The officers consider that the following item or items contains exempt information as provided for in the Local Government Access to Information Act and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. The Committee is recommended to agree the necessary resolutions excluding the public from the meeting during consideration of these items. At the time this agenda is published no representations have been that this part of the meeting should be open to the public.

A recommendation was made that the public be excluded during consideration of the following items of business.

Decision

To exclude the public during consideration of the following items which involved consideration of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of particular persons, and public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

The report of the Head of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

The Hearing Panel considered the content of the report and the written and oral representations made by the Licensing Unit officer and MK.

A Licensing Unit officer informed the Hearing Panel that MK was under investigation by the Police for an allegation of a serious nature and gave details of the allegation. The Licensing Unit Officer explained that the Licensing Unit had suspended MK’s Licence due to the allegation.

MK addressed the Hearing Panel to give their version of events stating that they had become involved with a family who were feuding. This family saw MK as a scapegoat and felt that the allegation would help explain the outcome of a difficult family situation.

During questioning it was confirmed that MK was due to be interviewed by the Police imminently.

In their deliberations, the Hearing Panel thought it necessary to keep the current suspension in place until such time that a verdict had been reached on the matter.

Decision

To suspend MK’s licence for a duration of 3 months.