To confirm the Chair of this Sub-Committee for the duration of this hearing.

Councillor Taylor proposed Councillor Ottino as Chair; Councillor Jupp seconded.

Councillor Ottino was elected as chair for the duration of this hearing.

None.

None.

The hearing procedures are attached.

The Sub-Committee noted the relevant procedure for the hearing. 

The Sub-Committee is asked to determine Underground Bar’s application, taking into account the details in the report and any representations made at this Sub-Committee meeting.

Yola Kucel, applicant, and Jon Payne, Solicitor, joined the meeting.

Alex Bloomfield, Licensing Officer for Thames Valley Police, joined the meeting.

The Chair welcomed attendees. The Sub-Committee and officers introduced themselves.

The Chair outlined the procedure for the hearing.

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer presented the case to the Sub-Committee noting the requirement to determine an application submitted by Yola Kucel for a New Premises Licence in respect of Underground Bar, 29-31 George Street, Oxford for the following licensable activities:

Live Music (provided indoors only):

• Monday to Friday 17:00 hours to 23:00 hours
• Saturday and Sunday 12:00 hours to 23:00 hours

Recorded Music (indoors only), Sale of alcohol (on sales only):

• Monday to Thursday 12:00 hours to 02:30 hours
• Friday and Saturday 12:00 hours to 03:00 hours
• Sunday 12:00 hours to 02:00 hours

Furthermore, the Sub-Committee understood that the application also requests an additional one hour for all licensable activities on the day before and day of UK bank holidays. These details were enclosed in appendix one.

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer explained that the application had attracted a representation from Thames Valley Police, as enclosed in appendix two, and from an Interested Party (or other person), as enclosed in appendix three. The Sub-Committee understood that the representations highlighted concerns relating to how the application may fail to promote the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance and public safety. The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer also informed members that the application had attracted a comment in support and a comment suggesting additional security measures, as enclosed in appendix four.

The Sub-Committee noted a map detailing the premises and the surrounding area, as enclosed in appendix five.

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer reminded the Sub-Committee that Oxford City Council had adopted a Special Saturation Policy in respect of the City Centre and East Oxford as detailed within the Statement of Licensing Policy, with the most recent dated from April 2022 which expired in April 2025. The Policy may be reconsidered later, but for the purpose of the meeting, it was confirmed that there is no Special Saturation Policy (SSP) in force.

The Sub-Committee were also reminded of other relevant considerations including:

1. Responsibilities under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act to consider the fair balance between the interests of the applicant and the rights of local residents; any decision taken must be necessary and proportionate to the objectives being pursued.
2. Any decision taken under the Licensing Act 2003 mut be taken with the view to promoting the licensing objectives.
3. When considering any representations, only those issues relating to the four licensing objectives should be considered and appropriate weight given to the importance and relevance of each representation.
4. The Home Office statutory guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and the Council’s own Statement of Licensing Policy.

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer summarised by requesting that the Sub-Committee reach one of the following decisions which they feel is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.