To consider a representation against the interim steps imposed on 12^th April 2012 made by Flint Bishop LLP on behalf of Marston’s PLC the holders of the premises licence for ‘The Golden Fleece, 1 St.Owen Street, Hereford, HR1 2JB’.

Prior to the full review of the premises licence, the sub-committee were required to consider an application against the interim steps which had been received by the licensing authority on 4 May 2012.

The Licensing Officer presented the report and advised Members that at the expedited review hearing on 12 April 2012, the premises licence had been suspended and the Designated Premises Supervisor had been removed.

The sub-committee heard from Andrew Gough, who had made the representation on behalf of the premises licence holder, as well as James Mooney, representing West Mercia Police, who had requested the expedited review.

Mr Gough advised that any conditions imposed at the interim steps stage would remain in place during the time allowed to appeal the decision. He added that there had been a number of discussions with the Police and Licensing department in respect of conditions which could be attached to the licence and that agreement had been met regarding 9 conditions. He advised that the current Designated Premises Supervisor was currently being removed from the Golden Fleece and that the premises would be transferred to Marston’s PLC managed houses division. This would result in a higher level of support for the incoming tenant.

The Sub-Committee retired to make their decision. The Acting Principal Lawyer and the Democratic Services Officer retired with them to offer legal and procedural advice.

When the meeting was reconvened the Acting Principal Lawyer read out the decision of the sub-committee which resolved to lift the suspension of the premises licence whilst imposing a further 9 conditions as detailed below.

RESOLVED:

a          That the suspension of the premises licence imposed at the expedited review on 12 April 2012 be lifted.

b          That Mr Nathan Dimbylow be removed as the Designated Premises Supervisor of the premises.

c           That the following conditions be attached to the premises licence:

1.          CCTV will be provided in the form of a recordable system, capable of providing pictures of EVIDENTIAL QUALITY in all lighting conditions particularly facial recognition.  Cameras shall encompass all ingress and egress to the premises, fire exits, outside areas, and all areas where the sale/ supply of alcohol occurs.Equipment MUST be maintained in good working order , be correctly time and date stamped , recordings MUST be kept in date order, numberedsequentially and kept for a period of 31 days and handed to Police on demand.The Premises Licence Holder by delegation to the DPS must ensure that a member of staff is capable and competent at downloading CCTV footage in a recordable format EITHER DISC or VHS to the Police/Local Authority on demand.  The Recording equipment and tapes/discs shall be kept in a secure environment under the control of the DPS or other responsible namedindividual. An operational daily log report must be maintained endorsed by signature, indicating the system has been checked and is compliant, inthe event of any failings actions taken are to be recorded. In the event of technical failure of the CCTV equipment the Premises Licence holder or DPS MUST report the failure to the Police on contact number0300 333 3000 immediately.  

2.          An incident log must be kept at the premises, and made immediately available on request to an authorised Trading Standards Officer of Herefordshire Council or an 'authorised person’ (as defined by Section 13 of the Licensing Act 2003) or the Police, which must record the following:

            (a) all crimes reported to the venue

            (b) all ejections of patrons

            (c) any complaints received

            (d) any incidents of disorder

            (e) seizures of drugs or offensive weapons

(f) any faults in the CCTV system or searching equipment or scanning equipment

            (g) any visit by a relevant authority or emergency service

3.          All bar staff engaged in the sale of alcohol to be trained in Responsible Alcohol Retailing to the minimum standard of BIIAB level 1 or any othertraining recognised and agreed with Trading Standards. (All existing staff shall be trained within one month of the date that this condition appearson this licence. All new staff shall be trained within one month of taking up employed. All staff shall be re-trained six monthly thereafter. Trainingrecords shall be kept on the premises which shall show the name of the training course attended, the date of the training, the name of the personundertaking the training and shall be produced to the police, an authorised Trading Standards Officer of Herefordshire Council or an ‘authorisedperson’ (as defined by Section 13 of the Licensing Act 2003) on demand.

4.            The premises shall operate a Challenge 25 Policy. Such policy shall be written down and kept at the premises. The policy shall be produced on demand of the Licensing Authority, an authorised Trading Standards Officer of Herefordshire Council or Police. Prominent, clear and legible signage (in not less than 32 font bold) shall also be displayed at all entrances to the premises as well as at, at least once every 5 metres behind any bar advertising the scheme operated.

5.            A written register of refusals (or till based equivalent) will be kept including a description of the people who have been unable to provide required Identification to prove their age. Such records shall be kept for a period of 12 months and will be collected on a daily basis by the Designated Premises Supervisor and produced to the police or an ‘authorised person’ (as defined by Section 13 of the Licensing Act 2003) or an authorised Trading Standards Officer of Herefordshire Council on demand.

6.          The DPS will employ SIA doorstaff at times when a risk assessment dictates door supervision to be necessary.

7.          The Premises Licence Holder by delegation to the DPS or a person nominated by them in writing for the purpose, shall maintain a register of door supervisors (when required) which shall be kept on the premises showing the names and addresses of the door supervisors, their badge umbers and shall be signed by the door supervisors as they commence and conclude duty. The register shall be made available on demand for inspection by an ‘authorised person’ (as defined by Section 13 of the Licensing Act 2003), or the Police or an authorised officer of the SIA

8.          The premises shall be an active member of the HAND Scheme (Pub Watch) while such a scheme or similar exists.

9.          The Premises Licence Holder by delegation to the DPS will ensure that all staff understand their responsibilities to co-operate with the Licensing Authority, any other responsible authority and the Police as to any visit made to the premises by an authorised person or the police as a result of any complaint made regarding the premises.