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 a new premises licence application under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003. The Sub-Committee was advised that on the 29 October 2020, an application was received for a location known as at Waterbridge, Frogmore Hill, Watton at Stone.

The Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer said that the application sought a number of licensable activities including the performance of plays, the exhibition of films and live and recorded music. The hours applied for were Friday to Sunday between 10 am and 11 pm and the applicant had also applied to supply alcohol on the premises between 11 am and 11 pm. The application was for numerous events between May and September 2021.

The Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer said that steps to promote the licensing objectives had been included with the application and these included the use of SIA door staff and stewarding, CCTV and an incident book. The Sub-Committee was advised that all events would be seated and entry to the site would be staggered. A challenge 25 policy would be in use and there would be a prohibition of certain items being brought onto the site.

The Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer said that event and fire risk assessments would be in place and volume levels would be limited and monitored on the site and no glass bottles or cups would be permitted. Members were advised that all of these steps would be supported by conditions as agreed with Environmental Health Officers.

The Sub-Committee was advised that family entertainment in the form of outdoor cinema, theatrical performances, live and DJ music and comedy and events would be held on 2 days every other weekend between 1 May 2020 and 27 September 2021, except for the August Bank Holiday weekend and the following weekend of the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th September.

The Senior Specialist Licensing Officers said that during the consultation period there had been a representation from the police acting as a responsible authority. The concerns of Hertfordshire Constabulary related to the number of proposed events and the intended numbers due to be present. The police were also concerned about the impact of traffic, noise and litter on the neighbouring area. The Sub-Committee was advised that the licensing objectives relating to the prevention of public nuisance, prevention of crime and disorder and public safety were all triggered by the police objection.

The Sub-Committee should determine the application with a view to promoting the four licensing objectives and if Members believed that the application would not undermine the licensing objectives, it should be granted as requested. If the Sub-Committee believed that the application would undermine the licensing objectives, it was within the remit of Members to take appropriate and proportionate steps to address their concerns.

The Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer said that the application could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25