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 grant of a premise licence in respect of Shires Park, Ullingswick, Herefordshire. HR1 3JE under the Licensing Act 2003.

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 and the background papers.

This application was part-heard by the sub-committee on 21 April 2021 and was adjourned to allow a site visit to take place on 7 May 2021. 

The technical licensing officer presented the report.     

It was noted that the Herefordshire Council Statement of Licensing Policy 2020 to 2025 had been updated to include “All representation must be ‘relevant’, for example they must be about the likely effect of the grant of the application”.  This followed paragraph 8.57 in the s182 Guidance which uses the same wording.

The sub-committee first heard from environmental protection who highlighted the following:

·         The premises were a new start up, catering for caravanning and the applicants would like to operate a small store for on and off trade sales. 

·         Supplement 3 which had been published in respect of the meeting held on 21 April 2021 and formed part of the agenda pack for the meeting on 18 May 2021 showed the distance of individual building locations in relation to the licensable area.   

·         It was not clear where entertainment would be taking place.

·         It was noted that outdoor entertainment had been now been removed from the application for the licence.

·         The area for licensable activity had now been reduced.

·         The premises were in a rural location and the applicant had not recognised that there would be low background noise and there was little mention of close neighbours.

·         There was a lack of clarity with regard to licensable activity which included likely numbers, frequency, whether the public could visit or if customers had to stay on site.  Without this information, then public nuisance was likely to be of concern.

·         Following further discussions with the applicant, environmental protection withdrew their representation prior to the meeting held on 18 May 2021.

The sub-committee then heard from the public representations:

·         The concerns from the parish council which were attached as part of the public representations were read out.

·         There was no knowledge of Claire Thompson and Diane Thompson had no personal licence so it was questioned whether a premises licence could be granted.

·         There were concerns that this would lead to the development of an event management business.

·         The barn had already been turned into a shower block

·         Given the location of the premises, the noise would carry significantly.

·         It was acknowledged that the issue of outdoor music had been addressed.

·         There was no clarity as to whether this would turn into a party venue or a mini festival venue.

·         This was a very open application with very little detail.

·         A member of the public read out their representation which was attached to the agenda. 

·         It was acknowledged that the music condition had been withdrawn from the application but there was still concern as the area was quiet and peaceful.

The sub-committee then heard from the applicant’s agent who highlighted that:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.

To consider an application for a grant of a premise licence in respect of Izzy’s Café, Wye Valley Visitor Centre, Symonds Yat West, Ross-on-Wye. HR9 6DA.

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 and the background papers.

The principal licensing officer presented the report.

Following a query from a member of the sub-committee, it was confirming that the licensing team had no records of public nuisance and confirmed that the police had chosen not to make a representation in connection with the prevention of crime and disorder objective.

The member of the public who had put in a notice of intention to speak at the sub committee was unable to attend due to business commitments.  The clerk to the sub-committee read out the further points that they wished to be taken into account:

1)             There are no emergency contact details in the conditions.  Communication with the Wye Valley Visitor Centre out of trading hours has been extremely difficult over the last 15 years so I know that would not be an option if problems occur.  It would be helpful to have a telephone contact in case of emergencies over at the centre – given it has never traded after 6pm on the site.

2)         Within the requirement for signage asking for guest to respect the local residents – there is not requirement that there is safe dispersal away from the site managed by a human.  Within the 30 minute time between the end of the licensing hours 11pm and the closure 11.30pm there should be a condition – that can be added to the proposed Log Book – requiring a DPS to check all guests have vacated the area and WC facilities and the Wye Valley Visitor Centre as a whole.

3)         There is no CCTV requirement to monitor issues on the large site that is Wye Valley Visitor Centre.

Finally I feel that although “Overprovision” is not an area that is looked at as part of the Licensing objectives – due to the huge Overprovision of Premise Licenses within this parish – it is the responsibility of the Herefordshire Council & Licensing Sub Committee to ensure that by granting the license there is NO RISK to increase in Public Nuisance, Crime & Disorder.  Is the Sub Committee absolutely certain that their decision will not add to our existing problems in this area. 

The sub-committee then heard from the applicant:

·         Most of points that they wish to raise had been put into the letter which was attached as an appendix to the agenda pack. 

·         The majority of the representations had been received from the Old Court Hotel which was directly opposite the café. 

·         The business was a day time business and would be closed 6.00 pm as the rest of the site closed at that time

·         The request for a late night refreshment licence was if there was a request to host a function or open for longer on a bank holiday.

·         They will not be opening a late night drinking establishment.

·         They currently lose customers because they  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.