The Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer confirmed that the Sub-Committee would comprise Councillors K Crout, H Lynch and M Mills

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

RESOLVED –

that Councillor K Crout be elected Chair for this Hearing.

There were no disclosures of interest.

Report of the Head of Community and Customer Services

The Sub-Committee is asked to consider a variation to the licence at the above premises, following the receipt of representations.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Head of Community and Customer Services setting out details of an application for a variation to a premises licence by the Villiers Arms and details of the representations received.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report.  The application was to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol on and off the premises on Friday and Saturday nights and to extend the opening hours on these nights.  She outlined the hours sought.  The premises had had a justices’ licence under the old regime which had been transferred under the Licensing Act.  She noted that four valid representations have been received from interested parties.  These representations related to public nuisance.  The Applicant had also submitted 33 letters of support and a petition signed by 134 people.  Some of the letters and signatories were from non-residents of the Borough and it was for the Sub-Committee to decide what weight to attach to these documents.  The Applicant needed to satisfy the Sub-Committee that he would take necessary steps to address any concerns.  She referred the Sub-Committee to the licensing objectives and the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy.

Following a question from the Chair, the Licensing Officer explained that the conditions listed on page 7 had been agreed with the Police.

Mr Leighton Davies asked whether the Licensing Authority was representing against the application.  The Licensing Officer responded that the Licensing Authority had not made representations, but the Applicant was asked to consider what steps would be taken to address any concerns.

Mr Davies was asked to present his application to the Sub-Committee.

He explained his history at the premises which he had taken on in December 1989.  There were seldom many customers in his pub after 10 pm during the week.  Friday and Saturday nights were the most important for business.  He described the premises and the clientele, most of whom lived within walking distance.  He showed the Sub-Committee a photograph of the premises.  Mrs Dorothy Davies explained that the premises did not have Sky TV or other facilities which would appeal to young people.

Mr Davies highlighted that there had never been any problems at the pub, and the Police had never been called.  He had been surprised that representations had been received from neighbours.  There had been a decline in the number of customers in recent years.  Mrs Davies described the relationship they had with those who had objected to the variation.  She referred to the representations and noted it was not possible to determine where those creating a disturbance had been during the evening.

Mr Davies explained that the reason for this application was that his customers often wished to return to his pub after eating out and this was not possible with the current closing times.  Other licensed premises in the vicinity were able to remain open later.  He reiterated that on the whole the customers lived locally and were responsible.  He confirmed to the Sub-Committee that he was a responsible person and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.