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West Devon Licensing Sub-Committee |
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Minutes of a meeting of the West Devon Licensing Sub-Committee held on Tuesday, 9th April, 2024 at 10.00 am at the Chamber - Kilworthy Park
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Present: |
Councillors:
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Chairman Cllr Cheadle Vice Chairman |
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Cllr Mott
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Cllr Southcott |
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In attendance: |
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Officers:
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Lawyer Head of Environmental Health & Licensing
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Senior Democratic Services Support Officer
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Senior Licensing Officer Licensing Officer
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Immigration Enforcement Officer, Home Office |
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Immigration Enforcement Officer, Home Office
Applicant
11. Appointment of Chairman
*LSC 11
It was RESOLVED that Cllr R Cheadle be appointed Chairman for the duration of the Sub-Committee meeting.
12. Declarations of Interest
*LSC 12
There were no declarations of interest declared
13. Application for the review of premises licence for Rajpoot Restaurant, Bridge House, 25 Fore Street, Okehampton, EX20 1DL
*LSC 13
The Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report and set out the reasons for the Sub-Committee being required to determine this application. In February 2024, the Licencing Office received an application to review the premises license at Rajpoot Restaurant from the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Team. The Premises Licence holder had failed to meet the licensing objectives of prevention of crime and disorder due to illegal working being found at the premises when visited by the Immigration Enforcement Officers on four occasions since 2016.
The Immigration Enforcement Officer read out some key points from his report on the investigations that were carried out at the premises. He stated that employing illegal workers undermines the licensing objectives. Immigration enforcement is intelligence led and there would need to be sufficient concerns for them to investigate. They found four people who were working illegally on the visits made. Overall, fourteen people had been found to be working at the premises since 2016 without the required permission. Civil penalties totally £215k had not been paid.
The DPS of the premises made his representation. He stated the Immigration Enforcement Offices had visited the premises a total of five times since 2020 and they found no illegal working taking place.
The Immigration Officer stated that whilst the extant order was in place, they found another illegal worker on the premises in 2023 and they were arrested. Another civil penalty was evoked as part of that.
The Committee adjourned at 10.20am. On their return they read out their decision in the following statement:
We are here to consider the prevention of crime and disorder in association with licensing arrangement at this premises. We are concerned about the continued employment of illegal workers at the establishment. We have therefore concluded that we shall remove the Designated Premises Supervisor and revoke the premises license.
This will be confirmed in writing and there will be 21 days in which to appeal against this decision to a Magistrates Court.
The Meeting concluded at 10.40 am
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Signed by:
Chairman |
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