To elect a Chairman for the hearing.

Councillor JW Hope MBE 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 receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on the Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To consider a full review of the premises licence relating to the Booth Hall, Hereford, following the Initial Expedited Review Hearing called by Kevin Purcell, Superintendent of the West Mercia Constabulary and represented by PC Stephen Gomer Thomas.

The Regulatory Sub-Committee was convened in order to determine an application for a review of a premises licence following and expedited / summary review of the Booth Hall, Hereford. The Review had been applied for by Superintendent Kevin Purcell, 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 parties were noted:

• Mr Richard Taylor (Premises Licence Holder’s Legal Representative)
• Mr Paul Hayley (Area Manager for Enterprise Inns)
• PC Steve Thomas (Representing the Applicant for the Review)

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 to the time limit were requested.

The Licensing Officer presented his report. He advised Members that on Monday 15 February the Licensing Authority had received an application to transfer the premises licence from Raymond John Crown to Enterprise Inns. He added that Enterprise Inns had terminated the leasehold agreement with Mr Crown and were now requesting, after consultation with west Mercia Police, that Mr Crown be removed as Designated Premises Supervisor for the Booth Hall.

The Senior Litigator advised all parties present that Mr Crown was not the subject of any criminal proceedings and that the ongoing police investigations related to two third parties who were no longer involved in the management of the premises.

In accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005, PC Steve Thomas, representing West Mercia Police who had requested the review, addressed the sub-committee. He advised Members that he was no longer requesting revocation of the licence subject to the removal of Mr Raymond John Crown as the Designated Premises Supervisor. This would ensure that the Booth Hall would remain closed until a suitable Designated Premises Supervisor could be appointed.

Mr Richard Taylor addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of Enterprise Inns. He gave members a brief description of the structure and history of the business and advised that Mr Crown had been the leaseholder for the Booth Hall since 1992. He confirmed that Mr Crown had been an excellent licence holder, a fact that was not disputed by West Mercia Police. He indicated that issues had arisen at the Booth Hall after Mr Crown had made an informal agreement with a third party to transfer the lease and the management of the Public House. Following these events Mr Crown’s lease had been terminated and Enterprise Inn’s supported the removal of Mr Crown as Designated Premises Supervisor.

The Chairman invited all of the parties present to sum up their comments in a brief closing statement. The Sub-Committee then retired to make their decision, the Senior Litigator and the Democratic Services Officer also retired to assist them with procedural matters.

RESOLVED

That the premise licence in respect of The Booth Hall, East Street, Hereford, be amended as detailed in the attached decision notice.