The Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer confirmed that the Sub-Committee would comprise Councillors G Derbyshire, P Jeffree and M Meerabux.

The Sub-Committee was asked to elect a Chair for the Hearing.

RESOLVED –

that Councillor G Derbyshire be elected Chair for this Hearing.

There were no disclosures of interest.

This report asks the Sub-Committee to consider an application for a review of the licence at the above premises.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Head of Community and Customer Services setting out details of an application by Hertfordshire Constabulary for a review of the premises licence for The Yellow and Red Lion, 105 Vicarage Road.

The Chair asked the parties present to introduce themselves.  Following a question from the Chair, Mr Josh Price confirmed that he was the Premises Licence Holder and that the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) was unavailable to attend.

The Licensing Manager introduced the report.  Hertfordshire Constabulary were seeking the revocation of the licence on the grounds that the following licensing objectives were being undermined:

·                                             the prevention of crime and disorder

·                                             the protection of children from harm

He reported that there were a large number of incidents for the Sub-Committee to consider, many of which related to Mr Price's ability to manage the premises.  Hertfordshire Constabulary considered it a high-profile venue, given its proximity to Vicarage Road Stadium.  It was alleged that there had been a failure to adhere to licensing conditions and to employ a DPS.  He highlighted that these were allegations at this stage and it was for the Police to demonstrate them on the balance of probabilities.  He drew the Sub-Committee’s attention to the powers they had which were set out at paragraph 9.6 of the report.  He referred to the conditions that the Police proposed be added to the licence should the Sub-Committee decide not to revoke it. He suggested that in relation to the condition about netting, the local planning authority should be consulted.

Representations had also been received from Environmental Health at Watford Borough Council and from Public Health at Hertfordshire County Council.

The Chair invited the Senior Environmental Crime Officer to make his representations.

The Senior Environmental Crime Officer advised that he dealt with illegal deposits of waste. He reported that he had had two dealings with Mr Price.  The first was a report of fly-tipping which contained evidence relating to the premises.  Following a change in the ownership of the premises, no formal action had been taken.  The second incident related to a large accumulation of tyres on the open land beside The Yellow and Red Lion.  He described his further dealings with Mr Price about the removal of the tyres.  A Litter and Refuse Clearing Notice was served and the tyres were later cleared, although some refuse remained.

Following a question from the Chair, the Senior Environmental Crime Officer advised that his representations related to the public safety and public nuisance licensing objectives.

Mr Price referred to the incident of fly-tipping. He noted that the name of the premises was clearly visible through the clear bags. He said that had he fly-tipped the waste, he would have taken care to remove the evidence.  It was not a large amount of waste for a public house and at the time the premises had permission to use the waste disposal facilities at Watford Football Club.

The Senior Environmental Crime Officer noted that it was possible that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.