The Licensing Committee of Newham Council met on Tuesday 31 January 2012 to discuss a range of licensing matters. The agenda included a specific application for a special treatment licence, proposals for regulating tables and chairs on the public highway, and the framework for temporary street trading licences.

Libby's, 162-164 The Grove, Stratford

A significant portion of the meeting was scheduled to be dedicated to the determination of an application for a new premises licence for Libby's, located at 162-164 The Grove, Stratford, E15 1NS. The applicant, Mr Francis Godfrey, sought a licence for massage and sauna services. However, the Metropolitan Police Service had lodged an objection to the application on grounds including the prevention of crime and disorder, concerns about the management's fitness to hold a licence, and allegations that the premises had been improperly conducted. The report pack detailed previous police visits to the premises, which suggested it was being used as a brothel rather than a legitimate massage and sauna establishment. Additionally, the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) had previously issued an enforcement notice regarding fire safety compliance, although subsequent checks indicated broadly compliant status with some remaining concerns about fire risk assessments and training records. The committee was to consider these representations and the statutory grounds for refusal under the London Local Authorities Act 1991.

Permissions for Amenities (Tables and Chairs) on the Public Highway

The committee was also scheduled to consider the introduction of a licensing regime for permissions to place tables and chairs on the public highway, as permitted under section 115E of the Highways Act 1980. This would allow adjacent businesses, such as public houses, restaurants, and cafes, to use the pavement for customers to consume refreshments. The proposed regime aimed to regulate such use, with a recommendation that permissions be restricted to situations where refreshments are ordered, paid for, and collected from the adjacent business, and that no waiter/waitress service be provided to the outdoor seating area. The report pack outlined proposed guidelines, rules governing applications, standard conditions, and an application form for these permissions. Key considerations included the requirement for public liability insurance of £5,000,000 and the standard duration of permissions, with a recommendation for a one-year term requiring renewal.

Temporary Street Trading Licences

The committee was also set to review the framework for temporary street trading licences under the London Local Authorities Act 1990. This agenda item followed a consultation exercise regarding proposed documents for licensing street trading in areas other than designated market areas. The consultation had received one response from a shop owner expressing support for regulating unregulated street traders. Furthermore, new considerations had arisen, including the potential use of street trading legislation to regulate the distribution of commercial advertising materials and walking/stationary human advertising. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills had also indicated that street trading legislation falls within the scope of the European Services Directive. Consequently, revised and new documents were presented, encompassing licensing for leaflet distribution and human advertising, alongside updated rules and application forms.

The meeting also included standard procedural items such as the management of the meeting's business and declarations of interest, as well as the confirmation of minutes from the previous meeting held on 26 October 2011.