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 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.