To elect a Chairman for the hearing.

Councillor R.I. Matthews was elected as Chairman for the Regulatory Sub-Committee hearing.

To receive apologies for absence.

No apologies for absence were received.

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

There were no substitutes present at the hearing.

To consider an application for variation of the premises licence in respect of The Full Pitcher, The Wharfe, Ledbury, HR8 2EN.

Decision Notice

This is an application by the Full Pitcher to vary a Licence that has been converted under The Licensing Act 2003.

The variation sought is to permit the Licensable activities detailed in the agenda, namely sporting events, performances of music and dance, the provision of late night refreshment and to extend the hours during which alcohol is served.

The Panel has heard observations from the Police and representations from the Council's Environmental Health as well as representations and objections from the public who they are satisfied meet the criteria of interested parties.

In all cases the comments, observations and objections were, in our opinion relevant to the Licensing Objections.

We have taken careful note of these as well as what was said by the Applicant and we believe the Licence should be varied, in the following way:-

subject to the following conditions,

1. A suitable CCTV system including appropriate signage, approved by the police, to be installed by 1/1/2006
2. All Environmental Health conditions as sought to be included

We believe that by varying the Licence in this way the relevant objections of the prevention of crime and disorder, the protection of children from harm, the prevention of public nuisance and safety to the public can be achieved without outright refusal of the variation sought.

Comments of the Panel

“Ledbury is a small market town and a small community. It concerns us that people’s lives can be bought down by a few other residents. We would ask you to work with the residents, as it is not nice to be living nearby and subject to disruption. If there are any objections arising in the future we will fully support the actions of our officers and the police.”

I confirm that we have, in coming to this conclusion been mindful of the Council's own Licensing policy and we are satisfied this decision accords with that policy.