The Licensing Sub-Committee of Redbridge Council was scheduled to discuss an application for a summary review of the premises licence for The General Havelock public house. The meeting's agenda also included procedural matters related to licensing hearings.

Procedure for Licensing Hearings

The committee was scheduled to consider the procedure for licensing hearings. This included outlining the steps for presenting cases on behalf of the police and the respondent, followed by summing up arguments before the sub-committee deliberated in private.

Application for a Summary Licence Review of The General Havelock

A significant item on the agenda was the application for a summary review of the premises licence for The General Havelock, located at 229 High Road, Ilford, IG1 1NE. This review was initiated by the Metropolitan Police Service, who issued a certificate under Section 53A(1)(b) of the Licensing Act 2003, stating that in their opinion, the premises are associated with serious crime.

The report pack detailed the reasons for this assessment, citing an allegation of rape at or next to the premises on 23rd July 2022, shortly after the pub's terminal hour of 2 am. The police also noted previous warnings issued to the licensee, Georgios Balisani, and his manager, Zoe Nisbet, in May 2022 following violent assaults at the venue. A particular concern raised was the alleged inability of the licensee and manager to access CCTV footage for the incident on 23rd July, which the police believed was an attempt to conceal evidence of operating beyond licensable hours. This was considered a breach of a premises licence condition and an offence under Section 136 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The police report indicated that CCTV footage from the London Borough of Redbridge showed door staff allowing customers into the pub after 2 am and beyond 3 am on the night in question, contradicting the report provided by the pub's door staff. The Metropolitan Police Service stated that they cannot trust the venue to operate lawfully and seek revocation of the premises licence. They also sought the immediate suspension of the premises licence, arguing that the venue posed a serious risk to the public due to repeatedly operating beyond its licensable hours.

The report pack also outlined the legal framework surrounding such reviews, including the implications of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010. The Equality Act 2010 requires the council to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between people who share protected characteristics. The report confirmed there were no direct financial implications for the council arising from this report.

The documents provided included the premises licence for The General Havelock, which details its licensable activities, opening hours, and conditions. These conditions include mandatory requirements under the Licensing Act 2003, such as age verification policies and responsible alcohol promotions, as well as conditions attached after a hearing, such as the employment of door supervisors and the maintenance of CCTV systems and incident logs.

The meeting was scheduled to follow the procedure for an expedited summary review, as detailed in the guidance documents provided by the Home Office. This process allows for interim steps to be taken by the licensing authority pending a full review.