The Chair asked all parties if they had any requests, and it was noted that there were no requests.

The Principal Licensing Officer introduced the report to Members of the Sub-Committee and in doing so explained this was the full hearing, following the review summary hearing held on 13 March 2020 to determine the interim steps to be taken for the application in respect of the Civic Hall, Blackshots Lane, Grays RM162JU.

He continued by ensuring that all parties had received the supplementary documents circulated by Essex Police. It was confirmed that had. The Principal Licensing Officer then advised Members, they had 2 decisions to make in respect to the application. The first was in relation to the interim steps they decide on at the summery hearing and the second was an overall decision following the current hearing.

Members, Essex Police and the applicant were provided the chance to ask questions of the Licensing Officer. There were none

The Licensing Officer for Essex Police addressed Members explaining that on  Saturday 7 March 2020 a call was received from the Duty Manager at the Civic Hall, stating that multiple fights had broken out following a boxing event at the premises. These fights had started inside the premises and had then spilled out into the car park. 

She continued by stating that considerable police resources across Essex had to be deployed to restore order and police officers were compelled to remain onsite until after 01:00am to prevent a recurrence after order had been restored. Members were advised that Essex Police did not have knowledge of the Boxing match, if they had, it was possible the events following the Boxing match could have been prevented.

Members heard how officers attending the scene reported that multiple low-level assaults were disclosed to them, tables and chairs were thrown, and embers of the audience were assaulted. Members of the security team and door staff who tried to intervene and break up the fights were also assaulted by being punched and struck with chairs and tables causing injuries.

It was then highlighted that Document 1 within the supplementary pack was a duty report from PC Weddell, giving her account of the incident

The Licensing Officer for Essex Police stated they wished for the interim steps to remain in place and welcomed the new lines of communication between the Police and the applicant.

Members, Licensing Officer for the Local Authority and the application were given an opportunity to ask questions to Essex Police. There were none from the Licensing Officer and the applicant.

The Chair of the Sub-Committee sought clarification that the Police were not looking to revoke the licence. It was confirmed that this was correct.

It was also confirmed that the applicant was in the process of complying with the police suggestion of CCTV to include face recognition.

Councillor Ralph sought as to the Boxing match being over sold. The Licensing Officer for the Police explained she was not aware of this being the case, however it would be in an officers statement if this was something they were told. However to her knowledge it was not fact.

The applicant, Mike Baden Chief Executive of Impulse Leisure, commented that he agreed with the conditions which had been placed on the licence and stated they were all to be completed as soon as possible.

Members, Essex Police and the Licensing Officer were given an opportunity to ask questions to the applicant. There were none from the Licensing Officer or Essex Police.

It was sought as to the applicant’s thoughts on the event being over sold. Mr Baden stated that he was not aware that this was the case.  Mr Clary commented that the event was not over sold as those in attendance was under the capacity of the Civic Hall and all risk assessments were met.

The Chair then moved on to closing summaries.

The Principal Licensing Officer provided a short summary to the Sub-Committee. He reminded Members of the Sub-Committee that tey had 2 decisions to make in relation to the application. 

The Licensing Officer for Essex commented that Boxing events could sometimes be unpredictable and if the Police had knowledge of the Boxing match then the fight afterwards, may have been prevented. She stated the Police wished for the interim steps to remain in place and welcomed the communications with the applicant.

The Applicant was given the opportunity to summary their case, during which the Chief Executive Impulse Leisure apologised for the incident and welcomed the conditions placed on the licence.

The Chair asked if there were any further questions, there were none.

The Sub-Committee adjourned at 10.20am for deliberation and were accompanied by the Legal Advisor and the Democratic Services Officer. 

The meeting reconvened at 10.45am.

RESOLVED That the Sub-Committee:

On the full review, modify the conditions to the license to include all of those conditions currently imposed by the interim steps, and also to include the CCTV condition proposed by the Police.

In respect of the decision whether to continue interim steps, it decided that it would do so. It also decided that a further interim condition should be imposed, namely, that no boxing events will be undertaken unless and until the CCTV condition proposed by the Police has been implemented.