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 interest in respect of items on the agenda.

To consider an application for a grant of a premises licence in respect of Ross Conservative Function Room, Hillsborough House, The Avenue, Ross-On-Wye, HR9 5AW 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, published on 11 September 2024.

Prior to making its decision the Council’s Licensing Officer presented the report which outlined the options available to the Sub-Committee. Three representations were received from the Responsible Authorities: West Mercia Police, Trading Standards and Environmental Protection.  The conditions proposed by all Responsible Authorities have been agreed with the Applicant. Two relevant public representations had been received. The Licensing Officer summarised the application and provided an overview of the representations received.

The Sub-Committee heard from the public representative, Mr Barry Williams that:

•           They lived directly adjacent to the premises and had concerns that guests would socialise externally and create a noise nuisance for himself and other residents.

•           He was not opposed to live music or people having fun, but it was felt that extending the hours was an unnecessary burden on the residents and that the current gap between 3pm – 6pm was necessary for him and other residents to enjoy respite.

The Council’s Licensing Officer explained that under the Live Music Act of 2012, a licence was not required for live or recorded music for less than 500 people and would only come into force at 11:00 PM at night which also applied to enforceable noise conditions.

The Sub-Committee then heard from the applicant’s representatives; Ms Dawn Williams, Ms Laura Dobbs and Ms Adrian Jones that:

•           The club were not making changes to their opening hours and that they were merely    applying for the club to become more inclusive by opening their function room up for public use.

•           The club had submitted an FOI which revealed only one noise complaint had ever been received and this was due to an extractor fan, the issue was resolved promptly. This was in 2011.

•           It was explained that there were numerous car parking spaces for the public and their members to park in a nearby offices car park.

•           The club had always had a licence (Club Premises Certificate) until 12:30am but this was very rarely utilised and explained that normally on a Friday they would be closed by 11pm after skittles. 

The Council’s Licensing Officer confirmed the following conditions had been agreed:

1.         Noise or vibration shall not emanate from the premises so as to cause a nuisance.

2.         All doors and windows at the premises shall be kept closed after 2300 hours, except for immediate access and egress.

3.         Any speaker within the premises shall be directed away from any residential property.

4.         Prominent clear and legible signage no less than 32 front bold shall be displayed at all exits to the premises requesting the public to respect the needs of local residents and leave the premises quietly.

Following questioning by the Sub-Committee it was confirmed that:

•           A member of staff would always be on the premises.

•           That a new website had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

To consider an application for a grant of a premises licence in respect of Flames, 59a Commercial Road, Hereford. HR1 2BP 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 supplementary information published on 17 and 19 September 2024.

Prior to making its decision the Council’s Licensing Officer presented the report which outlined the options available to the Sub-Committee. One representation was received from the Responsible Authorities: West Mercia Police. The Licensing Officer summarised the application and provided an overview of the representations received.

The Sub-Committee heard from the representative of West Mercia Police, PC Kirsty Norris that:

•           The objection was raised due to the premises attracting considerable disorder during the night-time economy setting due to its late-night opening hours.

•           The premise formally known as Munchies had its licence revoked following a review brought by West Mercia Police and a decision made by the Licencing Sub-Committee in February 2024 on the grounds of crime disorder.

•           The disorder connected to this review occurred on the 15 and 29 December 2023.

•           Since revocation of the late-night licence, the Police submitted there had been a significant drop in disorder connected with the premises and its surrounding area. However, a further two incidents had been reported from the premises in March and July 2024.

•           Whilst the poor running of the premises previously can be partially blamed for some of the disorder, it was highlighted that the type of premises itself was not changing and was thought to attract the same clientele who cause the same issues regardless of who is running the premises. This was an application for a premises not for the applicant.

•           The new licence states the inclusion of SIA door staff, but it was noted that there were SIA staff previously which did not prevent the disorder.

•           It was highlighted that nowhere in the new licence application had the applicant stated what measures would be put in place to ensure further incidents did not occur, if staff had been changed, management or how they intended on dealing with any future issue of disorder should they reoccur. 

•           It was felt that these premises are unable to control the level of disorder associated with it and granting a late-night licence would prove detrimental for the night-time economy.

•           All conditions that were previously applied did not work and therefore, the only reasonable conclusion was that the licence must not be granted.

•           If the committee felt minded to grant the Licence a list of conditions was provided by the Police and attached as a supplement to the agenda pack.

Following questioning by the Sub-Committee it was confirmed that:

•           An explanation of the computer systems “Innkeeper” as used by the Police was provided and confirmation was given that the logs provided in the agenda pack referred to incidents at the premises to be known as “Flames”.

•           It was explained that the two incidents that took place in March and July 2024 were categorised as “positive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

To consider an application for a grant of a premises licence in respect of Hereford Premier Inn, Holmer Road, Holmer, Hereford.  HR4 9RS under the Licensing Act 2003.

This item was withdrawn following an agreement between the applicant and responsible authorities.