Issue - meetings

The Chairman summarised the procedure for the Sub-Committee hearing. All those present were introduced or introduced themselves.

The Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer presented his report covering an application for a variation of a premises licence under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. The Sub-Committee was advised that on 8 February 2021, Tesco Stores Ltd submitted an application for a variation of a premises licence at Tesco, Bishops Park Centre, Lancaster Way, Bishop’s Stortford. The application sought approval to vary the current premises licence by extending the supply of alcohol to 24 hours a day and to amend a condition relating to barriers to the car park.

Members were advised that the applicant had proposed a number of steps that could be taken to promote the four licensing objectives, including, but not limited to the provision of comprehensive staff training and the presence of store managers at all times when the store was open. The applicant had agreed further conditions with the Police, including the retention of CCTV footage for an increased timescale of 31 days, a Challenge 25 policy and the discouragement of customers having open vessels or loitering on site.

The Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer said that the report covered the East Herts statement of licensing policy and the revised guidance under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. The Sub-Committee should determine the application with a view to promoting the four licensing objectives and Members must consider if the applicant had evidenced whether the application would not undermine the licensing objectives and this should be balanced against the evidence given by interested parties.

The Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer said that four representations from interested parties had been received which engaged the prevention of public nuisance, public safety and prevention of crime and disorder licensing objectives.

He also said that if the Sub-Committee believed that the licensing objectives would not be undermined then the application should be granted. Members were advised that if they believed that the application would not promote the four licensing objectives, they should take appropriate and proportionate action to address these concerns. The Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer said that the Sub-Committee could attach conditions, limit the hours or restrict licensable activities. The application should only be refused as a last resort and the Members’ decision should be evidence based, justified, appropriate and proportionate.

The Chairman asked the Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer whether the condition relating to the car park barriers would fall under the remit of the Sub-Committee, or whether this would be a matter for Planning.

The Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer said that the Sub-Committee could attach conditions relating to the barriers, but Planning would also have jurisdiction over the matter.

Councillor Page, attending as an interested party and ward Councillor, asked whether the licence applied solely to the supermarket, or also to the petrol filling station. The Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer said that the licence would only apply to the supermarket.

Tesco’s Licensing Manager (the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44