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.

To consider an application for a variation of a premises licence in respect of McDonalds Restaurant, Belmont Road, Hereford. HR2 7HB.

Members of the licensing sub-committee from the council’s planning and regulatory committee considered the above application, full details of which appeared before the Members in their agenda, the background papers and the supplement published on 14 October 2020.   

The technical licensing officer presented the report.     

The sub-committee heard from West Mercia Police who highlighted 

·         That the premises were located south of the Hereford City and next to a residential area and hotel.   West Mercia Police have a local office for police to work from close by.

·         There had been a high level of anti-social behaviour at or near the business which had impacted on quality of life of residents.

·         The anti-social behaviour had not occurred within the licensable hours of the premises and the police were aware that these incidents may or may not be considered by the sub-committee.

·         The incidents which had occurred involved youth anti-social behaviour, stone throwing, causing minor property damage, noise nuisance, boy racers,  adult drunkenness; reports of domestic issues; road safety issues (queuing on the A465 [Belmont Road] to access the drive-thru)

·         There had been a history of contact with the manager of the premises to highlight the concerns. 

·         There was no consistency from managers at the premises as to how these incidents were dealt with and it was compounded by the inability of staff members to do deal with them or knowledge of how best to deal with such incidents.

·         The majority of the incidents were youth related and occurred in the late afternoon / evening.  There had been 5 incidents which had occurred after 2300hrs.

·         There had been a meeting with police and if the applicant were to agree to a terminable hour of 0200 hrs, the police would support the application.   The applicant had also offered other conditions which included short notice of employment of SIA staff.  The police would be content to discuss additional conditions with the applicant.   The applicant owned a number of other premises in the country and had similar conditions in place.

·         During the last 12 months there had been no issues with anti-social behaviour. 

·         The police felt reassured by the current management and had been assured that there would be no repeat of previous occurrences.  

·         There was a commitment to an open dialogue between police and applicant and listening to the community.

The ward councillor for Hinton and Hunderton who had made a public representation highlighted the following:

·         The premises were in a residential area

·         There were 40 to 50 houses in the immediate vicinity

·         There were adjourning neighbouring properties to the premises which were separated by a low fence and a row of trees.  

·         There was a long ongoing history of noise disturbance.

·         There were high levels of anti-social behaviour which included vehicles.

·         It was acknowledged that the premises could not control customers purchasing from the premises and then parking up nearby with their music blaring.   However, by virtue of being open, the issues would continue.

·         One nearby resident who had lived in the area for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88.

To consider an application for a variation of a premises licence in respect of Brewery Inn, Bye Street, Ledbury. HR8 2AG.

This item was withdrawn from the sub-committee’s agenda as the representations had been agreed between the parties.

To consider an application for a new premises licence in respect of Bromyard Service Station, 1 The Bypass, Bromyard, Herefordshire. HR7 4DJ.

Due to a technical issue, this item would be considered at the meeting of the licensing sub-committee due to be held at 10.30 am on 27 October 2020.