To receive apologies for absence.

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

There were no substitutes present at the meeting.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of Schedule 1, Schedule 2 or Other Interests from members of the committee in respect of items on the agenda

Councillor DW Greenow declared that he knew Nick Semper (agent for The Buttermarket application), Darren Sockett and Dennis Gwatkins but that they were not close personal associates.

Councillor PJ Edwards declared that he knew Nick Semper but that he was not a close personal associate.

Councillor KS Guthrie declared that she knew Darren Sockett but that he was not a close personal associates.

There were no other declarations of interest made.

To consider an application for a new premises licence in respect of The Butter Market, Maylord Street, Hereford, HR1 2DS.

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.

Fred Spriggs, Licensing Officer, who presented the report.

Members heard from Claire Corfield, Licensing, Travellers & Technical Support Service Manager, who was representing the licensing authority.   Ms Corfield set out that the licensing authority had received information about events which had been held without a premises licence or temporary events notices (TENS).   The licensing authority on receipt of the information had carried out a basic investigation and the results were set out in supplement one.   The licensing authority believed that the premises were operating events without TENS.   On this basis the licensing authority had concerns about a premises licence being granted with the current designated premises supervisor.    Ms Corfield clarified that there had been a separation of functions with regard to the member of staff determining the licence application. 

Members then heard from Nick Semper, agent for the applicant, and Natasha Dunlop, who was the designed premises supervisor.    As part of Mr Semper’s representation, the following points were made: 

·         Mr Semper outlined the history of the Buttermarket and indicated that Local businesses were key to the success of the Buttermarket.   

·         TENS had been applied for between February 2018 and July 2018.  

·         During this period of time, there had been no crime, disorder or anti-social behaviour

·         At the end of July, two TENS had been rejected.   At this point, Natasha Dunlop had taken over the licensing management of the Buttermarket

·         Ms Dunlop’s personal history was outlined which included the facts that she had previously worked in licensed premises and had undertaken licensing training.   Ms Dunlop would be returning to work for Herefordshire Council as a manager in children’s safeguarding. 

·         Ms Dunlop had taken responsibility for the submission of TENS since 6 August 2018.

·         Since 13 September 2018, Ms Dunlop had held a personal licence. 

·         Revised conditions had been approved by police.

·         The Buttermarket would only be operating during the day time and not during the night-time economy. 

·         With regard to the licensing authority’s serious reservations about Ms Dunlop’s ability to be able to run a premises, Ms Dunlop had a degree, had received licensing training and had obtained 100% pass mark when obtaining her personal licence.  

·         It was acknowledged that prior to August 2018, the level of knowledge may not have been sufficient, but the applicant had concentrated on marketing the Buttermarket. 

·         The application was not retrospective but was forward facing.

·         No evidence had been produced to evidence the sale of alcohol when no TENS was in place.

·         The applicant had requested on two occasions a meeting with the licensing authority and this had not happened.

·         Facebook posts did not represent prima facie evidence but was considered intelligence.   The photographs on the Facebook posts did not provide evidence of sales.   

·         The applicant maintained that when no TENS had been granted, then they believed that no sale by retail  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

To consider an application for a variation of a premises licence for in respect of Drovers Rest, Llanerch-y-Coed, Dorstone, HR3 6AG.

At the request of the applicant, this application was deferred until 11 January 2019 at 10.00 am.