the Licensing Authority, must produce a statement of principles, commonly referred to as its Gambling Policy, which sets out the Licensing Authority’s approach to exercising its functions under the 2005 Act. The Act states that this policy should be reviewed every three years.

The report noted that:

After reviewing the Gambling Policy, officers consider that there is no need to make any revisions to it.

This was because:

there have been no changes in legislation, Local Authority Guidance, or the Gambling Commission's Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) and no issues or omissions have been identified that would require a revision to the current version of the policy.

Having considered the responses to the consultation, the report recommended that the existing policy be renewed.

Licensing Sub-Committee (3) - Thursday 26 September 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) was scheduled to consider two applications for new premises licences. One application was for a restaurant on 92-93 Berwick Street, and the other for an events space on 48 Regent Street.

92-93 Berwick Street

The most significant item scheduled to be discussed was an application for a new premises licence by Breadstall Pizza Ltd for 92-93 Berwick Street. This is in the West End Cumulative Impact Zone,¹ meaning there is a presumption against granting new licences for certain types of premises because of the density of licensed premises in the area.

The applicant intended to open a restaurant with 72 covers, with both on and off sales of alcohol. The application requested permission for the following:

• Sale of alcohol (on and off the premises):
  • Monday-Thursday: 09:00-23:30
  • Friday-Saturday: 09:00-00:00
  • Sunday: 09:00-22:30
• Late Night Refreshment:
  • Monday-Thursday: 23:00-23:30
  • Friday-Saturday: 23:00-00:00

The application included 25 proposed conditions. The applicant, Breadstall Pizza Ltd, further clarified the nature of their proposal, the hours requested and the conditions offered in a letter to the committee. They stated that:

This application for a new premises licence has been prepared in line with Westminster's Licensing Policy, taking into account all relevant policies.

Eight representations objecting to the application were received from local residents, and one from the Soho Society, a residents group that campaigns for the protection of Soho. The main concerns were that the new licence would:

• Exacerbate existing problems with noise and anti-social behaviour, particularly on the residential sections of Berwick Street and the surrounding streets, such as Hopkins Street.
• Increase crime, as drunk people are more likely to be victims of crime.
• Lead to an increase in sexual harassment of women.

The Soho Society's representation noted that the area has a high concentration of licensed premises and that the infrastructure cannot cope with the number of people in the area at night. They pointed out that:

The Cumulative Impact Assessment 2023 provides the evidence that increasing the number of licensed premises or the extension of current licences in the West End is a huge concern, the modelling shows a 50% increase in undesirable behaviours from any NEW OR EXTENDED licence.

One resident, whose name was redacted from the documents, stated in their representation that:

Berwick Street is quiet and we get people urinating directly outside the building in full view of residents from out windows. The building is mainly comprised of families.

One representation was received from Shaftesbury Capital, a real estate investment trust that owns the premises, supporting the application. They stated that they had:

carefully vetted the applicant company and decided to enter a lease primarily because of the applicant's professionalism and proven track record.

Two representations, one from the Licensing Authority and the other from the Metropolitan Police Service, raised concerns about the application but were later withdrawn following discussions with the applicant. The Metropolitan Police initially objected to the application on the grounds that it would undermine the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder. They withdrew their objection after the applicant agreed to a number of conditions, including:

• No drinks or glass containers to be taken outside the premises, except in authorised external seating areas.
• All outside tables and chairs to be rendered unusable by 22:00 each day.
• All sales of alcohol for consumption off the premises to be in sealed containers and only supplied with a takeaway meal or for delivery to a bona fide address.
• Delivery drivers not to congregate in the immediate vicinity of the premises.

The Licensing Authority's representation focused on the impact of the application on the licensing objectives of public nuisance, the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the protection of children from harm. They requested further submissions from the applicant, asking them to demonstrate that the premises would have no adverse impact within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone. They withdrew their representation after receiving the applicant's further submissions, which included a number of conditions and a commitment to operate the premises as a restaurant, with alcohol ancillary to food.

The Environmental Health Service raised concerns that the application may increase public nuisance in the area and impact on public safety. They proposed a number of additional conditions, including a requirement for a noise limiting device and restrictions on waste collection and deliveries.

48 Regent Street

Ls 1 Sherwood Street Limited applied for a new premises licence for 48 Regent Street, an event space below the Piccadilly Circus advertising screens. This is also in the West End Cumulative Impact Zone. The application requested permission for the following:

• Plays, Films, Live Music, Recorded Music, Performance of Dance, Anything of a similar description to live music, recorded music or performance of dance:
  • Monday-Thursday: 09:00-23:30
  • Friday-Saturday: 09:00-00:00
  • Sunday: 10:00-22:30
• Late Night Refreshment:
  • Monday-Thursday: 23:00-23:30
  • Friday-Saturday: 23:00-00:00
• Sale by retail of alcohol (on and off the premises):
  • Monday-Thursday: 09:00-23:30
  • Friday-Saturday: 09:00-00:00
  • Sunday: 10:00-22:30
• Non-standard timings for all of the above activities:
  • From the end of permitted hours on New Year's Eve to the start of permitted hours on New Year's Day.
  • On Sundays prior to bank holidays/public holidays: 10:00-00:00

The application stated that the premises would be used for 50 events per calendar year and proposed 39 conditions.

Two representations were received objecting to the application. One was from the Soho Society. The other was from the Environmental Health Service, who objected on the grounds that the proposed activities may increase public nuisance in the area and impact on public safety. They stated that:

The granting of the new application as presented would have the likely effect of causing an increase in Public Nuisance in the area and may impact on Public Safety.

The Soho Society objected on the grounds that the application was contrary to the Council's Pubs and Bars Policy (PB1), which includes a presumption to refuse all new applications within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone. They argued that:

The 2023 Cumulative Impact Assessment is clear any addition in the number of hours, the number of people consuming alcohol, the number of licensed premises will fail to promote the licensing objectives and increase cumulative impact.

They also expressed concern about the lack of information provided on the type of events to be held, the capacity of the premises, and how alcohol would be supplied. They pointed out that:

The area cannot accommodate people queuing or smoking outside the premises, it will reduce the pedestrian area and be a recipe for disaster.

The Licensing Authority submitted a representation raising concerns about the application and how the premises would promote the four licensing objectives. They requested further submissions from the applicant, asking them to provide more information about the nature of the events, how often they would take place, and whether alcohol would be served by waiter/waitress service. They also asked the applicant to explain how the proposed conditions and the operation of the premises would not add to cumulative impact in the West End Cumulative Impact Zone.

Rating Advisory Panel - Tuesday 24 September 2024

The Rating Advisory Panel met to discuss a report on a number of applications for Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) relief. NDR is a tax on non-domestic properties, and different reliefs are available from local councils. Councils have a duty under the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to levy NDR.

Applications for NDR Discretionary and Hardship Relief

The meeting considered 256 applications for discretionary or hardship relief from Non-Domestic Rates (NDR).

NDR relief is a reduction in the business rates a business has to pay. Some rate reliefs are mandatory, meaning that councils must offer them if a business is eligible. Others are discretionary, meaning that councils have some flexibility in deciding who is eligible.

The report pack notes that

The Council has a policy of providing support for businesses in Westminster through the award of Discretionary Rate Relief.

The report goes on to say

"In considering each case, the Panel is recommended to take into account the following:

• Whether the ratepayer is in receipt of, or entitled to receive, any other mandatory or discretionary rate relief, and the level of that relief.
• The circumstances of the ratepayer and the reason(s) for the application for relief.
• The impact on the ratepayer of having to pay business rates in full and the likelihood of hardship if relief is refused.
• Where applicable, the efforts made by the ratepayer to meet their liability or to mitigate their liability. This will include a consideration of whether the ratepayer is up to date with payments of business rates due in previous years, is maintaining payments on account for the current year (where applicable), and whether the ratepayer has made an appeal against the rateable value of the property.
• The level and impact on other ratepayers of awarding relief in line with the general principles of fairness and reasonableness.

The meeting considered applications for relief from a wide range of businesses and organisations.

Health & Wellbeing Board - Thursday 26 September 2024

The Health & Wellbeing Board is a statutory committee that brings together councillors and representatives from local health bodies to improve the health and wellbeing of local people. No transcript or agenda pack was available for this meeting.

This week in Westminster:

• The Council debated the Mayor of London's plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street, the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2022 and the cost of living crisis amongst other issues.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) discussed two applications for new premises licences, one of which was from Soho House UK Limited.
• The Cabinet meeting was postponed.
• The Planning Applications Sub-Committee (3) considered seven applications for planning permission, including a number of controversial applications for outdoor seating areas in Covent Garden.
• The Discretionary Housing Payments Review Advisory Panel reviewed the refusal to grant two discretionary housing payments.
• The Inner West London Mental Health Services Reconfiguration Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met but no transcript was made available.

Council - Wednesday 18 September 2024

The Council considered the adoption of a new Instrument of Governance for Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES), the Annual Report of the Audit and Performance Committee, a new policy on Disclosure and Barring Service checks for Councillors, and a Biennial Standards Committee Report. The Council voted to approve all four items.

Instruments of Governance are documents that set out how a particular organisation will be run. They often cover topics like the organisation’s purpose, its governance structure, its financial arrangements, and its accountability arrangements.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is a government organisation that helps employers make safer recruitment decisions by providing information about a person’s criminal record. DBS checks are often required for jobs that involve working with children or vulnerable adults.

Oxford Street Pedestrianisation

Councillor Paul Swaddle asked Councillor Adam Hug about the Mayor of London's decision to take over the Oxford Street pedestrianisation project, saying:

We've all seen the extraordinary announcement from the Mayor that he is taking over the Oxford Street project and planning to remove planning powers and all pedestrians from Oxford Street, removing vital access for the disabled and elderly, riding roughshod over your own commitment not to do so.

Councillor Hug said that the council was only informed of the Mayor's plans on Thursday afternoon and that he has written to the Mayor and the Deputy Prime Minister setting out the council's concerns. He said that the council wants these concerns to be addressed before any final decisions are made.

Councillor Swaddle then asked if the Leader would commit to launching a judicial review of the decision if necessary or resign. Councillor Hug responded that he would be making the council's position clear to the Mayor and the government and that they would look at what options are available.

Traffic Calming on Turpentine Lane

Turpentine Lane resident Camilla Carballetto presented a petition to the council requesting traffic calming measures. Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality, responded, telling Ms. Carballetto that the Council will be installing either virtual cushions or coloured high friction material at selected intervals. He said that speed bumps would not be possible due to concerns about ground borne vibration.

Virtual cushions are traffic calming measures that are designed to slow down traffic without causing damage to vehicles. They are often made of rubber or plastic and are raised slightly above the road surface. Virtual cushions can be used in a variety of locations, including residential streets, school zones, and pedestrian crossings.

Demolition of Historic Buildings

Lydia Strike asked a question about the demolition of historic buildings in Westminster, saying

I see what should be marvellous landmark buildings being torn down all over Westminster and replaced with characterless luxury flats, which often stand practically empty.

Councillor Geoff Barraclough, the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, responded, saying that the new administration is committed to protecting Westminster's heritage, and that they are in the process of strengthening planning policy to make it harder to demolish buildings. He cited the recent refusal of planning permission to demolish a building on Savile Row as an example of this new approach.

Cyclist Behaviour

Alexi Corrie-Smith asked what the council was doing about dangerous cycling, saying that Lime bike riders racing through red lights, not stopping, ignoring the green man. She asked

is there something that could be done about bike riders jumping lights, especially at pedestrian crossings?

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg said that road safety was a priority for the council and that dangerous cycling is a police matter. He said that the council was working with e-bike operators to find a solution and that he believes operators should use their GPS tracking to ban riders who jump red lights. He also said that the council wants the government to give councils more powers to regulate e-bikes.

Warwick Way Closure

Sian West asked about the council's plans to close Warwick Way in Pimlico to eastbound traffic, saying that 92% of residents and local businesses objected to the plans. She asked:

Why is the council pursuing this proposal when the overwhelming viewpoint of residents and businesses is that the area in the area object to what I would describe as an unreasonable proposal?

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg responded, saying that an earlier survey of residents and businesses showed that 83% were supportive of a permanent Alfresco scheme on Warwick Way, and that many of the objections to the traffic order came from people who were encouraged to object by a local medical centre. He said that he believes it's time now to deliver the scheme for Warwick Way and Churchill Street.

Rent Controls

Bettina Altman asked the council to consider introducing rent controls for private landlords. She also argued that rent levels should reflect the energy efficiency of a property. Councillor Matt Noble, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters, responded that the council has no powers to introduce rent controls, but that it is working to ensure that rental accommodation is safe and well-managed. He said that the council is also looking into ways to use selective licensing to improve energy efficiency standards and would be consulting on this in the autumn.

Refuse Collection from Clarence Gate

Sam Aband complained about residents of Clarence Gate Gardens leaving their rubbish on Checkford Street. He asked:

Why a permanent resolution cannot be found through a refuse from Clarence Gate, Glenmore Street?

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg responded that waste is collected five times a week from Checkford Street and that a recent change in Veolia's structure had meant that the new crews were not aware of the need to collect so frequently. He apologised for the problem and said that the issue should now be resolved.

Pedicab Licensing

Councillor Paul Swaddle asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor Adam Hug, about the licensing of pedicabs, saying that a start date of spring 2025 is simply not good enough.

Councillor Hug said that the council is aware that pedicabs are a problem for residents and that they are working with TfL to get the new licensing scheme in place as soon as possible. He agreed to write a joint letter to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, with Councillor Swaddle, to urge TfL to speed up the process.

Pedicabs, sometimes known as 'rickshaws', are three wheeled vehicles that are powered by a cyclist, and carry one or more passengers. Pedicabs are often used as a form of tourist transport, particularly in city centres.

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods

Councillor Paul Swaddle asked Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg if the council would rule out introducing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in Westminster.

Councillor Dimoldenberg confirmed that the council has no plans to introduce LTNs in Westminster. He also confirmed that councillors would be consulted on any proposals for school streets.

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) are areas where through traffic is discouraged or prevented. This is usually achieved by closing some streets to vehicles or by using other traffic calming measures. LTNs are designed to make residential areas quieter and safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Queen's Park Stabbing

Councillor Hamza Taouzzale asked Councillor Adam Hug about the recent fatal stabbing of a young man in Queen's Park.

Councillor Hug said that the council was shocked by the horrific killing and that he and other council representatives had attended a community meeting to hear from residents about their concerns. He said that the council is committed to working with the police and other partners to address the issue of youth violence.

Pavement Licences

Councillor Karen Scarborough asked Councillor Aicha Less, the Cabinet Member for Licensing and Public Protection, when the council would be producing a register of pavement licences for councillors.

Councillor Less explained that under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2022, there is now only a 14-day period for people to make representations on applications for pavement licences, which must be advertised by a blue notice displayed at the premises. She said that the council would be working with ward councillors on this issue.

Councillor Scarborough asked a supplementary question about how many enforcement notices had been issued for breaches of pavement licence conditions. Councillor Less said that she did not have the figures to hand but would provide them to Councillor Scarborough.

A pavement licence is a licence that allows businesses to place tables and chairs on the pavement outside their premises. Pavement licences were introduced in 2020 to help businesses recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Local Government Audit Crisis

Councillor Paul Fisher asked Councillor David Boothroyd, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform, about the impact on Westminster of the local government audit crisis, which had left 900 councils with outstanding audits in September 2023.

Councillor Boothroyd said that the council had been close to having its borrowing facility withdrawn by one of its lenders because of the lack of a signed audit, despite the fact that Westminster submitted its accounts for audit before almost any other council. He said that to avoid this situation happening again, the council had decided to seek a public credit rating from Moody's.

The local government audit crisis refers to the fact that many local authorities in England have been unable to get their accounts audited in a timely manner. This is due to a number of factors, including a shortage of qualified auditors and a backlog of work.

Affordable Housing

Councillor Rachael Robathan asked Councillor Adam Hug which new major housing schemes had been added to the council's delivery pipeline under his administration.

Councillor Hug said that the council was working to expand the pipeline of new affordable homes and that work was about to start on the Lisson Grove site and the Church Street site.

Councillor Robathan expressed shock that no new major schemes had been identified and added to the pipeline in almost two and a half years. She asked if Councillor Hug was concerned that this would leave the council short of its delivery targets. She also asked if he was concerned that the Mayor of London would step in and take control of housing delivery, as he had done with Oxford Street.

Councillor Matt Noble responded that the council is getting on with building council homes, unlike previous Conservative administrations. He said that the Conservatives had left the council with nothing on the 291 Harrow Road site, which he said Labour is now delivering.

CCTV

Councillor Judith Southern asked Councillor Aicha Less about the council's new CCTV programme, which is seeing the installation of 100 deployable CCTV cameras across the borough.

Councillor Less said that although there had been a couple of tragic incidents in Westminster in recent weeks, the borough remains a safe city. She said that the new CCTV cameras would be used to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, and that they were being monitored 24/7.

Councillor Southern asked a supplementary question about which wards would be receiving CCTV cameras. Councillor Less said that cameras had been allocated to all wards, including those which could not be mentioned at the meeting because of the upcoming Mayoral election.

Support for Families with No Recourse to Public Funds

Councillor Lorraine Dean asked Councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis, the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, if the council was doing enough to support families with no recourse to public funds.

Councillor Butler-Thalassis said that the council is supporting vulnerable families and refugees in the city. Councillor Dean said that she did not think the council was doing enough and suggested that it should reallocate some of the £10 million budget for community hubs to children's services. Councillor Butler-Thalassis said that the council supports everyone who needs help.

Families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) are families who are subject to immigration control and who are not allowed to access most welfare benefits.

WAES Green Skills Programme

Councillor James Small-Edwards asked Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg about the new Green Skills programme being offered by Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES).

Councillor Dimoldenberg said that the programme had been developed in partnership with local employers, including the Crown Estate, Grosvenor and London Zoo, and that the first class of students was already enrolled. He said that a new dedicated facility for the programme is being built at Lisson Grove.

Councillor Small-Edwards asked a supplementary question about the new Instrument of Governance for WAES, which was due to be voted on later in the meeting. Councillor Dimoldenberg explained that the new Instrument of Governance would update the existing arrangements, which were last reviewed in 2010. He said that the new Instrument of Governance would reflect the fact that WAES is fully part of the council and that it would ensure that the service is able to adapt to the changing needs of adult education.

Enablement Hubs for Adults with Learning Disabilities

Councillor Aziz Toki asked Councillor Aicha Less about the new enablement hubs that have been opened for adults with learning disabilities.

Councillor Less said that the council had invested £150,000 per year in the hubs, which are being run by the London Disability Network. She said that the hubs offer a range of services, including social activities, education, workshops and employment advice. She said that the hubs were particularly aimed at adults with learning disabilities who do not have support from adult social care.

Council Tax Reduction

Councillor Hannah Galley asked Councillor Adam Hug about the government's proposal to allow councils to increase council tax by up to 10% without a referendum, and whether he would commit to protecting young people and pensioners from the impact of any council tax rise.

Councillor Hug said that the council is proud to have been able to maintain low council tax in Westminster and that it plans to continue to do so in the future. He said that the council is aware that many people in Westminster are single people who face significant challenges in an expensive city, and that the council would like to see the single person's discount protected.

Councillor Galley asked a supplementary question about whether the leader would commit to using any new powers to increase council tax to protect young people and pensioners. Councillor Hug said that he would not make a definite financial commitment on a hypothetical question.

Library of Things

Councillor Jason Williams asked Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg about the Library of Things that has opened in Pimlico Library.

Councillor Dimoldenberg said that the Library of Things is a social enterprise that allows residents to rent household items that they might only need occasionally. He said that the library would help to reduce waste and promote a circular economy.

Councillor Williams asked a supplementary question about how the council would ensure that the Library of Things is having the largest possible impact. Councillor Dimoldenberg said that the council would be monitoring the library's performance closely and that it is hoping to open more Libraries of Things in other parts of Westminster if the Pimlico library is successful.

A library of things is a type of lending library where members can borrow items that they might not need to own, such as tools, kitchen equipment, and camping gear. Libraries of things are becoming increasingly popular as a way to reduce waste and to promote a sharing economy.

Tents under the Westway

Councillor Melvyn Caplan asked Councillor Aicha Less about the tents that have been erected under the Westway and on other council-owned land in his ward. He said that residents want to know when the council will be doing something about the tents, which he said are causing a nuisance and attracting anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Less said that the council is working with the police to deal with the tents but that it cannot simply remove them as they are occupied. She said that the council has to wait until the tents are abandoned before it can remove them.

Councillor Caplan asked a supplementary question about why the council had not applied for a possession order to evict the people living in the tents. Councillor Less said that the council has to wait until the tents are abandoned before it can apply for a possession order.

A possession order is a court order that allows a landlord to evict a tenant from a property.

Recycling

Councillor Robert Eagleton asked Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg about the council's recycling rates.

Councillor Dimoldenberg said that the council's recycling rate has increased from 3.4% in 2023 to 10% in 2024. He said that the council is working with Veolia to further improve recycling rates.

CCTV on Queensway

Councillor Robert Eagleton asked a supplementary question about why there is no CCTV on Queensway, saying that his son had been mugged there two days previously.

Councillor Aicha Less responded that the council has deployed some cameras but that there are delays in finding suitable locations for them. She said that a viability study is undertaken for every camera location to assess its suitability.

Community Hubs

Councillor Angela Piddock asked Councillor Aicha Less about the new community hubs that have opened in Westminster.

Councillor Less said that two mini-hubs have opened in Victoria and Charing Cross Library over the summer. She said that the hubs offer a range of activities and services, including coffee mornings, breakdancing classes, lunch clubs, a makerspace and employment advice.

Councillor Piddock asked a supplementary question about whether there are plans for further hubs. Councillor Less said that she is looking at other community hubs across London and that she would love to open more hubs in Westminster.

Illegal Short Term Lets

Councillor Md Shamsed Chowdhury spoke about the problems caused by illegal short-term lets in Westminster. He said that the council only has two enforcement officers to deal with the problem and that they are struggling to cope with the number of properties involved. He called on the council to increase the number of enforcement officers to at least six.

Councillor Matt Noble said that he agreed with Councillor Chowdhury's concerns. He said that the council is working with the government to introduce a compulsory registration scheme for short-term lets, which would give the council more powers to enforce the 90-day rule and to tackle problems such as noise nuisance and fly-tipping.

Short-term lets are properties that are rented out for short periods of time, typically for less than 90 days. Short-term lets are often used by tourists and business travellers.

Winter Fuel Allowance

Councillor Lorraine Dean proposed a motion calling on the government to reverse its decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Allowance to pensioners who are in receipt of Pension Credit. She said that the decision would leave many pensioners in Westminster struggling to heat their homes this winter.

Councillor Adam Hug proposed an amendment to the motion, which acknowledged the government's decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Allowance but called on the council to continue to support pensioners in Westminster who are struggling with fuel poverty.

Councillor Tim Mitchell seconded Councillor Dean's motion. He raised a point of order, arguing that Councillor Hugg's amendment negated the original motion. The Lord Mayor consulted with the chief executive and monitoring officer and ruled that the amendment could stand.

Councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis seconded Councillor Hugg's amendment. She said that although she preferred universal benefits, the government's decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Allowance was necessary because of the state of the economy. She said that the council was doing more to support pensioners than the previous Conservative administration.

Councillor Matt Noble also spoke in favour of the amendment, saying that the Conservatives had left the country in a mess and that the Labour government was doing everything it could to support pensioners.

Councillor Tim Mitchell said that the Conservative group would not be supporting the amendment because it did not properly hold the government to account.

The amendment to the motion was carried. The amended motion was also carried.

Licensing Sub-Committee (1) - Thursday 19 September 2024

This meeting was scheduled to include discussion of two applications for new premises licences under the Licensing Act 2003.

Soho Mews House, 8 Lancashire Court, London

Soho House UK Limited applied for a new premises licence for Soho Mews House. They requested permission for:

• Late night refreshment indoors and outdoors Monday to Saturday 23:00 to 00:30, Friday and Saturday until 01:30, and Sunday 23:00 to 23:30.
• Sale by retail of alcohol (on and off sales) Monday to Saturday 08:00 to 00:30, Friday and Saturday until 01:30 and Sunday 10:00 to 23:30.
• Films indoors 08:00 to 00:30 Monday to Saturday, until 01:30 on Friday and Saturday, and 10:00 to 23:30 on Sunday.
• Live music and recorded music indoors at the same times as for films.

The applicant also requested that the licence allow the premises to open to the public 08:00 to 00:30 Monday to Saturday, until 01:30 on Friday and Saturday, and 10:00 to 23:30 on Sunday.

The applicant requested a number of seasonal variations, for example to permit licensable activities until 03:00 on New Year's Day.

The application was objected to by the Environmental Health Service on the grounds that it may undermine the licensing objectives of the prevention of public nuisance and public safety. They requested a site visit to assess the premises before deciding whether to modify or withdraw their objection.

The application was also objected to by the Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum, who wrote:

The club has an approved capacity of 190 but has applied to relax the planning restriction to allow a capacity of 300. We object to 190 people leaving the premises after 11pm (with or without an extension to 300) on the grounds of public nuisance, public safety and crime and disorder... If this occurs during core hours; it is annoying but may be acceptable. If it happens after 11pm it is not acceptable.

The report notes that the application would be considered in the context of the City of Westminster Statement of Licensing Policy, in particular:

• The Core Hours Policy HRS1 which states that applications outside of core hours ...will be considered on their merits...
• The Pubs and Bars Policy PB1(A) which states that the Licensing Authority's general policy is to refuse new applications within the West End Cumulative Impact Zone.

143 Victoria Street, London

Pizzarlo Ltd applied for a new premises licence for 143 Victoria Street. They requested permission for:

• Late night refreshment indoors and outdoors Monday to Thursday 23:00 to 23:30, and Friday and Saturday 23:00 to 00:00. The applicant also requested that the licence permit this on Sundays immediately prior to bank/public holidays and from the end of permitted hours on New Year's Eve to the start of permitted hours on New Year's Day.
• Sale by retail of alcohol (on and off sales) Monday to Thursday 09:00 to 23:30, Friday and Saturday 09:00 to 00:00 and Sunday 09:00 to 22:30. The applicant also requested that the licence permit this until 00:00 on Sundays immediately prior to bank/public holidays and from the end of permitted hours on New Year's Eve to the start of permitted hours on New Year's Day.

The applicant also requested that the licence allow the premises to open to the public at the same time as for the sale of alcohol.

This application was objected to by the Environmental Health Service who stated that:

The granting of the application as presented would have the likely effect of causing an increase in Public Nuisance in the area and may impact on Public Safety within the area.

The application was also objected to by a local resident, Karyn Abbott, who argued that:

While it may sound innocent to grant a license to a bakery (and really, why should a bakery have one?), once granted it seems likely these issues will cross the street -- either at this location or others -- and further impinge on residential living.

The report notes that the application would be considered in the context of The City of Westminster Statement of Licensing Policy, in particular:

• The Special Consideration Zone Policy SCZ1, because the application site falls within the Victoria Special Consideration Zone.
• The Core Hours Policy HRS1 which states that applications outside of core hours ...will be considered on their merits...
• The Restaurants Policy RNT1, because the applicant stated that the licensable activities would be ancillary

Planning Applications Sub-Committee (3) - Tuesday 17 September 2024

The Planning Applications Sub-Committee (3) met to consider seven applications for planning permission, including a number of controversial applications for outdoor seating areas in Covent Garden. Planning applications are decided by councillors in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and related legislation, as well as planning policy set by national government and by local authorities.

Councillors are provided with a report from planning officers who assess each application against relevant policies and make a recommendation for approval or refusal. This recommendation is not binding, and the councillors can decide to approve or refuse the application even if the officer recommends the opposite. They are also able to add conditions to any approvals, and can defer a decision on an application if they feel they need more information.

When determining planning applications, councillors are legally required to take into account the views of interested parties. Interested parties are defined as anyone who may be affected by the development, and include neighbours, amenity groups, businesses, and statutory consultees like the Highway Authority, the police or Historic England.

27B The Market, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8RD

This application was a request to extend an existing planning permission that allows the restaurant at 27B The Market to place chairs, tables, and other furniture in three areas of the Covent Garden Piazza. The current planning permission is due to expire, and the restaurant was seeking to extend it for a further two years. The owners of the Market Building, Shaftesbury Capital, wrote a letter supporting the application. Objections to the application were received from the Covent Garden Area Trust and the Covent Garden Community Association, as well as from one member of the public.

The officers' report on the application recommended that the councillors refuse permission. They argued that the proposed furniture would harm the character of the Piazza and would block pedestrian access. They said, Allowing the proposals on a permanent basis would cause harm to the setting of the Grade II\* Covent Garden Market Building, compromise the quality and heritage value of the open space of the Covent Garden Piazza and cause harm to the appearance of the townscape generally and would fail to maintain or improve (preserve or enhance) the Covent Garden Conservation Area. The report also says that the applicant had previously not complied with the conditions on their existing planning permission.

35 The Market, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8RF

The restaurant Sushi Samba at 35 The Market, Covent Garden, requested permission to place tables, chairs, and other furniture on the Covent Garden Piazza. This application received an objection from the Covent Garden Area Trust and the Covent Garden Community Association. They argued that The existing and proposed set up is essentially an extension of the business's internal space as opposed to a traditional alfresco dining area, and that Covent Garden's Piazza is one of London's best loved public spaces, and should be enjoyed primarily as an open space. The application received support from Shaftesbury Capital.

The officers recommended refusal, arguing that the proposal would harm the character of the Covent Garden Conservation Area, the setting of the Grade II* listed Market Building, and would obstruct pedestrian access to the Piazza. They argued that The proposal’s harmful impact upon the setting of the Market building principally arises in views when approaching it from Russell Street and from vantage points at the eastern end of the Piazza. The two large parasols covering tables and chairs - while proposed to be 1.65 m narrower than the existing and previously approved parasols - when up would still limit appreciation of the upper storey of the building.

8 Westbourne Park Road, London, W2 5PH

This application sought permission to demolish and rebuild a house at 8 Westbourne Park Road. This application received objections from ten neighbours, citing concerns over the demolition of a period property, its impact on the character of the street and conservation area, the potential for noise and dust during construction, and the impact of construction traffic on parking.

The officers recommended that permission be granted, despite the proposed demolition of a building. Their report suggests that the applicant has previously gained permission to build an extension to the property which has already been implemented and which involved the demolition of much of the building already. It says The only additional demolition over and above the approved demolition consists of the demolition of the main pitched roof and the flat roofs to the rear ground floor and first floor extensions and a section of the rear wall at second floor level. The officers report claims that the applicant has taken steps to reduce the environmental impact of the demolition, and has included a number of sustainability features in the proposed rebuilt house. They say The applicant has demonstrated a willingness to lessen the project environmental impact, by exceeding the requirements of Policy 36 in terms of operational energy.

17-19 Foley Street, London, W1W 6DW

The owners of 17-19 Foley Street requested permission to build an extension to their building to create more office space. Objections were received from seventeen neighbours, expressing concerns over noise from mechanical plant on the roof, light pollution, and a loss of privacy. Further objections were received from the Fitzrovia West Neighbourhood Forum. Their objections were on the grounds of the visual impact of the extension on the surrounding area, the impact of plant equipment, and the potential for a loss of light to neighbouring buildings.

The officers recommended that permission be granted subject to conditions. They argued that the extension would cause only modest harm to the visual character of the area, which would be outweighed by the economic benefits of creating more office space. The officers report explains that the applicant has taken steps to reduce the impact of the development on neighbours.

22 - 24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE

The owners of 22-24 Bruton Place wanted to build an extension to their building to create more office space, and to change part of the ground floor from a garage to a shop. Objections were received from three neighbours expressing a range of concerns including the visual impact of the development, a potential loss of light, noise from air conditioning and a roof terrace, and the development's impact on traffic and parking. The Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum raised no objection to the development itself, but requested a condition that would prevent the new shop from being used as a restaurant.

Officers recommended that the councillors grant permission subject to conditions. They argued that the development would provide economic benefits and would not harm the character of the area. The report says, The design, materials and form of the proposed roof are contemporary in their character. Given the modern character of the building beneath and the lack of high-level views towards the roof, the proposed roof will have a neutral impact on the contribution that the building makes to the character and appearance of this part of the Mayfair Conservation Area.

27 Huxley Street, London, W10 4QQ

Councillor Stav Stavrou requested permission to replace the windows on his house at 27 Huxley Street.

The officers recommended that permission be granted, subject to a condition that would ensure that the new windows match the appearance of the existing windows. Their report says, The proposed replacement windows are considered to match the existing in terms of their appearance, including means of opening.

92 Clifton Hill, London, NW8 0JT

Crawford and Company requested permission to fell a London plane tree at 92 Clifton Hill. The officers recommended that permission be granted subject to the condition that the tree is replaced.

This week in Westminster:

• The Climate Action, Environment and Highways Policy and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 10 September 2024 and was scheduled to discuss sustainable transport in Westminster, and to receive a briefing on the refurbishment of the council's public conveniences.
• The Staff Appeals Sub-Committee met on Thursday 12 September 2024 to consider the appeal of a former employee against their dismissal.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (4) met on Thursday 12 September 2024 and was scheduled to consider three applications for new premises licences, for 80 Duke Street, 15-16 Bedford Street, and 49-51 Carnaby Street.

Climate Action, Environment and Highways Policy and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 10 September 2024

This meeting was scheduled to receive a report on a variety of aspects of sustainable transport in the City of Westminster, including a Sustainable Transport Strategy the council is developing, and a briefing on the refurbishment of the council's public conveniences. The meeting was also scheduled to review and approve the Committee's work programme for the 2024/2025 municipal year.

Sustainable Transport Strategy

The Committee was scheduled to receive a report on the development of a new Sustainable Transport Strategy for Westminster. The strategy aims to consolidate and supersede existing transport policies to create a single evidence-led document that supports the council's commitment to active travel, cleaner air and healthier lives for its communities. The strategy seeks to encourage what it calls modal shift, which is when people change the mode of transport they use to travel.

The report provided to the Committee stated that the strategy's development was informed by a comprehensive engagement and consultation process, with responses from a wide variety of stakeholders. A review of the strategy’s evidence base was also commissioned, which found that over 250,000 tonnes of carbon are produced by transport in Westminster per year, with road transport being a major contributor to both emissions and local air pollution.

The report proposed six strategic priorities to be addressed by the strategy: Road Safety, Access and Inclusion, Health and Exercise, Air Quality, Climate Change and Sustainable Economy.

The report also proposed that the strategy adopt a ‘Street Types’ approach to enable more strategic planning of the borough's streets, recognizing the different purposes streets serve in the community. The report identified four Street Types: Liveable Streets, High Streets and Local Centres, Key Centres, and Strategic Roads.

Finally, the report noted that Westminster Council is already implementing a wide variety of schemes that will support the strategy. The report included case studies on schemes including: the Pimlico micro-logistics hub and e-cargo bike share schemes, the implementation of 330 parking bays for dockless e-bikes and e-scooters, the implementation of nearly 2,500 on-street electric vehicle charge points, the introduction of emissions-based charging for residents and visitors who drive into the city, the trial of several ‘School Streets’, London’s first ever EV bookable loading bay scheme, the establishment of a Sustainable City Charter and King Street Low-Carbon Roadworks.

Public Conveniences’ Update

A briefing note was provided to the committee on the council's modernization programme for public conveniences. The note stated that a programme of works had been agreed in Summer 2023 with the aim of improving the quality and standards of the facilities the council provides. The briefing note updated the committee on the progress being made on the programme, which is comprised of a number of elements, including the reprocurement of existing contracts to upgrade facilities and improve service levels, and a refurbishment programme that includes plans to refresh sites located in residential areas of Westminster. The refurbishment of three of the four residential sites is now complete: Paddington Street Gardens, Wellington Gardens, and Queensway. The briefing note stated that works at the fourth site - Jubilee Hall - are still being agreed.

The modernization programme also includes the refurbishment of chargeable sites used mainly by visitors and tourists in the West End. Work to refurbish these sites is split into two phases, with Phase 1 sites due for completion by Summer 2025 and Phase 2 sites due for completion by Summer 2026.

Finally, the note stated that the project team have commissioned an art agency, the Contemporary Art Society Consultancy, to assist in selecting an artist to provide artwork at the refurbished West End sites. The briefing note stated that the team selected nationally recognized artist James Lambert to create artwork inspired by the surroundings of each of the West End sites.

2024/2025 Work Programme

The Committee was asked to review and approve the Committee’s work programme for the 2024/2025 municipal year. The report stated that the Committee should consider its Terms of Reference, the time available for both members and officers, and what items scrutiny would have the most impact on when reviewing the work programme.

The report included the following list of topics in the work programme:

• PDHU Options
• Recycling and Waste Strategy
• Public Conveniences Refurbishment
• Supplementary: PDHU Final Options
• Net Zero 2030
• Draft Climate Resilience and Adaptation Plan
• Dockless Bike Parking Bays 1 year on
• Ecological Emergency Declaration One Year On
• Climate Assembly Year 3 and Action Committee Outcomes

Finally, the Committee was also asked to consider whether it would like to establish a Task Group or commission a Single Member Study to examine any key issues in more detail.

Staff Appeals Sub-Committee - Thursday 12 September 2024

The Staff Appeals Sub-Committee of Westminster City Council met to consider the appeal of a former employee against their dismissal.

Appeal of a former employee

The sub-committee was asked to consider the appeal of a former employee.

Licensing Sub-Committee (4) - Thursday 12 September 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee (4) was scheduled to discuss three applications for new premises licences. Two of the applications, for premises at 80 Duke Street and 15-16 Bedford Street, had received objections from members of the public. The third, for a 'shadow licence'¹ at 49-51 Carnaby Street had received an objection from The Soho Society.

49-51 Carnaby Street

The application for a shadow licence at 49-51 Carnaby Street was made by Shaftesbury Av Limited, and it is for the same licensable activities and the same hours as the current licence, which was granted in February 2020, following a Licensing Sub-Committee Hearing. These include the sale of alcohol both on and off the premises until 2:00 Sunday to Wednesday and 3:00 Thursday to Saturday. The licence also permits live music, recorded music, anything of a similar description to live music, recorded music, or performance of dance, performance of dance, and late night refreshment from 9:00 until 2:00 Sunday to Wednesday, 3:00 Thursday to Saturday, and midnight on Sunday.

The Soho Society objected to the application, arguing that shadow licences can have a negative impact on the licensing objectives, in particular in relation to cumulative impact. They were willing to withdraw their representation if the applicant agreed to the following condition:

The shadow licence will not take effect when the current licence (24/02144/LIPVM or successor reference) is in operation, is surrendered, suspended or revoked

The Soho Society argued that the condition was necessary to protect residents and the safety of those on a night out in Soho.

80 Duke Street

The application for a new premises licence at 80 Duke Street was made by Grosvenor West End Properties. The application is for the reinstatement of a lapsed licence, granted in part in June 2023. It is for the sale of alcohol on and off the premises from 9:00 to 23:30 every day and the provision of late night refreshment indoors from 23:00 to midnight every day.

The report pack notes that two objections to the application have been received from members of the public on the grounds that the licence would likely increase noise and anti-social behaviour in the area, and would interfere with their right to quiet enjoyment of the property.

The Environmental Health Service also made a representation, arguing that the application may have the likely effect of causing an increase in Public Nuisance and may affect Public Safety within the area.

The applicant was requested to discuss the above with the Environmental Health Service, but the report pack does not indicate whether this has happened, or whether the concerns of the objectors and the Environmental Health Service have been addressed.

15-16 Bedford Street

The application for a new premises licence at 15-16 Bedford Street, for a premises to be called 'Amelia', was made by Aaj Tea House Limited. The applicant states that the premises will trade as a local cafeteria & patisserie and that they wish to sell alcohol to be served with our cakes and sweet pastries. They specifically mentioned that they intend to serve mulled wine during the winter months.

The application was originally for the sale of alcohol on the premises from 12:00 to 20:00 Sunday to Thursday, 12:00 to 20:30 Friday and 12:00 to 21:00 Saturday, but following representations this was amended to 12:00 to 20:00 Monday to Sunday inclusive.

The Licensing Authority originally objected to the application but withdrew their representation following a reduction in the hours applied for on Fridays and Saturdays, and agreement of additional conditions.

The Metropolitan Police Service did not make a formal representation, stating in their response that they had agreed conditions with the applicant.

Environmental Health made a representation, requesting that the applicant contact them to arrange a site visit to discuss the proposal. The report pack does not indicate whether a site visit has taken place or whether Environmental Health’s concerns have been addressed.

An objection was also received from a member of the public, who argued that the application would profoundly affect the business type and that it would add to the overabundance of alcohol related businesses in Bedford St., which is rapidly becoming a drunken free for all in the evenings.

The report pack does not indicate whether any of the concerns of the objector have been addressed.

This week in Westminster:

• The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) considered applications from Sainsburys, Tequila Mockingbird on Burleigh Street and a bar on Abbey Road.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) considered licenses for a members club, a vegan takeaway, Le Duke restaurant and 27 Old Compton Street.
• The Audit and Performance Committee was scheduled to meet on Thursday 05 September 2024 to discuss the performance and finances of the council.
• The Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee discussed a large mixed-use development on Victoria Street and an office and residential development on Eaton Mews West.

Licensing Sub-Committee (1) - Wednesday 04 September 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) met to consider three applications for new and varied premises licences under the Licensing Act 2003.¹ All three applications relate to premises in Westminster that are scheduled to operate as restaurants or off licences.

Tequila Mockingbird, 3-5 Burleigh Street, London WC2E 7PX

This application was for the variation of a premises licence for Tequila Mockingbird, a cocktail bar in Covent Garden.

The application was made by London Cocktail Bars Limited and requested changes to the existing licence that would allow the premises to:

• sell alcohol for consumption off the premises in open containers after 21:00,
• allow customers to leave the premises with drinks in glass containers after 21:00,
• remove a restriction on the number of customers permitted to leave and re-enter the premises after 21:00,
• remove a condition requiring all customers leaving and re-entering the premises after 21:00 to use the designated smoking area,
• reduce the number of door supervisors required at the premises at certain times,
• require the searching of all bags when door supervisors are on duty,
• change the last entry time to the premises from midnight to 01:00, and
• add an additional hour to their licensed hours on the day when British Summertime commences.

The applicant was requesting to vary a number of the conditions attached to their existing licence. Conditions are added to premises licences to promote the four licensing objectives:

• the prevention of crime and disorder,
• public safety,
• the prevention of public nuisance, and
• the protection of children from harm.

The applicant argued that the variations were necessary to bring the conditions of their licence in line with their operating style, which requires customers to be seated and served by waiters and waitresses. The applicant argued that this approach minimised the risk of crime and disorder and public nuisance.

This echoes similar arguments made in the meeting of 08 August 2024 where Global Partners Bd Limited argued that extending the hours for late night refreshment at their restaurant Wok & Fire would not have a negative impact on the licensing objectives because the premises does not sell alcohol.

The application attracted objections from local residents and an Amenity Society,² Paddington Waterways And Maida Vale Society, on the grounds that the variation would likely increase public nuisance in the area, particularly from noise from customers. They also expressed concern that reducing the number of door supervisors required at the premises may increase public nuisance and may impact on public safety in the area. This is reminiscent of the meeting of 22 August 2024, where the application by Mayfair Rebirth Ltd to vary the licence for Mano Mayfair was also objected to on the grounds that it would lead to an increase in public nuisance.

Sainsburys, 207 Shirland Road, London W9 2EX

This was an application for a new Premises Licence for Sainsburys at 207 Shirland Road, to permit the sale by retail of alcohol for consumption off the premises from 08:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday, and from 09:00 to 22:30 on Sunday.

The application received objections from local residents who argued that the presence of another supermarket selling alcohol would threaten existing independent shops in the area, would add nothing to the area, and may increase anti-social behaviour. Some also felt that the shop would attract more traffic and congestion to an already busy road, and that the area would benefit more from a pub, restaurant or other business.

The application was supported by a local resident who argued that the shop would bring a derelict site back into use, would provide a quality and varied food choice to residents and create jobs, would improve the visual appearance of the area, would increase natural surveillance in the area, and that there was a need for this type of supermarket in the area as the nearest alternative was on Harrow Road.

This echoes a debate from the meeting on 29 August 2024, where the committee considered whether to designate Fernhead Road to be suitable for Street Trading.

61 Abbey Road, London NW8 0AD

This was an application for a new Premises Licence for 61 Abbey Road, but the report pack does not indicate the nature of the business that will operate there, or the reasons for the objections that were received. The report pack does indicate that objections from residents were received on the basis that the licence would likely increase noise and anti-social behaviour in the area.

Licensing Sub-Committee (2) - Thursday 05 September 2024

Audit and Performance Committee - Thursday 05 September 2024

Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee - Tuesday 03 September 2024

This week in Westminster:

• The Licensing Sub-Committee (6) considered two licensing variations for Mano Mayfair and Marylebone Theatre and one renewal of a sexual entertainment venue license for The Windmill Theatre.
• The Planning Applications Sub-Committee (1) discussed applications to retain the Education Centre on Victoria Tower Gardens until 2030, extend a flat on George's Square, and add a gate on Craven Street.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee (6) considered permitting a new street market Maida Hill Market on Fernhead Road, extending Shawarma N More's licensee until 2am, varying the licenses of Grosvenor Victoria Casino and The Poker Room, and allowing a coworking members club Arboretum at Cavell House on Charing Cross Road.

Licensing Sub-Committee (6) - Thursday 22 August 2024

This meeting was scheduled to consider three licensing applications. Two applications were for variations of existing premises licences, one for a restaurant in Mayfair, and the other for Marylebone Theatre. The third application was for the renewal of a sexual entertainment venue licence for The Windmill Theatre.

Mano Mayfair

Mayfair Rebirth Ltd applied for a variation of the premises licence for Mano Mayfair, a restaurant at 4 Mill Street. They requested to extend their opening hours until 02:00 Sunday to Wednesday, and until 03:00 Thursday to Saturday. They also requested that their licence to sell alcohol and provide late night refreshment¹ be extended to match those hours.

The Metropolitan Police made a representation objecting to the variation. They stated that The provision and the hours requested for Supply of Alcohol will have the likely effect of causing an increase in Public Nuisance within the area and may impact on Public Safety. The police objection was based on the premises being located in the West End Special Consideration Zone.² They later withdrew their objection after the applicant agreed to a number of additional conditions. This is reminiscent of an application considered by the Licensing Sub-Committee (4) on 08 August 2024, where an application to vary the licence of Wok & Fire was also objected to by the Metropolitan Police, but later withdrawn following the acceptance of additional conditions.

Environmental Health also made a representation objecting to the application. They stated that they needed to consider whether the application would comply with building regulations and how noise would be mitigated.

Three members of the public also made representations objecting to the variation. They were concerned that noise from the premises would have a negative impact on them. One of them stated that This business is causing stress to all of [us] and it is affecting us mentally and physically as we can't get proper rest 3/4 days of the week. Another claimed that the premises had previously operated beyond its permitted hours and that there had been cocaine parties held there.

Marylebone Theatre

The Anthroposophical Association, the operators of Marylebone Theatre at 35 Park Road, applied for a variation of their premises licence. They requested to increase the maximum capacity of the venue from 320 to 382. This would be achieved by adding an additional 62 seats to the main auditorium. They also originally requested to extend their licence to perform plays and live music until midnight on Sundays, but later withdrew these requests.

Environmental Health made a representation objecting to the variation. They stated that they needed to consider the fire safety and sanitary implications of the additional capacity, as well as how noise from the larger audience would be mitigated.

Two members of the public also made representations objecting to the application. They were concerned about noise from audiences leaving the theatre late at night. One stated that Currently, there is excessive noise from the crowds who gather outside the Marylebone Theatre (on the street) before, during and after performances.

The Windmill Theatre

Immerse London Ltd applied for the renewal of the sexual entertainment venue licence for The Windmill Theatre at 17-19 Great Windmill Street. The report pack states that The applicant has not requested to change the relevant entertainment or to remove any standard conditions to the licence.

The report pack states that the application was opposed by one interested party. They attached a letter of objection to their report but redacted the details of the objector, and so the grounds for their objection are not known.

Planning Applications Sub-Committee (1) - Tuesday 20 August 2024

This meeting considered three planning applications, including an application for the retention of a temporary structure on the Parliamentary Estate. This echoes an issue discussed in the Cabinet meeting of 15 July 2024, where the North Paddington Programme was discussed, and the associated challenges in securing funding for temporary accommodation for families in need.

The Victoria Tower Gardens, Millbank

The committee voted to grant permission for the retention for a further temporary period, until 31 December 2030, of the existing Education Centre building for the Palace of Westminster. The Education Centre is a single-storey building with a green roof, located at the northern end of the gardens, which opened in July 2015 following the grant of temporary planning permission for 10 years (RN:13/07747/FULL). The building provides learning opportunities for students as part of educational sessions on the Houses of Parliament. It provides five teaching and learning spaces as well supporting ancillary spaces, such as a lunchroom and staff areas. Sessions are offered to students from across the UK and last 1.5 hours, including a tour of the Palace of Westminster and Q&A with the school’s local MP. The Education Centre’s programme of educational visits for schools welcomes over 80,000 children and their teachers each year during term times. Over half a million visitors from across the home nations have visited the Centre’s facilities since opening.

The applicant, The Corporate Officer of the House of Commons, told the Committee that the retention of the Education Centre was necessary because delays to the Palace of Westminster’s restoration and renewal programme meant there was no viable alternative location for the Education Centre to be relocated.

The report, prepared by a planning officer for the benefit of the committee, notes that objections to the scheme had been received from The Thorney Island Society, Historic England, and The Friends of Victoria Tower Gardens, on the grounds that the Education Centre harms the setting of the Grade II* listed Palace of Westminster, the Grade II listed Victoria Tower Gardens, and the Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square Conservation Area. Objections from members of the public echoed these concerns, and also argued that the building is not well used.

The report acknowledges that the proposal would cause harm to the heritage assets, but argues that:

The proposal results in the loss of public open space and harm to heritage assets. However, the Education Centre provides a number of public benefits and its retention for a further temporary period would not cause any increased level of harm.

The report concludes that the benefits of the scheme outweigh any harm caused. It therefore recommends the application for approval, subject to conditions.

Fourth Floor Flat F, 104 St George's Square, London

The committee voted to refuse an application from Mr. Jack Parker for the erection of a mansard roof extension, with a roof terrace and raised chimneys, on the top floor of a Grade II listed building in the Pimlico Conservation Area. The report notes that objections had been received from The St. George’s Square Residents’ Association (SGSRA), on the grounds that:

The proposals would result in the loss of the likely original butterfly roof form, which is strongly characteristic of mid-19 century terraced properties such as this, and which are consistent to main roof level across this group of 6 buildings (nos. 96-106), which in themselves form an integral part of the wider and strongly architecturally harmonised terrace comprising nos. 76-108 on the west side of St Georges Square. The proposals would fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area, and the special interest of the listed building. It would also harm the setting of the nearby listed buildings around square and the registered garden.

The report acknowledges the letters of support received, but argues that they do not outweigh the harm that would be caused to the heritage assets. It therefore recommends the application for refusal.

34 Craven Street, London

The committee voted to grant permission for the erection of a folding gate between two free-standing posts in the rear yard of a Grade II listed building in the Trafalgar Square Conservation Area. The report notes that objections to the scheme had been received from neighbouring residents and businesses, who argue that the gate would harm the character and appearance of the conservation area, would be detrimental to the amenity³ of neighbouring properties, and would cause an obstruction to Hungerford Lane, which runs alongside the application site.

The report finds that the gate would not be out of keeping with the character of the area, and would not harm the amenity of neighbouring properties. It further finds that, although the gate may cause some obstruction to Hungerford Lane, this would not be significant. The report recommends the application for approval, subject to conditions.

Licensing Sub-Committee (6) - Thursday 29 August 2024

This meeting was scheduled to consider applications for a new street trading designation, variations to 3 premises licences, and an application for a new premises licence. The committee report pack contains objections from the Metropolitan Police to 2 of the applications, and objections from residents and amenity groups to 3 of the applications.

Designation of Fernhead Road

The most significant topic scheduled to be discussed in this meeting was whether to designate a stretch of Fernhead Road to be suitable for Street Trading⁴, to be known as Maida Hill Market.

The Licensing authority will designate and de-designate street trading pitches to ensure that street trading is carried on in suitable locations and not carried on in unsuitable locations.

- City of Westminster Statement of Street Licensing Policy, Policy ST5(9)

The report pack contains the application from the Council for the designation, which contains the proposed layout for the market, details about the history of the market, and the responses from statutory consultees.

At the time of the meeting, only Highways Planning⁵ had responded to the consultation.

Variation of Premises Licence: Shawarma N More

The next most significant topic scheduled to be discussed in this meeting was an application by Shawarma N More Limited, a fast food takeaway at 123 Baker Street, to vary its Premises Licence⁶ in order to:

• extend the hours for late night refreshment⁷ from 23:00 - 23:30 to 23:00 - 02:00 Monday to Sunday; and
• extend the opening hours to 02:00 Monday to Sunday.

The application has been objected to by the Metropolitan Police and Environmental Health, who both feel that it would undermine the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder. The Police raise particular concern about the potential for congregation of customers who may have been drinking.

Fast food premises which are open after 11pm can attract large groups of customers, many of whom have been consuming alcohol in pubs, bars, or night clubs sometimes some distance away. The congregation of people around these premises leads to additional noise and disturbance and further congestion in the area.

- City of Westminster Statement of Licensing Policy

The application has also received a very large number of objections from local residents, who raise similar concerns about public nuisance, crime and disorder, litter and delivery drivers. Many also point out that this appears to be the third application for a Late Night Refreshment licence that has been made by the applicant.

PC David Morgan from the Metropolitan Police Licensing Team writes that he has concerns that the venue is not being managed effectively and that those in charge have little knowledge of the current licence and its conditions.

Variation of Premises Licence: Grosvenor Victoria Casino

The report pack also contains an application by the Grosvenor Victoria Casino at 150-162 Edgware Road to vary its Premises Licence. This variation is to:

• remove a condition from their licence that requires the sale of alcohol to be ancillary to the use of the premises as a casino;
• remove a condition from their licence that requires the sale of alcohol after 02:00 to be through waiter service, and for it only to be served to those who are participating in gaming or taking a table meal; and
• add non standard timings for New Year's Eve and for the commencement of British Summertime.

The application has not received any objections from Responsible Authorities or from members of the public.

Variation of Premises Licence: The Poker Room

The report pack also contains an application by The Poker Room at 150 Edgware Road to vary its Premises Licence. This variation is to:

• extend the hours for the sale of alcohol on Saturday from 10:00 to 04:00 to 10:00 to 06:00;
• remove a condition from their licence that requires the sale of alcohol to be ancillary to the use of the premises for gaming facilities and substantial refreshment;
• remove a condition from their licence that requires the sale of alcohol after 02:00 to be through waiter service, and for it only to be served to those who are participating in gaming or taking a table meal; and
• add non standard timings for New Year's Eve and for the commencement of British Summertime.

This application has been objected to by Environmental Health who believe that the proposal may undermine the Public Nuisance licensing objective. It has also received objections from The Hyde Park Estate Association and the Marylebone Ward Councillors. Both objectors state that:

The application of very late//all night alcohol licenses does not belong in areas next door to a high density of residential homes.

New Premises Licence: Arboretum

The final application to be considered in this meeting was an application by Penway Holdings Ltd for a New Premises Licence for Arboretum, described as a coworking members club, at Cavell House 2A Charing Cross Road. This application is on the same terms as a lapsed licence, but with an updated layout plan.

The application has received an objection from 4 local residents who raise concerns about noise from music and events, public nuisance, and smoking. The objectors point out that they have experienced problems with the previous occupier of the premises. The report pack contains mediation emails from the applicant to the objectors, which seek to assure them that the premises will be operated responsibly and in accordance with the licensing objectives. The objectors appear to not be satisfied by these assurances.

The Licensing Sub-Committee (6) met on Thursday 22 August 2024 to consider three licensing applications for premises in Westminster, two of which were objected to by the Metropolitan Police. The Planning Applications Sub-Committee (1) met on Tuesday 20 August 2024 to determine three planning applications, including an application to retain a temporary structure on the Parliamentary estate.

Licensing Sub-Committee (6) - Thursday 22 August 2024

This meeting was scheduled to consider three licensing applications. Two applications were for variations of existing premises licences, one for a restaurant in Mayfair, and the other for Marylebone Theatre. The third application was for the renewal of a sexual entertainment venue licence for The Windmill Theatre.

Mano Mayfair

Mayfair Rebirth Ltd applied for a variation of the premises licence for Mano Mayfair, a restaurant at 4 Mill Street. They requested to extend their opening hours until 02:00 Sunday to Wednesday, and until 03:00 Thursday to Saturday. They also requested that their licence to sell alcohol and provide late night refreshment¹ be extended to match those hours.

The Metropolitan Police made a representation objecting to the variation. They stated that The provision and the hours requested for Supply of Alcohol will have the likely effect of causing an increase in Public Nuisance within the area and may impact on Public Safety. The police objection was based on the premises being located in the West End Special Consideration Zone.² They later withdrew their objection after the applicant agreed to a number of additional conditions. This is reminiscent of an application considered by the Licensing Sub-Committee (4) on 08 August 2024, where an application to vary the licence of Wok & Fire was also objected to by the Metropolitan Police, but later withdrawn following the acceptance of additional conditions.

Environmental Health also made a representation objecting to the application. They stated that they needed to consider whether the application would comply with building regulations and how noise would be mitigated.

Three members of the public also made representations objecting to the variation. They were concerned that noise from the premises would have a negative impact on them. One of them stated that This business is causing stress to all of [us] and it is affecting us mentally and physically as we can't get proper rest 3/4 days of the week. Another claimed that the premises had previously operated beyond its permitted hours and that there had been cocaine parties held there.

Marylebone Theatre

The Anthroposophical Association, the operators of Marylebone Theatre at 35 Park Road, applied for a variation of their premises licence. They requested to increase the maximum capacity of the venue from 320 to 382. This would be achieved by adding an additional 62 seats to the main auditorium. They also originally requested to extend their licence to perform plays and live music until midnight on Sundays, but later withdrew these requests.

Environmental Health made a representation objecting to the variation. They stated that they needed to consider the fire safety and sanitary implications of the additional capacity, as well as how noise from the larger audience would be mitigated.

Two members of the public also made representations objecting to the application. They were concerned about noise from audiences leaving the theatre late at night. One stated that Currently, there is excessive noise from the crowds who gather outside the Marylebone Theatre (on the street) before, during and after performances.

The Windmill Theatre

Immerse London Ltd applied for the renewal of the sexual entertainment venue licence for The Windmill Theatre at 17-19 Great Windmill Street. The report pack states that The applicant has not requested to change the relevant entertainment or to remove any standard conditions to the licence.

The report pack states that the application was opposed by one interested party. They attached a letter of objection to their report but redacted the details of the objector, and so the grounds for their objection are not known.

Planning Applications Sub-Committee (1) - Tuesday 20 August 2024

This meeting considered three planning applications, including an application for the retention of a temporary structure on the Parliamentary Estate. This echoes an issue discussed in the Cabinet meeting of 15 July 2024, where the North Paddington Programme was discussed, and the associated challenges in securing funding for temporary accommodation for families in need.

The Victoria Tower Gardens, Millbank

The committee voted to grant permission for the retention for a further temporary period, until 31 December 2030, of the existing Education Centre building for the Palace of Westminster. The Education Centre is a single-storey building with a green roof, located at the northern end of the gardens, which opened in July 2015 following the grant of temporary planning permission for 10 years (RN:13/07747/FULL). The building provides learning opportunities for students as part of educational sessions on the Houses of Parliament. It provides five teaching and learning spaces as well supporting ancillary spaces, such as a lunchroom and staff areas. Sessions are offered to students from across the UK and last 1.5 hours, including a tour of the Palace of Westminster and Q&A with the school’s local MP. The Education Centre’s programme of educational visits for schools welcomes over 80,000 children and their teachers each year during term times. Over half a million visitors from across the home nations have visited the Centre’s facilities since opening.

The applicant, The Corporate Officer of the House of Commons, told the Committee that the retention of the Education Centre was necessary because delays to the Palace of Westminster’s restoration and renewal programme meant there was no viable alternative location for the Education Centre to be relocated.

The report, prepared by a planning officer for the benefit of the committee, notes that objections to the scheme had been received from The Thorney Island Society, Historic England, and The Friends of Victoria Tower Gardens, on the grounds that the Education Centre harms the setting of the Grade II* listed Palace of Westminster, the Grade II listed Victoria Tower Gardens, and the Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square Conservation Area. Objections from members of the public echoed these concerns, and also argued that the building is not well used.

The report acknowledges that the proposal would cause harm to the heritage assets, but argues that:

The proposal results in the loss of public open space and harm to heritage assets. However, the Education Centre provides a number of public benefits and its retention for a further temporary period would not cause any increased level of harm.

The report concludes that the benefits of the scheme outweigh any harm caused. It therefore recommends the application for approval, subject to conditions.

Fourth Floor Flat F, 104 St George's Square, London

The committee voted to refuse an application from Mr. Jack Parker for the erection of a mansard roof extension, with a roof terrace and raised chimneys, on the top floor of a Grade II listed building in the Pimlico Conservation Area. The report notes that objections had been received from The St. George’s Square Residents’ Association (SGSRA), on the grounds that:

The proposals would result in the loss of the likely original butterfly roof form, which is strongly characteristic of mid-19 century terraced properties such as this, and which are consistent to main roof level across this group of 6 buildings (nos. 96-106), which in themselves form an integral part of the wider and strongly architecturally harmonised terrace comprising nos. 76-108 on the west side of St Georges Square. The proposals would fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area, and the special interest of the listed building. It would also harm the setting of the nearby listed buildings around square and the registered garden.

The report acknowledges the letters of support received, but argues that they do not outweigh the harm that would be caused to the heritage assets. It therefore recommends the application for refusal.

34 Craven Street, London

The committee voted to grant permission for the erection of a folding gate between two free-standing posts in the rear yard of a Grade II listed building in the Trafalgar Square Conservation Area. The report notes that objections to the scheme had been received from neighbouring residents and businesses, who argue that the gate would harm the character and appearance of the conservation area, would be detrimental to the amenity³ of neighbouring properties, and would cause an obstruction to Hungerford Lane, which runs alongside the application site.

The report finds that the gate would not be out of keeping with the character of the area, and would not harm the amenity of neighbouring properties. It further finds that, although the gate may cause some obstruction to Hungerford Lane, this would not be significant. The report recommends the application for approval, subject to conditions.

The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) met on Monday 12 August 2024 and was scheduled to determine a full review of the premises licence for Concept Club, following an application by the Metropolitan Police. The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) was scheduled to meet on Thursday 15 August 2024 to determine a review of the premises licence of the restaurant Royal China following an application from the Home Office.

Licensing Sub-Committee (1) - Monday 12 August 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) was scheduled to determine a full review of the premises licence for Concept Club, 37 Duke Street, London, W1U 1LN. This meeting follows an Interim Steps hearing on 18 July 2024 where the sub-committee made the decision to suspend Concept Club's licence. As was the case in the meeting on 18 July 2024, the review was triggered by concerns raised by the Metropolitan Police. In this case, the concerns relate to a fight that took place at the venue in the early hours of Monday 15 July 2024, in which three people were injured, one of whom sustained a stab wound. Representations supporting the review were scheduled to be heard from the Metropolitan Police Service, the Environmental Health Service, the Licensing Authority, and 18 interested parties.

This application is reminiscent of the one that was discussed by the Licensing Sub-Committee (3) on 11 July 2024, in which Sun 13 Cantons had their application for a licence variation refused on the grounds that it was located in a Cumulative Impact Area, and the applicant had not done enough to show that they would not be adding to the problems already being experienced in the area.

Licensing Sub-Committee (2) - Thursday 15 August 2024

This meeting was scheduled to include discussion of an application to revoke the Premises Licence of the restaurant Royal China at 24-26 Baker Street, London. The application was made by the Home Office following a series of raids that resulted in multiple arrests for illegal working. The meeting was scheduled to consider representations from the Home Office, the Metropolitan Police Service, the Council's Environmental Health Service and the Licensing Authority, all of whom supported the revocation of the licence.

This application is reminiscent of the issues discussed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 25 July 2024 in relation to the Council's Emergency Preparedness, and the use of the Borough Risk Register. Risk registers are used by local authorities to identify and assess potential risks to the authority, and to put in place plans to mitigate these risks. They can be used to consider risks to a wide range of council services and responsibilities, including licensing.

This is the second time in as many weeks that a Licensing Sub-Committee has been asked to consider revoking a licence for a business in Westminster, and echoes a now well-established pattern of the Home Office taking enforcement action against businesses suspected of employing illegal workers. In the previous instance, on 12 August 2024, the Licensing Sub-Committee (1) was asked to consider revoking the licence of Concept Club following a request from the Metropolitan Police.

The Licensing Sub-Committee (4) met on Thursday 08 August 2024 and was scheduled to discuss two applications for licensed premises in Westminster. The Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee met on Tuesday 06 August 2024 and was scheduled to consider an application to demolish five buildings at 38-70 Baker Street, 64-66 Blandford Street and 43-45 Dorset Street, and replace them with a new seven-storey building. The Licensing Sub-Committee (6) met on Thursday 08 August 2024, but the meeting was not open to the public.

Licensing Sub-Committee (4) - Thursday 08 August 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee (4) was scheduled to consider two applications for licensed premises in Westminster: one for a new licence for a restaurant, and the other to vary the licence of a restaurant and takeaway to extend their hours for late night refreshment.

As in the meeting of 03 July 2024, this meeting saw the committee consider an application for a licence to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises for extended hours.

Licensing Committees and Sub-Committees are responsible for considering applications for premises licences, club premises certificates and Temporary Event Notices. They can also review existing licences and impose, remove or vary conditions on them. This could mean anything from changing the hours during which a venue is allowed to sell alcohol, to adding a condition requiring a venue to have security staff on duty at certain times.

The sale and supply of alcohol in England and Wales is governed by the Licensing Act 2003.¹ The Act aims to promote the four licensing objectives:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

When making decisions about licensing applications, the Licensing Sub-Committee must consider the licensing objectives, as well as any representations made by interested parties. Interested parties can include local residents, businesses, the police and other authorities.

107 Westbourne Grove

An application was received for a new premises licence for a restaurant at 107 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 4UW. The application was submitted by Shack 107, the restaurant at that address.

Appendix 5 of the report pack provides a list of the licensed premises within 75m of 107 Westbourne Grove. There are 12 premises listed, including restaurants, shops, food stores and public houses. All of them have licences that permit them to sell alcohol, and most have licences that permit them to serve late night refreshment.

Wok & Fire, 326 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, SW1V 1AA

Global Partners Bd Limited submitted an application to vary the premises licence of Wok & Fire, a restaurant and takeaway at 326 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, SW1V 1AA.

The application seeks to:

• Extend the hours for Late Night Refreshment² by an hour Sunday to Thursday and by 2 hours on Fridays & Saturdays.
• Vary condition 8 on the premises licence.

The current licence permits late night refreshment until 01:00 seven days a week, and the variation seeks to extend this to 02:00 Sunday to Thursday, and to 03:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

No new admissions or re-admissions shall be allowed to the premises after 02.00 (the following day) on Mondays to Thursdays, after 03.00 (the following day) on Fridays & Saturdays and after 01.00 (the following day) on Sundays. Signage to this effect shall be displayed at the premises.

This variation is sought because, according to the applicant:

The premises has operated for the last 15 months with its existing premises licence without any reported incidents of violence being recorded. The premises does not sell alcohol, so is unlikely to be the driver of violence in the area.

The Metropolitan Police Service objected to the application on the grounds that:

As stated in Westminster Councils Fast Food Policy FFP1, ‘venues which are open after 11pm can attract large groups of customers, many of whom have been consuming alcohol in pubs, bars, or night clubs sometimes some distance away. The congregation of people around these premises leads to additional noise and disturbance and further congestion in the area’.

The Environmental Health Service also objected to the application on the grounds that:

Applicant has to bear in mind that activities in restaurants continue after licensable activities have ended for longer. These include customers finishing their meals and paying the bill, and the clearing up in the kitchen and the public parts of the restaurant. There may also be handling and removal of waste and recyclable materials, but this can also be done the next day. These activities can give rise to public nuisance and public safety concerns.

Two other people also objected to the application, citing noise, smells and anti-social behaviour.

Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee - Tuesday 06 August 2024

The Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider one item for discussion during their meeting, a planning application for the demolition of five buildings at 38-70 Baker Street, 64-66 Blandford Street and 43-45 Dorset Street, and their replacement with a new seven-storey building. This is reminiscent of an application that was scheduled to be considered by the same committee on 25 June 2024, but which was withdrawn from the agenda before the meeting.

Redevelopment of 38-70 Baker Street

The report pack indicates that the committee was scheduled to consider an application to demolish five existing buildings on the application site and replace them with a mixed use building containing retail and restaurant units, offices and 17 flats. The report notes that the proposed building would be considerably larger than the existing buildings, that it would adjoin the Portman Estate Conservation Area and that the impact of the proposed development upon the significance of the conservation area was an important consideration in the assessment of the planning application.

The application has been submitted by Gerald Eve LLP¹ on behalf of Derwent Lazari Baker Street GP Limited, and is for:

Demolition of the existing buildings and redevelopment above a retained basement to create a mixed-use scheme providing Class E commercial space (retail, restaurants, offices), a community space, and 17 residential units within a new building consisting of ground plus 7 storeys plus rooftop amenity for the commercial, and ground plus 7 storeys for the residential element, improvements to the public realm and pedestrian routes around the perimeter of the Site and along Broadstone Place, consolidated servicing, ancillary plant and storage, cycle parking, and other associated works.

The report pack states that the report has been prepared for 'general release', that none of the buildings on the site are listed buildings, and that the site is not in a conservation area.

The report pack notes that the five buildings on the site are:

• Accurist House (Nos. 64-66 Blandford Street and Nos. 38-52 Baker Street)
• Watson House (Nos. 54-60 Baker Street)
• Nos. 62-64 Baker Street
• No. 66-70 Baker Street
• Nos. 43-45 Dorset Street

The report pack notes that there are 13 existing residential maisonettes on the fourth and fifth floors of Accurist House, and that the other buildings are used for offices and retail. The report pack mentions that the headquarters of the Special Operations Executive (SOE)³ were located in Nos. 62-64 Baker Street during World War II, that the building has a City of Westminster green plaque⁴ to commemorate this, and that the applicant has committed to reinstalling the plaque on the new building. The report pack also notes that the applicant intends to include a permanent exhibition about the SOE in a proposed new community space within the building.

The report pack indicates that the most important considerations in the assessment of the planning application were the sustainability credentials of the proposal, the extent to which it provides affordable housing, the impact on the setting of the Portman Estate Conservation Area and the impact on the amenity⁵ of nearby residential properties.

The report pack explains that the applicant's assessment of the sustainability of the proposal showed that retention and refurbishment of the existing buildings would have a comparable carbon impact to demolition and redevelopment. The report also indicates that the applicant had initially committed to reusing 29% of the materials from the existing buildings in the new building. However, it indicates that the applicant later amended this commitment, and had agreed to reuse 59% of the superstructure of Accurist House in the foundations of the new building.

The report pack indicates that the applicant proposed to meet its affordable housing obligations by contributing to an offsite affordable housing scheme at Castle Lane / Palace Street. The report explains that this was to be achieved by purchasing 'affordable housing credits' that were created when planning permission for 86 affordable homes at Castle Lane / Palace Street was granted in 2019. The report explains that the applicant proposed to draw down credits equivalent to 50% of the proposed residential floorspace in the new Baker Street development.

The report pack explains that because the development is near the Portman Estate Conservation Area, the application must be assessed in line with the requirements of The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)² and The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. It notes that the NPPF requires that any harm to a conservation area must be 'clearly and convincingly justified'.

The report pack explains that the proposed building would be significantly taller than the existing buildings and would 'detract from the domestic scale of architecture' in the Portman Estate Conservation Area. It assesses the harm to the conservation area as 'less than substantial', and indicates that the report’s author considered that the public benefits of the proposed development, such as the increase in office space, the creation of the new community space, and the commitment to providing a permanent exhibition about the SOE, outweighed the harm to the conservation area.

The report pack states that a number of local residents objected to the application on the grounds that the building would cause a loss of daylight and sunlight to their properties. The report contains a daylight and sunlight assessment and explains that the development would have a significant impact on the daylight received by a number of nearby residential properties. However, the author of the report concluded that the harm caused by the loss of daylight was not sufficient to outweigh the public benefits of the proposal.

The report pack also states that a number of objections were received that related to the design of the building, with many considering it to be out of character with the surrounding area, particularly the properties in the Portman Estate Conservation Area. The report pack includes a number of images that were prepared by the applicant to show what the proposed building would look like in the context of the surrounding buildings.

Licensing Sub-Committee (6) - Thursday 08 August 2024

This meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee (6) was not open to the public.

The Young People, Learning and Employment Policy and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 30 July 2024 and discussed the North Paddington Programme and the new ActiveWestminster Strategy. The Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday 31 July 2024 to discuss the proposed approach to Westminster's Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, and to review recent developments in the Oxford Street Programme. On Thursday 01 August 2024 the Licensing Sub-Committee (3) met to discuss applications for new premises licences for two businesses: 5 Goslett Yard and W10 Coffee and Deli.

Young People, Learning and Employment Policy and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 30 July 2024

The Young People, Learning and Employment Policy and Scrutiny Committee considered two pre-decision scrutiny topics: the North Paddington Programme, and the ActiveWestminster Strategy 2024-2028. The Committee requested more detail on several aspects of both and made a number of recommendations to the Cabinet Member for their consideration. These included a recommendation that the seven key themes of the North Paddington Programme be streamlined as recommended in an independent review, and that the ActiveWestminster strategy should incorporate the reinstatement of previously removed gym equipment in Salisbury Street. This echoes concerns raised in the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of 25 July 2024 where the committee recommended that the Westminster After Dark engagement strategy should be expanded. This decision reflects a now well-established pattern in this committee of recommending further consultation and engagement with residents.

The North Paddington Programme is a £20 million initiative aimed at reducing socioeconomic and health inequalities in the area. It was first discussed at the Cabinet meeting on 15 July 2024, and this is the second time the topic has come before a committee. The ActiveWestminster Strategy is a new strategy that sets out how the council will support residents to be more physically active.

Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday 31 July 2024

This meeting included reports on the proposed approach to Westminster’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, as well as on recent developments in the Oxford Street Programme. The committee were also asked to review and approve the work programme for upcoming meetings.

As in previous meetings, such as that of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 25 July 2024, the Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee considered the issue of homelessness in Westminster. The report highlighted the scale of the challenge, with Westminster having the highest number of rough sleepers in London. The report set out a number of measures that the council is taking to address the issue, including increasing the supply of temporary accommodation and providing support services to help people move off the streets. The report also acknowledged the impact of the cost of living crisis on homelessness, with more people being pushed into poverty and struggling to afford housing.

Licensing Sub-Committee (3) - Thursday 01 August 2024

This meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee (3) was scheduled to include discussion of applications for new premises licences for two businesses: 5 Goslett Yard and W10 Coffee and Deli. This is the third meeting of a licensing sub-committee in as many weeks, and follows a now well-established pattern of late-night alcohol licences being granted over the objections of residents.

As in the meeting of 03 July 2024, this meeting saw the committee consider an application for a 24-hour licence for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises. In this case the applicant was Tila Bruton Deli, a delicatessen at 68 Crawford Street, London, W1H 1HS.

This meeting also saw the committee consider an application from Sun 13 Cantons, a new pub, for a licence to sell alcohol until 01:00 seven days a week. This is reminiscent of the application considered by the Licensing Sub-Committee (3) on 11 July 2024 for a new licence for Carbone, a new restaurant. In that case, the committee granted the licence despite objections from local residents who argued that the area was already oversaturated with restaurants and bars.

This is the second time in as many weeks that the committee has considered an application for a licence to sell alcohol at a premises on Wardour Street. In the previous meeting, the committee refused an application from Williams Hirst for a new premises licence for their premises at 24 Wardour Street.

On Monday 22 July 2024 the Shareholder Committee met to receive updates from several council-owned companies, including Westminster Builds, Westminster Community Homes and Westco, and also to appoint two new company directors. Also on Monday 22 July 2024, the Inner West London Mental Health Services Reconfiguration Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met. The Climate Action, Environment and Highways Policy and Scrutiny Committee and the Planning Applications Sub-Committee (3) both met on Tuesday 23 July 2024. On Thursday 25 July 2024, the Licensing Sub-Committee (2) met to discuss three applications for licences and variations, while the Overview and Scrutiny Committee received updates on emergency preparedness, crime and disorder in Westminster, and the Westminster After Dark initiative.

Climate Action, Environment and Highways Policy and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 23 July 2024

The Climate Action, Environment and Highways Policy and Scrutiny Committee made several recommendations on the Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP), following a presentation of air quality data by officers and an expert witness from Imperial College London. The committee also received updates on the work programme, confirming the items to be discussed at its next meeting.

Work Programme

Members raised concerns about the responses given to their previous recommendations on the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking (PDHU). They requested more information on cost assumptions, particularly those relating to the projected cost of electricity and affordability for residents.

The PDHU is a plan to provide low-carbon heat to residents and businesses in the Pimlico area. The Council has been exploring the possibility of using heat from the Battersea Power Station for this purpose. In a previous meeting, the committee had requested further information about the costs of the project, as well as about how the switch to a district heating system would affect residents’ bills.

That the transport Strategy item coming to the Committee in September includes detail of co-design and how these partnerships are formed and determined.

Air Quality Action Plan

The main item on the agenda was a discussion of a new Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP). This followed a presentation of data analysis from a study by Imperial College London, which showed that air pollution in Westminster was projected to remain above guidelines set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) up to 2040.

The data from Imperial College London showed that industrial and commercial emissions were now a more significant contributor to Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) pollution in Westminster than transport. This is contrary to previous assumptions, and will mean the council changes its approach going forward. This may come as a surprise to some, as air pollution is often portrayed as being primarily caused by cars and other vehicles. However, the study suggests that emissions from buildings, such as those from boilers and air conditioning units, are now a bigger problem in Westminster. This is likely due to the high concentration of businesses and other organisations in the borough.

Do the committee members agree with the approach of re-prioritising our focus beyond primarily targeting pollution from transport sources, given our newfound understanding that industrial and commercial activities (e.g. heating and powering commercial buildings) are now the main sources of air pollution?

Commercial cooking, in particular, is a major source of particulate matter, such as PM2.5, which is small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs and cause significant health problems.

The committee also raised concerns about how residents perceive air quality.

Initial findings of analysis of this information against data produced by single diffusion tubes suggests that resident perception of air quality is similar to the reality of air quality.

The committee were concerned about the significant number of visitors to Westminster.

given that on any given day there can be over three times as many visitors and commuters than there are residents, it was suggested that they be considered as a stakeholder in efforts to improve air quality and attempts to engage them should be made.

There was a great deal of discussion about the use of electric vehicles and whether or not they still produced brake dust.

The Committee recommended that within the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan it is no longer claimed, as fact, that brake-wear from electric vehicles (EVs) is a significant contributor of non-exhaust road transport pollutants, following the implementation, and growing prevalence, of regenerative braking.

Concerns were also raised that the ambitious targets set might not be achievable.

given that 99% of the world is breathing poor air, Members asked how realistically achievable the Council’s target were and whether they were setting themselves up to fail.

The committee made a number of recommendations for the AQAP, including that chefs and caterers should receive training on air quality, and that the council should lobby the government to make public health a licensing objective.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 25 July 2024

This meeting included updates on Westminster Council's Emergency Preparedness, a discussion on the committee's work programme for the next municipal year and an overview of the Safer Westminster Partnership. It also included a review of crime and disorder, the Council’s work on the evening and night-time economy initiative Westminster After Dark and a general update from the Leader of the Council.

Crime and Disorder in Westminster

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to be provided with an overview of the Safer Westminster Partnership (SWP), which is the Council’s Community Safety Partnership.¹ The report pack included a Strategic Assessment, which looked at the scale and trends of crime and disorder in Westminster. The report pack indicated that Westminster recorded the highest volume of crime in London, with the majority concentrated in the West End and St James’s wards. The most prevalent offences were theft, with 61% of offences recorded in Westminster classed as theft compared with 30% across the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) area. The report pack also included a new SWP Strategy (2024-27) and Action Plan to tackle crime and disorder in Westminster, with three key priorities;

• Making the West End a safer place for visitors, residents, and businesses;
• Tackling serious violence & exploitation; and
• Creating safer, more confident neighbourhoods. Included in the report pack was a deployment protocol for the new Council CCTV service, which is aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour, crime, fly-tipping, and noise nuisance. The report pack suggests these deployable cameras will be used to complement the existing police CCTV network and will be prioritised to tackle problems in residential areas. The report pack suggested the deployment protocol should be reviewed by the committee and it would also be reviewed after the service had been operational for six months.

Westminster After Dark

The committee was scheduled to be provided with an update on the Westminster After Dark project, which is a project looking at how to develop and enhance Westminster’s evening and night-time economy. The report pack stated that this was a follow-up to a meeting held by the Committee on 13th March 2024 where several key stakeholders, including representatives of The Soho Society, the St James’s and Mayfair Residents Association, the Covent Garden Community Association and the Westminster After Dark Stakeholder Assembly, were invited to make representations about their views on the evening and night-time economy. The report pack suggested that a breakdown of data from the Westminster After Dark consultation process, would be provided, to illustrate local differences across the City. The report pack also included recommendations made by the committee at the previous meeting, including a recommendation that the Westminster After Dark engagement strategy should be expanded to include speaking to those who specifically engage in the evening and night-time economy, as well as those who do not. Other recommendations from the previous meeting, included in the report pack, were;

• That a recommendation that barriers to participation in the evening and night time economy should be investigated, should be taken forward;
• That a Westminster After Dark vision should be clear, and that the Council should continue to keep in mind a balance of interests at all times, should be taken forward; and
• That the Westminster After Dark strategy should consider how different evening and night-time events, particularly cultural events, across the City can be better promoted to broaden participation. The report pack included details on how these recommendations were being implemented.

Emergency Preparedness

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to be provided with a biannual update on the Council’s Emergency Preparedness, including the Council’s response to a major incident or emergency, national risks and the Borough Risk Register, which is informed by the National Risk Register² and the London Risk Register.³ The report pack suggested that the Council was reviewing its emergency communication strategies following recommendations made by the Committee at a meeting in December 2023. In that meeting the committee recommended that “communication strategies are refined as much as possible to ensure promptness, clarity and consistency in all channels, and that Councillors are included in the strategy to recognise the key role they play in disseminating information.” The report pack suggested the Council would be putting greater emphasis on early communication in its response to an emergency, which includes both internal and external communications. The report pack also suggested that pre-prepared communications, to be used in emergencies, would be regularly reviewed.

Work Programme

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to review and discuss its Work Programme for the 2024-2025 municipal year. The report pack suggested that the Committee should give consideration to the vision and purpose of the scrutiny function in Westminster, which is to:

“Champion the best possible outcomes for communities and stakeholders”, “Hold the Council, its partner organisations and external bodies to account for decisions taken and the impacts on our communities”, “Examine Council priorities, actively engaging in policy development and offering constructive challenge prior to decisions being taken”, “Working strategically across the city to focus our efforts on policy and service areas where scrutiny can make the biggest impact”, and “Demonstrating integrity and commitment by adhering to the Nolan Principles of Public Life”. The report pack stated that the committee would be asked to review the Committee Tracker, which records the recommendations, information requests, and actions arising from meetings. The report pack indicated that this would allow the Committee to monitor progress against the recommendations it has made, and information it has requested.

Leader's Update

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to receive a written update from Councillor Adam Hug, the Leader of the Council, on the recent work of the Cabinet. This update would cover a range of topics. The report pack suggested the Leader’s update would include a discussion of the North Paddington Programme which will fund a range of projects in the North Paddington area, such as:

• Improving trust and visibility around crime and safety for residents;
• Improving shop fronts on Harrow Road;
• Activating Maida Hill Market; and
• Building capacity for local organisations. The report pack also suggested that the Leader’s update would include a discussion of the Council's progress on its Oxford Street District Programme⁴. The report pack suggested the update would also cover the Council's Cost of Living strategy, which provides help and support to residents struggling with the cost of living. The update would include the Council’s extension of the Household Support Fund⁵, free school meals in Westminster, and the Council’s lobbying of the Government on issues including short-term lets and e-bikes. The report pack suggested the update would include a commitment to provide the committee with an update on the Council's progress against its environmental objectives, in a future report.

The City Council held 7 meetings this week, all of which went ahead as planned.

Cabinet - Monday 15 July 2024

The Cabinet met to discuss a range of issues, including the North Paddington Programme, the reshaping of Housing Solutions Services, Neighbourhood CIL funding, the Fairer Westminster strategy, and medium-term financial planning. This meeting covered a range of important issues affecting residents. Notably, the Cabinet approved plans for the North Paddington Programme, a £20 million initiative aimed at reducing socioeconomic and health inequalities in the area. The programme will focus on delivering tangible improvements, such as creating affordable workspaces, expanding green spaces, and improving energy efficiency in social housing. This decision reflects the Council's commitment to tackling inequality and improving the lives of residents in deprived areas, as outlined in their manifesto pledge to build a fairer Westminster. The meeting also saw the Cabinet approve a new hybrid model for the delivery of Housing Solutions Services. This decision, driven by a desire to improve service user experience and address backlogs, is expected to result in a 12% cost increase over the next two years.

This decision highlights the financial pressures facing local authorities, particularly in light of increasing demand for housing support following the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. Additionally, the Cabinet noted the progress made on the Fairer Westminster strategy, a comprehensive plan launched in 2022 to address various social and economic challenges in the borough. While acknowledging achievements in areas like family support, housing, and business support, the report also identified ongoing challenges, such as the need for more temporary accommodation and job opportunities.

Vulnerable Adults, Health and Communities Policy and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 16 July 2024

The Vulnerable Adults, Health and Communities Policy and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss a number of reports, including a review of the first year of the Council's Winter hot meal provision pilot scheme. The pilot scheme, which ran from November 2023 to March 2024, provided 2,578 meals to 105 older adults who were living alone and housebound. The committee heard that the scheme had been well-received by residents, who praised the quality of the food and the friendliness of the delivery staff.

The committee also considered a report on the possibility of providing free medication for socially vulnerable residents through local pharmacies. The report highlighted that other London boroughs, such as Barnet and Camden, already offer similar schemes. The committee agreed to explore the issue further and to make recommendations to the NHS. Finally, the committee discussed their work programme for the 2024-25 municipal year. The committee agreed to focus on a number of key areas, including GP access, substance misuse services, and the Community Hubs Programme.

Audit and Performance Committee - Thursday 18 July 2024

The Audit and Performance Committee met this week and discussed a wide range of issues, including the Council's financial position, counter-fraud work, the draft statement of accounts, the external audit plan, and cyber security. The committee heard that the council is reporting a small net overspend of £0.69 million against a revenue budget of £193.6 million. The overspend is attributed to a number of factors including the cost of temporary accommodation. The committee also heard that the council's Corporate Anti-Fraud Service (CAFS) had a successful year, recovering 38 properties that were being illegally sublet. The committee approved the draft statement of accounts for 2023/24 and the external audit plan for the same period. The committee also received a report on cyber security at Westminster and were pleased to hear about the ongoing improvements being made to the service.

Health & Wellbeing Board - Thursday 18 July 2024

The Health & Wellbeing Board met this week to discuss the implementation of the Health & Wellbeing Strategy, the development of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, and preparations for the next Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment. The Board heard that good progress was being made in implementing the Health & Wellbeing Strategy, with a focus on key areas such as improving the health and wellbeing of young people and developing a more accessible Healthy Lifestyle Service.

The Board also discussed the development of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs). INTs are groups of professionals from different organisations, such as the NHS and local authorities, who work together to support the health and wellbeing of people in a defined geographical area. The Board was told that three INT leadership teams have been established for North Kensington & Chelsea, Queen's Park & Paddington, and South Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. The Board agreed to support the continued development of INTs.

The meeting also included a discussion on the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA). A PNA is a report that assesses the need for pharmaceutical services in a defined geographical area. They are used by NHS England to make decisions about applications from pharmacies to join the list of NHS pharmaceutical providers. The Board heard that a new PNA must be published by October 2025 and that a procurement process will begin shortly to appoint a provider to deliver the next PNA.

Licensing Sub-Committee (4) - Thursday 18 July 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee (4) met to discuss licensing applications, however, the meeting was not open to the public. No information on the applications or decisions made is available at this time.

Pension Board - Thursday 18 July 2024

The Pension Board convened to discuss a number of important matters related to the Westminster Pension Fund. The Board received updates on several key projects, including the Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) project, the McCloud project, the Pensions Dashboard Programme (PDP), and the development of a new Pension Website.

The Board reviewed the progress made on the GMP project, which aims to rectify historical inequalities in pension payments for men and women. The Board also discussed the McCloud project, which addresses similar issues of pension discrimination based on age. Furthermore, the Board discussed the administration of the Local Government Pension Scheme for the City of Westminster and received a positive report on Hampshire Pension Services' (HPS) performance in managing the scheme. The Board also reviewed the latest financial performance data for the Westminster Pension Fund. They were informed about the Fund's performance over the past quarter, year, and three-year period, noting that the Fund had outperformed its benchmark over the one-year and three-year periods.

Rating Advisory Panel - Tuesday 16 July 2024

The Rating Advisory Panel met to consider applications for hardship relief from local businesses. The meeting was not open to the public, and no minutes are available. This non-public meeting highlights the confidential nature of financial assistance discussions and the need to protect the privacy of businesses seeking support.

This week's meetings demonstrate the diverse range of issues that local authorities grapple with, from social care and community development to financial planning and regulatory oversight. They also underscore the importance of transparency and public engagement in ensuring accountable and effective local governance.

This week, Westminster City Council had 5 meetings on its schedule. Of these, 2 meetings went ahead as planned.

Licensing Sub-Committee (3) - Thursday 11 July 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee (3) convened to deliberate on three applications for premises licenses. The outcome of the meeting saw the committee granting a new premises license to Carbone, located at 41-43 Old Compton Street, and approving a variation to the license for 22 Baker Street. However, the committee opted to refuse Sun 13 Cantons permission to vend alcohol at their new establishment.

Carbone, 41-43 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 5TQ

Carbone, a soon-to-be-launched restaurant in Soho, London, had submitted an application for a new premises license. Their request sought permission to sell alcohol until midnight from Sunday to Wednesday, extending to 00:30 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Additionally, they requested an additional hour of operation beyond the stipulated alcohol service times. This application encountered opposition from some residents residing near the restaurant's location. A solicitor representing these residents attended the meeting and presented their case. Their argument centered around the notion that the area was already grappling with an excessive concentration of restaurants and bars, a situation they termed oversaturated. They contended that granting the license would exacerbate the existing challenges posed by noise pollution and antisocial behavior.

I make the point that, as you will have seen from the representations from local residents, that there are concerns of cumulative impact – noise nuisance – in the area.

Councillor Louise Hyams, speaking on behalf of the committee, acknowledged that the residents' concerns had been given due consideration. However, she expressed the committee's satisfaction with Carbone's plans for the restaurant, coupled with the conditions stipulated in the license, as sufficient measures to mitigate potential public nuisance. Consequently, the committee made the decision to grant the license.

Sun 13 Cantons, 21 Great Pulteney Street, London, W1F 9NG

Sun 13 Cantons submitted an application for a variation to the premises license of their newly established pub on Great Pulteney Street. The sought-after variation aimed to allow the sale of alcohol until 01:00 seven days a week. The applicant's legal representative, a solicitor, put forth the argument that their clients possessed a robust business plan and boasted extensive experience as operators. They assured the committee that the pub would be managed in strict adherence to all stipulated license conditions. Furthermore, they posited that the pub would serve as a valuable asset to the neighborhood, offering a welcoming space for social gatherings.

However, both the Metropolitan Police and Environmental Health presented representations opposing the application. The Police articulated their stance, highlighting that the pub fell within a designated Cumulative Impact Area¹. They argued that granting the license would only serve to compound the existing issues of crime and disorder prevalent in the area.

The Metropolitan Police Licensing Team objects to this application as the premises is located within the Soho Cumulative Impact Area where there is a presumption of refusal to new licenses.

The committee's legal advisor provided a concise summary of the application's key points:

The applicant is seeking to vary a premises licence to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises from 11pm to 1am, Monday to Sunday, with an additional hour to disperse. The representations from the police and Environmental Health were made in a timely manner. Therefore, they are to be considered as part of this process.

The committee expressed their apprehension regarding the pub's proximity to several residential properties. They concluded that the applicant had not effectively demonstrated that the pub's operation would not negatively impact the surrounding area. Based on these concerns, the committee made the decision to refuse the application for the license variation.

22 Baker Street, London, W1U 3BW

The proprietors of 22 Baker Street submitted an application to vary their existing license. Their proposed variation aimed to facilitate a change in the layout of the restaurant and bar. This application did not encounter any objections, neither from members of the public nor relevant authorities. As a result, the committee reviewed the application in a private session, ultimately granting their approval.

Planning Applications Sub-Committee (1) - Tuesday 09 July 2024

The Planning Applications Sub-Committee (1) convened and reached decisions on 6 planning applications. They granted 5 applications and refused 1. Notably, all applications had undergone site visits by councillors prior to the meeting.

19 South Street, London

The committee reviewed an application for partial demolition, basement excavation, and a roof extension at 19 South Street. The application faced opposition from residents concerned about the potential disruption to their amenity during construction, along with a lack of detailed information regarding the materials intended for use. Conversely, supporters of the proposal argued that the plans harmonized with the existing character of the area and would enhance the visual appeal of the building.

The sub-committee reached a resolution to grant planning permission, subject to the condition that the applicant furnishes more comprehensive details about the materials to be used in the project.

Beaumont, Fletcher and Sheridan Buildings, Martlett Court, London

Councillors engaged in deliberations regarding an application to replace the existing timber windows on the Beaumont, Fletcher and Sheridan Buildings in Covent Garden. The proposal sought to install uPVC windows in their place. Opponents of the scheme, including local resident Susan Kyd, voiced their concerns, contending that the new windows would detract from the character of the conservation area.

It's absurd, they are not in keeping with the building

Gary Nolan, representing the applicant, countered by highlighting the positive impact of the new windows on the building's energy efficiency. He asserted that the change would be visually subtle.

you wouldn't even know they are uPVC, unless you went and touched them

After careful consideration, the sub-committee voted to reject the application based on the arguments presented.

The Garden Cafe, Brown Hart Gardens, London

The sub-committee discussed an application focused on the refurbishment of The Garden Cafe in Mayfair. The application garnered support from the local residents association, whose representative spoke favorably about the proposed plans.

we actually feel that the plans are very sympathetic to the building and its curtilage.

The sub-committee reached a resolution to grant both planning permission and listed building consent for the refurbishment project.

48 Shirland Mews, London

Councillors reviewed an application detailing the construction of rear extensions at ground and first-floor levels, an upward adjustment to the roof ridge height, the incorporation of a new entrance, and associated works at 48 Shirland Mews. Local residents raised objections to the scheme, citing concerns over potential loss of light and privacy. However, after deliberations, the sub-committee resolved to grant planning permission for the project, albeit subject to certain conditions.

Basement, part ground floor and first to second floor rear, 127 Mount Street, London

The meeting agenda included an application submitted by Tanner Krolle International Limited. The application sought permission to install air conditioning units and carry out other works at their premises situated at 127 Mount Street. After due consideration, the sub-committee resolved to grant both planning permission and listed building consent for the proposed works.

58-60 Lupus Street, London

The sub-committee engaged in discussions regarding an application to site tables and chairs on the pavement area outside 58-60 Lupus Street. Local residents voiced their opposition to the scheme, arguing that it would obstruct pedestrian access and exacerbate existing issues with street furniture.

people already are tripping up on the existing street furniture

Following deliberations, the sub-committee decided to grant planning permission for the placement of tables and chairs but imposed a time restriction, limiting the permission to a temporary period of two years.

Postponed and Cancelled Meetings

This week saw the postponement of three meetings: the Cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday 08 July 2024, the Audit and Performance Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 09 July 2024, and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday 10 July 2024. Additionally, two meetings were cancelled: the Discretionary Housing Payments Review Advisory Panel meeting scheduled for Tuesday 09 July 2024 and the Standards Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday 11 July 2024.

The City Council held 3 meetings this week, of which 1 meeting went ahead as planned.

Licensing Sub-Committee (1) - Wednesday 03 July 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee (1) met to consider three applications, all of which were granted. The meeting considered one application for a new licence, one for a new premises licence, and one for a variation to an existing licence.

Licensing Committees and Sub-Committees are responsible for considering applications for premises licences, club premises certificates and Temporary Event Notices. They can also review existing licences and impose, remove or vary conditions on them. This could mean anything from changing the hours during which a venue is allowed to sell alcohol, to adding a condition requiring a venue to have security staff on duty at certain times.

The sale and supply of alcohol in England and Wales is governed by the Licensing Act 2003.¹ The Act aims to promote the four licensing objectives:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

When making decisions about licensing applications, the Licensing Sub-Committee must consider the licensing objectives, as well as any representations made by interested parties. Interested parties can include local residents, businesses, the police and other authorities.

This meeting follows a now well-established pattern of late-night alcohol licences being granted over the objections of residents. This is the second meeting of a Licensing Sub-Committee in as many weeks, and in both cases the committee chose to grant the licence despite the concerns of residents. This decision reflects the content of the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2021. The policy makes it clear that the council will generally seek to support businesses that wish to obtain licences, and that objections from residents will not be considered a sufficient reason to refuse an application unless they are supported by evidence. In practice, this means that residents who object to licensing applications have to provide concrete evidence that the application, if granted, would be likely to lead to crime and disorder, public nuisance, or harm to children. This can be difficult for residents to do.

In this case, the Sub-Committee chose to grant a 24-hour licence for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises to Tila Bruton Deli, a delicatessen at 68 Crawford Street, London, W1H 1HS. A local resident raised concerns about the potential for crime and disorder and public nuisance, and presented a petition to the committee containing the signatures of 40 residents of 72 Crawford Street, but the committee was satisfied with the applicant's assurances that they would operate the premises responsibly.

The sub-committee also granted a new premises licence to a restaurant at 25 Leinster Terrace, London, W2 3EU. The licence permits the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises between the hours of 10am and 11pm, Monday to Sunday. No representations were received from local residents, businesses or the police.

Finally, the sub-committee considered an application from Ivy Asia at 20 Dover Street, London, W1S 4LX. The restaurant applied to remove a number of outdated and unenforceable conditions from their licence. The sub-committee approved the application in full.

Inner West London Mental Health Services Reconfiguration Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 02 July 2024

The Inner West London Mental Health Services Reconfiguration Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 02 July 2024 has been postponed.

Licensing Committee - Wednesday 03 July 2024

The Licensing Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday 03 July 2024 has been cancelled.

This week, the Westminster City Council held several important meetings, with key decisions made in the Licensing Sub-Committee and the Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee.

Licensing Sub-Committee (2) - Thursday 27 June 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee (2) met to consider two applications for premises licences. The committee granted a licence to 157 Praed Street but refused the application from Williams Hirst.

157 Praed Street, London W2 1RH
The committee first considered an application from 157 Praed Street for a new premises licence to sell alcohol between 10am and 11pm, Monday to Sunday. No objections were received against the application, from either members of the public or responsible authorities. The application was made in accordance with the council's Statement of Licensing Policy, which outlines the council's approach to licensing decisions. Given this, the committee granted the application.

Williams Hirst, 24 Wardour Street, London W1D 6QJ
The second application was from Williams Hirst for a new premises licence for their premises at 24 Wardour Street. They sought to sell alcohol for consumption on and off the premises from 10am to 1am Sunday to Wednesday and 10am to 3am Thursday to Saturday. The Metropolitan Police opposed the application on the grounds that the hours requested were excessive and would lead to crime and disorder.

The hours sought are considered excessive in this location, which is within the Cumulative Impact Zone. Awarding such hours would undermine the licensing objectives, especially the prevention of crime and disorder.

The applicants offered to reduce their opening hours to address these concerns, proposing to close at 12am Sunday to Wednesday and 2am Thursday to Saturday. However, the committee decided to refuse the application due to the persistent concerns about crime and disorder.

Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee - Tuesday 25 June 2024

The Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee reviewed three significant planning applications, approving two and refusing one.

38-70 Baker Street
The sub-committee approved the redevelopment of a site at 38-70 Baker Street, which includes 64-66 Blandford Street and 43-45 Dorset Street. The proposal involves demolishing the existing buildings and constructing a new building with office space, retail, and restaurant units. The approval is subject to conditions, including a £2,075,000 contribution to the Carbon Offset Fund and the submission of a Construction Logistics Plan.

63-65 Curzon Street
The committee also approved an application for the erection of a building at 63-65 Curzon Street, following the demolition of the existing structure. The mixed-use development includes retail units at basement and ground floor levels, office space, and 39 residential units. Conditions for approval include providing affordable housing units and contributions to the Council's Carbon Offset Fund and a nearby Community Centre. The decision is subject to a Section 106 agreement and the Mayor of London not intervening.

49-50 Berkeley Square
An application to redevelop 49-50 Berkeley Square was refused. The proposal involved demolishing the existing buildings and constructing a new office building with retail units at the ground floor. The committee found that the proposal's excessive height, bulk, and design would negatively impact the Mayfair Conservation Area. Additionally, the proposal did not optimize the site's capacity for mixed-use development, including residential elements, which would support local vitality and viability.

Postponed and Cancelled Meetings

The Young People, Learning and Employment Policy and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 25 June 2024, and the Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday 27 June 2024, were both postponed. Additionally, the Planning & City Development Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday 26 June 2024 was cancelled.

This week's decisions highlight the council's continued focus on balancing development with community impact and safety.