To consider a representation made by Sarah Dean, the premises licence holder, against the interim steps imposed on 6 October 2010 following the expedited licence review of her premises licence for ‘The Crown & Sceptre Inn’, Market Place, Ross-on Wye, HR9 5NX.

The Regulatory Sub-Committee met to consider a representation made by Sarah Dean, the premises licence holder, against the interim steps imposed on 6 October 2010 following the expedited licence review of her premises licence for ‘The Crown & Sceptre Inn’, Market Place, Ross-on Wye, HR9 5NX.

The Chairman introduced the Members and Officers and asked any interested parties to introduce themselves. He advised them of the hearing procedures and asked if any party required an extension to the 10 minute time limit for public speaking, no extensions were requested.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report.

The Senior Litigator confirmed that Miss Dean understood the details of the report and requested that she ask for any items to be clarified throughout the meeting if the need arose.

Miss Dean addressed the Sub-Committee and drew their attention to the following four conditions that she proposed be added to her licence to address the concerns.

• 2 SIA registered door staff to be employed between the hours of 9pm and 12.30 am on Friday and Saturday night.

• A risk assessment to be carried out to extend these hours or to employ additional staff as required.

• Ensure that either the Premises Licence Holder or Bar Manager are within the licensed premises at all times of licensable activity.

• The outside area of the premises to be closed from 11pm on any evening

Mr Mooney, representing West Mercia Police, advised the Sub-Committee that he was satisfied that the proposed conditions would address the concerns of the police authority. He added that he had no objection to the suspension being lifted on the proviso that the conditions were enforced rigorously.

The Sub-Committee retired to make their decision, the Senior Litigator and the Democratic Services Officer also retired to assist them with procedural matters.

The Chairman advised all parties present that the Sub-Committee were satisfied that the premises could re-open subject to the implementation of the four conditions proposed by Miss Sarah Dean. However he noted that the Sub-Committee had considered the suitability of Sarah Dean as the Designated Premises Supervisor and advised that they had serious concerns regarding her ability to manage the premises satisfactorily in the medium to long term.

RESOLVED

That the Crown & Sceptre be permitted to re-open and that the premises licence be amended in accordance with the attached decision notice.

To consider an application for an expedited licence review of the premises licence relating to The Crown & Sceptre Inn, Market Place, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 5NX.

The Regulatory Sub-Committee was convened in order to determine an application for an expedited review of a premises licence for the Crown & Sceptre, Ross on Wye. The Review had been applied for by Superintendent Charles Hill, representing West Mercia Police. The review related to the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder.

The Chairman introduced the Members and Officers and asked any interested parties to introduce themselves. The following interested party was noted:

• James Mooney (Representing the Applicant for the Review)

The Chairman advised Mr Mooney of the hearing procedures and asked if he required an extension to the 10 minute time limit for public speaking, no extension to the time limit was requested.

The Licensing Officer presented his report. He advised Members that the Designated Premises Supervisor had received notification of the hearing. He added that an agenda had been sent to the home address of the DPS by recorded delivery.

In accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, James Mooney, representing West Mercia Police who had requested the review, addressed the sub-committee. He requested that the Sub-Committee suspend the premises licence in accordance with section 53A of the Licensing Act due to the high number of crime and disorder incidents that had occurred in or around the premises. This had culminated in a large scale disorder near the premises on Saturday 2 October 2010. He added that during the incident Police Officers had entered the premises and were obstructed from making an arrest by patrons of the public house, the front door of the premises had also been closed preventing additional Officers from entering the premises to assist their colleagues.

Mr Mooney advised Members that since January 2010 there had been 20 incidents of crime and disorder in or in the vicinity of the Crown & Sceptre which had resulted in 9 arrests.

In response to a question, Mr Mooney confirmed that the premises had been visited by the Police and the Council’s Licensing Officer in a joint visit on 15 September 2010. The purpose of this visit was to address concerns raised by the local policing team and to offer guidance and support to Miss Claire Dean who was in the process of taking over the lease from Mr Cousen, the Designated Premises Supervisor.

RESOLVED

That the premise licence in respect of The Crown & Sceptre, Market Place, Ross on Wye, HR9 5NX be suspended as an interim step pending a full review of the premises to take place within 28 days of the application date.