An application for a Premises Licence in respect of Purity Club, 3 Pitt Street, Wolverhampton, WV3 0NF was considered following representations received from the Licensing Authority, Public Health and West Midlands Police.

The Chair stated that on 11 November 2020 all parties had agreed to adjourn the Sub-Committee Hearing to a specified date that being Wednesday 18 November 2020, to allow West Midlands Police more time to consider the amended Operating Schedule that had been proposed by the Licensing Authority.

The Chair stated the names of all those present at the Hearing and invited Debra Craner, Section Leader Licensing, to report any updates since the Hearing had been adjourned.

The Section Leader Licensing stated that since the last Hearing, West Midlands Police (WMP) had submitted a further amended Operating Schedule and that this had been circulated to all parties.

The Chair invited the Applicant to comment on the new proposals from West Midlands Police.

Mr Clive Thomason, Applicant, confirmed that he had seen the proposed amendments from West Midlands Police and was happy to accept them.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question Mr Thomason. Mr Thomason responded to questions asked.

The Chair invited the Licensing Authority to make representations regarding the new proposals. Elaine Moreton, Section Leader Licensing, did so. She stated that the Operating Schedule submitted by West Midlands Police was very good and that it was an enhanced version of what she had previously submitted. She confirmed that she had no objections to the amended proposal but highlighted two potential mistakes within the document.

Mr Andrew Parker and Sgt Steph Reynolds acknowledged the two mistakes and agreed to rectify them.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question the Licensing Authority in relation to its submission. No questions were asked.

The Chair invited West Midlands Police to make representations regarding their proposed Operating Schedule. Mr Andrew Parker, Barrister representing West Midlands Police, did so. He confirmed that WMP were now satisfied as the Applicant had agreed to their proposed amendments and had confirmed that he had no intention to use the premises as a sexual entertainment venue.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question West Midlands Police in relation to its submission. Mr Parker responded to questions asked.

The Chair invited Public Health to make representations regarding the new proposals. Michelle Smith, Principal Public Health Specialist, did so. She requested that a condition regarding membership be added to the schedule to ensure that admittance to the premises could not be immediate upon obtaining membership.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question Public Health in relation to her submission. Michelle Smith responded to questions asked and all parties agreed on a suitable condition that would be added to the Operating Schedule.

The Chair invited all parties present to make their final address.

West Midlands Police, the Licensing Authority and the Applicant all made a final statement.

Councillor Bolshaw, Councillor Crofts, Councillor Inston, the Senior Solicitor and Democratic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3

An application for a Premises Licence in respect of Purity Club, 3 Pitt Street, Wolverhampton, WV3 0NF was considered following representations received from the Licensing Authority, Public Health and West Midlands Police.

The Chair welcomed all parties to the hearing and invited all those present to introduce themselves. All parties did so. He outlined the procedure to be followed and all parties confirmed that they understood the procedure.

Debra Craner, Section Leader Licensing, provided an outline of the

application and reported that since the agenda had been published, Elaine Moreton, Licensing Authority, had submitted some proposed amendments to the Applicant’s Operating Schedule. She further stated that these proposed amendments had been circulated to all parties in advance of the Hearing.

The Chair invited the Applicant to present his application.

Mr Clive Thomason did so as per Appendix 1 of the report. He stated that he had successfully ran a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) club in Dudley for 13 years and was moving to the Wolverhampton area for convenience. He advised that if parties were not comfortable with certain activities or equipment at the premises they would be removed.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question Mr Thomason in relation to his submission.

Mr Thomason responded to questions asked and stated that:

• He would be happy to install CCTV where required;
• He agreed to accept the amended Operating Schedule proposed by the Licensing Authority;
• No sexual activity would take place on the premises and licensing regulations would be adhered to;
• Any activity that may require sex establishment licensing would cease, and equipment would be removed.

The Chair invited the Licensing Authority to make representations. Elaine Moreton, Section Leader Licensing, did so as per Appendix 5 of the report.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question the Licensing Authority in relation to its submission. Mrs Moreton responded to questions asked and stated that she was happy for her proposals to be amended or added to.

The Sub-Committee adjourned at 12.20 hours for lunch.

The Hearing reconvened at 12.40 hours.

The Chair invited West Midlands Police (WMP) to make representations. Mr Andrew Parker, Barrister representing West Midlands Police, did so as per Appendix 3 of the report. He stated that the application, in its current form, was not fit for purpose and requested that the Sub-Committee either reject the application or adjourn the Hearing to a later date allowing the Applicant time to improve his application. He further stated that despite the Applicant agreeing to the proposals from the Licensing Authority, WMP still had concerns about the intended use of the premises.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question West Midlands Police in relation to its submission. Mr Parker and Sgt Steph Reynolds responded to questions asked. Sgt Reynolds stated that WMP had not had enough time to consider the proposed amendments from the Licensing Authority and suggested that an adjournment to a future date would be enable them to so.

Mr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3