Licensing Act Sub-Committee - Friday 6 February 2026, 11:00am - Folkestone & Hythe webcasting

Licensing Act Sub-Committee
Friday, 6th February 2026 at 11:00am 

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  1. Microphone A
  2. Microphone A
  3. Cllr Mike Blakemore
  4. Microphone A
  5. Cllr Paul Thomas
  6. Microphone A
  7. Cllr Tony Cooper
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  1. Cllr Tony Cooper
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  1. Microphone B
  2. Cllr Tony Cooper
  3. Cllr Tony Cooper
  4. Cllr Tony Cooper
  5. Mr Tim Hixon
  6. Cllr Tony Cooper
  7. SPEAKER
  8. Microphone B
  9. Microphone C
  10. Cllr Tony Cooper
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  1. Cllr Tony Cooper
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  1. Cllr Mike Blakemore
  2. Cllr Tony Cooper
  3. Cllr Paul Thomas
  4. Cllr Mike Blakemore
  5. Cllr Tony Cooper
  6. Cllr Tony Cooper
  7. Microphone B
  8. Cllr Tony Cooper
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  1. Cllr Tony Cooper
  2. Cllr Mike Blakemore
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  5. Cllr Tony Cooper

Microphone A - 0:00:00
Good morning. We will move to the first item, which is the election of chair.
Please can I have any nominations?
Microphone A - 0:00:06
Cllr Mike Blakemore - 0:00:09
I'd like to nominate Councillor Cooper.
Thank you. Do I have a seconder?
Microphone A - 0:00:13
Happy to second.
Thank you. All in favour?
Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:00:16
Thank you, Councillor Cooper. You've been appointed chair.
Microphone A - 0:00:18
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:00:24
Good morning and welcome to the meeting of the Licencing Subcommittee.
meeting. This meeting will be webcast live to the Internet. For those of you who do not
wish to be recorded or filmed, you will need to leave the Chamber. For members, officers
and others speaking at the meeting, it is important that the microphones are used so
viewers on the webcast and others in the room may hear you. With anyone with a mobile phone,

1 Election of Chair

please switch it off to silence as it can be distracting. I would remind members that
vote, we all have strong opinions on matters under consideration. It is important to treat
members, officers and the public speakers with respect.
Thank you.

2 Apologies for absence

3 Declarations of interest

4 Declarations of lobbying

Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:01:12
We have today an application by the Home Office regarding a licenced application.

5 An application for a Review of a Premises Licence in respect of: Sunshine Bistro

I believe you are speaking on behalf of the Hammersfors.
Yes I am. I can confirm that, yes.
Microphone B - 0:01:32
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:01:35
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:01:56
Thank you.
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:02:04
I just wasn't sure that there was a suggestion that there may be an application for adjournments.
I wasn't sure if the panel wanted to consider the views of those making representations
on that before we meet the substantial hearing.
Mr Tim Hixon - 0:02:22
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:02:23
I don't see any reason why we can't see any representations.
SPEAKER - 0:02:37
The reason for seeking an adjournment is fairly straightforward.
There is, as well as this home office application for review, we have also made an application
to transfer the licence and to transfer the DPS.
There were yesterday representations received from the police to oppose both transfers and
necessarily they'll have to then be a hearing to deal with that issue.
What I thought would be the sensible way to proceed would be to probably have all those,
all the issues dealt with by way of one hearing. And in the meantime, to try and clear up some of
the factual disputes that there isn't in relation to the police objections, because there are issues
in that that relate to the chronology of what's occurred that I think could actually just
be resolved by some informal discussion.
But what I don't want is to get caught up in a situation where if this application by
the Home Office succeeds and we then appeal, we then have that whole process of repeat
transfer applications, the appeal, an endless series of overlapping applications, probably
also with a new application for a new licence.
It seems to me much more straightforward and a better use of everyone's time simply to
deal with both the application for review and the application for transfer and the objections
to that all at the same time.
Because there was an overlap between the issues in any event.
And part of the basis for the police objections relates to,
in any event, the issue of crime and disorder,
and whether or not the new proposed licensee and proposed DPS
are sufficiently distanced from the current business
to be able to be effective in relation to their duties.
So there is going to be some overlap in terms of examining what occurred, why it occurred
and how it can be addressed.
And it seems to be most straightforward to just say let's deal with it all in one go.
Please put your hand up if you have any comments on that.
Microphone B - 0:05:28
Nothing further to add other than that I wish to proceed with the review hearing.
Good morning.
Microphone C - 0:05:42
I think that, you know, I do understand that there may well be issues in relation to the
objection or transfer aspect, but I see that as a secondary issue.
I think the main purpose of all parties being present is to hear the evidence in relation
to the immigration concerns and the police representation in support of that.
And I understand the wish for clarity to hold it all in one, but I think the initial concerns
have the magnitude that needs to be considered potentially separately so there's clarity
for every every party involved.
Thank you.
We shall adjourn for and consider the comeback in a second.
Thank you.
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:06:20
May the government adjourn.

5 An application for a Review of a Premises Licence in respect of: Sunshine Bistro

Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:06:25
I will be silent in the public interest to continue today.
Still time you very much.
Thank you.
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:06:38
Before we continue the meeting, can anyone of you trust to be clear?

3 Declarations of interest

Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:06:41
No, we trust.
No, we trust yourself.

5 An application for a Review of a Premises Licence in respect of: Sunshine Bistro

Cllr Mike Blakemore - 0:06:48
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:06:50
Given that we've restricted information, may I suggest that we go into private session?
We propose to go into private session.
Happy to second.
Cllr Paul Thomas - 0:06:58
Cllr Mike Blakemore - 0:07:00
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:07:02
.
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:08:06
Can I suggest that we give each individual organisation 30 minutes. If you need further
time after that, we'll continue and if you want to ask any questions, please feel free.
Is that okay? Everyone happy with that? Right. Mr Malle, if you want to keep the start, please.
Thank you, Chair.
Microphone B - 0:08:31
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:08:35
This is Report No. DC 2541 and this is an application for review of the premises licence
in respect to Sunshine Bistro. The report outlines the application made by Home Office
Immigration Enforcement for a review of the premises licence of Sunshine Bistro, Folkestone,
following enforcement action taken by them.
The licencing subcommittee must determine the outcome
for the application.
The committee is asked to consider the review application
for the premises licence.
When considering the application,
the committee must ensure they fully promote
the licencing objectives.
The committee is obliged to have regard
to the revised National Section 182 guidance
and the Council's own licencing policy.
The licencing subcommittee is asked to note
the contents of report DC25.

5 An application for a Review of a Premises Licence in respect of: Sunshine Bistro

Welcome back to the Wednesday committee.
Cllr Tony Cooper - 0:09:35
We've decided to rebuild the licence and reasons will be given in five days.
Thank you.