Councillor A Seldon was elected as Chairman for the Regulatory Sub-Committee hearing.

To receive apologies for absence.

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

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on the agenda.

To consider an application for Review of a Premises Licence following the Expedited/ Summary Licence Review and Representation against the Interim Steps In respect of ‘The Ducking Stool, 11 South Street, Leominster, HR6 8JA.

The Chairman introduced the Members and Officers and asked any interested parties to introduce themselves. The following interested parties were present: Chief Inspector Adam Thomas and Jim Mooney representing West Mercia Police, Heath Thomas representing the premises licence holder, Janet Morris, Premises Licence holder of the Ducking Stool, Councillor J Bartlett Ward member.

The licensing officer, Fred Spriggs presented the report.

There was a discussion between all present regarding the premises licensing history of the premises

Councillor Bartlett made representation on behalf of South Street residents Association making a number of comments including the following:

·         There appear to be issues with late night opening during Friday and Saturday nights.

·         Residents do not want to see the closure of the premises

·         Premises do have an impact on residents lives

·         Supports interim reduction in hours

·         Would like clarification regarding end of licensing activities.

·         Outside area is often used outside the licensing hours

·         Residents  are seeking assurances that  any future issues are dealt with swiftly and escalated

·         The ward member supports the continuation of the premises but also  support the views of residents

At 12:30 The Chairman made the decision to exclude the public

The Committee retired at 13:50 to deliberate on their decision

The Committee reconvened at 14:20 – with members of the public invited

Having carefully considered those matters brought before them and in reaching their decision, the Members had full regard to both the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 (as amended by the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006), the Guidance Issued under Section 182 and the guidance issued under Section 53A of the Licensing Act 2003 as amended and the Council’s Licensing Policy. 

DECISION

The committee decided that the licence should be modified and that:

The operating hours for licensable activities on Friday and Saturdays will terminate at 0030 hours.

Conditions

The following conditions shall be amended on the licence to read:

1.      A personal licence holder shall be on the premises from 2100hrs to end of licensable hours on Friday, Saturdays, all bank holidays (except Christmas day) and all Sundays before bank holiday Mondays

2.      The appointed security team shall meet the satisfaction of West Mercia Police and Herefordshire Council Licensing Authority.

3.      On Fridays, Saturdays, all bank holidays (except Christmas Day), New Years Eve and all Sundays before bank holiday Mondays, one (1) SIA Licensed Door person shall be employed at the premises from 2100 hours and one(1) further SIA Licensed Door person shall be employed at the premises from 2300 hours. Both shall be employed until the termination of licensable activities with one of them being deployed at the main entrance.

4.    At all other times other than as shown in condition 3, the Premises Licence Holder or DPS or a person nominated by them in writing for the purpose will employ SIA doorstaff on a risk assessed basis. The risk assessment shall be in writing and shall be made immediately available on request to an ‘authorised person’ (as defined by Section 13 of the Licensing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Decision notice in relation to Regulatory Sub-Committee meeting of the 6 February 2015