Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To elect a Chair for the Licensing Sub-Committee.

Councillor L G J Kennedy was elected as the Chair of the Sub-Committee.

An application has been received from the Home Office (Immigration Enforcement) for a premises licence to be reviewed under the Licensing Act 2003. The premises is Mumbai Kitchen, 46 – 48 Bampton Street, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 6AH.

The licensing authority (Mid Devon District Council) must hold a hearing to determine the application.

An application had been received to consider a review of the premises licence for Mumbai Kitchen, 46-48 Bampton Street, Tiverton, Devon.  EX16 6AH.

The Chair introduced the Members of the Sub-Committee and officers that were present and explained the process for the Hearing. 

There were no declarations of interest.

The Licensing Sub-Committee agreed that the meeting should be heard in a public session although in light of the information and evidence submitted, it may be appropriate, at stages in the meeting, to pass a resolution under Section 100A (4) Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 that the press and public be excluded from the meeting on the basis that if they were present during the business to be transacted there would be a likelihood of disclosure of exempt information, as defined under the terms of the Act. If there were members of the public and press listening to the open part of the meeting, then the Democratic Services Officer would, at the appropriate time, ask participants to leave the meeting when any exempt or confidential information was discussed.

There would be no time limit for the speakers.

The Sub-Committee confirmed they had received and read the paperwork circulated in advance of the meeting.

The Licensing Officer outlined the contents of the report as follows:-

·       The premises 46-48 Bampton Street had been licensed under the Licensing Act since 2005.

·       Mr Joy Abraham (JA) was the current Premises Licence Holder and had been since 2020.

·       The Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), Mr Jamal Uddin Ahmed (JUA – DPS) had also been in that role since 2020.

·       The Premises License permitted the sale of alcohol as well as late night refreshments.

·       The Home Office (Immigration Enforcement) had submitted an application to review the Premises Licence on 24 September 2025 following two previous visits to the site.  The first of these was in September 2022 and the second was in November 2024.

·       During both of the visits the Home Office had identified issues with illegal working thereby potentially undermining the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective.  This had instigated the review application of the licence submitted previously.

·       The Review Pack submitted by the Home Office had provided more details about the issues identified in September 2022 and November 2024.

·       The first visit in September 2022 identified one individual working in breach of conditions.

·       The second visit on 14 November 2024 identified one person working in breach of conditions and another person working who did not hold the right to work.

·       A Sub-Committee was scheduled for 19 November 2025 and the parties due to attend that Hearing were also in attendance today, that being the Home Office (Immigration Enforcement) and the Licence Holder.

·       Additional information received had been submitted to Members of the Sub-Committee.

·       On 16 November, the Home Office visited the premises for a third time and found three people working illegally.  Two of those individuals were working in breach of conditions and a third person did not have the right to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.