The Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer confirmed that the Sub-Committee would comprise Councillors Derbyshire, Jeffree and Scudder.

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

RESOLVED –

that Councillor Jeffree be elected Chair for this Hearing.

There were no disclosures of interest.

Application for a new Premises Licence to allow alcohol sales for consumption on and off the premises between 1000 hours and 2230 hours each day.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Head of Community and Customer Services setting out details of an application for a new licence at the above premises. 

The Licensing Manager introduced the report.  The application was for on and off- sales of alcohol at a small cafe with 16 chairs and four tables.  The original application had been for 1000 to 2230 but had been amended to 1200 to 2230.  The application for a pavement licence would not be proceeded with.   The premises had not previously benefited from a licence but had had Temporary Event Notices (TENs).  There had been no enforcement action against the premises but officers had undertaken advisory visits.  The Police's concerns centred around the street drinkers in the vicinity, the Licensing Manager noted that the premises was located in a Designated Public Places Order zone.  Two representations had been received from interested parties and their concerns related particularly to match days and street drinkers.  He referred to the witness statement from the Police Community Support Officer which set out the concerns in detail.  Suggested conditions were contained in paragraph 9.6 of the report but the applicant’s operating schedule did not fully address the additional risks related to the locality.  These conditions were similar to those used for other premises in the area.  The Statutory Guidance asked applicants to take into account local risks.  The Licensing Manager noted that a representation had been submitted by Mr Blasi who owned a cafe in the area.  His cafe was not licensed and he made no reference to competition.

Councillor Derbyshire referred to the suggested conditions in 9.6 and 9.7 of the report which had been used for local off-licences.  He asked whether they were appropriate for this application which was for a restaurant.  The Licensing Manager confirmed that they had been used for nearby off-licences and that this application was for both on and off-sales of alcohol.  The Sub-Committee could, if they wished, modify the conditions as they considered appropriate to promote the licensing objectives.

Councillor Scudder noted the suggested condition in paragraph 9.6 relating to timings on match days.  He questioned whether the suggested times were logical as he felt that they were times when it was least likely that football fans would buy alcohol.  The Licensing Manager reiterated that the Sub-Committee could amend conditions as they felt appropriate.

Detective Sergeant Brown presented the representation for Hertfordshire Constabulary.  She read the representation at page 17.  She highlighted the additional information which had been circulated to support the representation.  This contained details of incidents in the area.  Personal details had been removed but the context was unchanged.  Many of the incidents in the area related to the off- sale of alcohol.  The Police wished to support local business and the on-sales of alcohol was quite acceptable.  However, off-sales were opposed.  She advised that the Police undertook a strict risk assessment for football matches and they worked closely with the local pubs.  Some match days were considered very high risk.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.