Now you see 'em now you don't
A "disappearing act" by a group of councillors during a licensing hearing at Tamworth in Staffordshire has left solicitors bewildered and a local club operator minus a public entertainment licence.
What appears to have been a behind-the-scenes political bust-up ended with the committee chairman and several colleagues walking out as the committee adjourned to discuss a PEL application. A reduced committee with a new chairman finally emerged to reject a PEL application for the first-floor premises of the town's Bond's Bar.
The bizarre goings-on during a routine licensing meeting could now result in lawyers applying to have the decision made void or lodge an appeal.
Solicitor Andrew Potts who represented the applicants said he had been totally flummoxed by the events of the evening.
"We are looking into the legal position because the committee which heard evidence during the hearing was not the same one which made the decision," Potts said.
"Who knows what would have been decided if the full committee had voted on the application."
The council however told Potts it believes the decision can stand as there was still a quorum present when the meeting resumed.
Morning Advertiser legal adviser Peter Coulson said the incident did not bode well for the future of licensing decisions under local authority control.
"There have been several stories from lawyers about the conduct of council licensing committees and these are likely to be the same sort of people who will deal with liquor licensing when the new system comes into effect next year," he said.
