To receive apologies for absence.

To receive any details of Members nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the committee.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on the agenda.

To consider an application for a variation of a premises licence in respect of ‘St Owen’s News, 53a St Owen Street, Hereford, HR1 2QW.

The licensing officer reported that the premises licence holder had requested a three week deferment.    The committee unanimously agreed to a deferment.

RESOLVED

That the application for a variation of a premises licence in respect of St Owens News, 53a St Owen Street, Hereford, HR1 2QW be deferred.  

To consider an application for a new premises licence in respect of ‘The Treacle Mine, St Martins Street, Hereford, HR2 7RG’.

Members of the licensing sub committee of the council’s planning and regulatory committee considered the above application, full details of which appeared before the Members in their agenda and the background papers.

Prior to making their decision the members heard from Fred Spriggs, licensing officer and Sergeant Duncan Reynolds, West Mercia Police   Members also heard from the applicant and the public representatives, Mr Andrew Catley, Ms Jane Smith and ward councillor, Chris Chappell.  

Background

They heard from Sgt Duncan Reynolds that the police were objecting on basis of lack of on-street parking and concerns in relation to both noise and crime and disorder. The area had a history of boy racers congregating in the vicinity of the premises. However, the applicants had engaged with the police and environmental health resulting in some agreed conditions and reduced terminal hours.  On the basis of these changes, the police were withdrawing their objections. When answering questions from members, the police confirmed there was not a current issue with boy racers. The withdrawal of objection was both on the basis of conditions and changes agreed but also having regard to the other statutory powers coming forward. A public place protection order was being put in place in this area that could be used to prevent on street drinking and the police also had dispersal powers. Sgt Reynolds clarified that parking issues were now only enforced by the police in limited circumstances i.e. where the parking was obstructing a driveway or preventing access to emergency vehicles.

The committee heard from the Councillor Chappell  (ward councillor) who outlined the history of the area and that it had been a location attracting anti-social behaviour including boy racers, prostitution and people urinating in the nearby memorial park. This had been caused by its location rather than the previous public house. The councillor was concerned that the residents should not have to be exposed to further disturbance and problems and was sceptical that the serving staff on the premises would be able to deal with persons congregating and causing a nuisance and engaging in anti-social behaviour outside. In response to further questions from members of the committee he had not investigated whether there were current issues in the memorial park.

They heard from two residents. Jane Smith was a local resident who lived within 100 metres of the premises and had done so for in excess of 10 years. They had moved after the previous issues with boy racers had been resolved. She said that parking was a problem and the conditions proposed meant the delivery drivers could still park outside her house. There were only 10 spaces, 5 were for permits and showed photos she had taken showing parking issues. These were not dated and did not have times on them. They had experienced an instance of dangerous driving caused by a delivery driver from the premises being unable to get out and driving over the pavement. In addition family members had been verbally abused when  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.