THE OLD COURTHOUSE, CASTLE DITCH, CAERNARFON
To consider the above application
Minutes:
1.
APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE – Yr Hen Gwrt,
Caernarfon
On behalf of the premises: Ms Moira Hartley
(applicant)
Mr
Ian Williams, (North Wales Police)
a)
The Licensing Department's Report
Submitted – the
report of the Licensing Manager giving details of the application for a
premises licence for Yr Hen Lys, Pen Deitsh, Caernarfon. The applicant had been made for the purpose
of selling alcohol on and off the premises; showing films and plays; recorded
and live music, any other entertainment and late-night refreshments.
Attention was
drawn to the details of the licensed activities and the proposed hours in the
report. It was noted that the Licensing Authority officers had sufficient
evidence that the application had been submitted in accordance with the
requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and the relevant regulations.
Reference was made
to the measures recommended by the applicant to promote the licensing
objectives along with the responses received during the consultation period. It
was highlighted that these objectives would be included on the licence.
It was noted that
two observations had been received, one by North Wales Police recommending that
the applicant installs a CCTV system on the premises and uses door supervisors,
and one by the Fire Service.
In considering the application, the following procedure was adhered to:-
·
Members of the
Sub-committee and the applicant were given an opportunity to ask questions of
the Licensing Manager.
·
The applicant was invited
to expand on the application
·
Consultees were given an opportunity to present
their observations
·
The licensee, or his/her
representative, was invited to respond to the observations
·
Members of the
Sub-committee were given an opportunity to ask questions of the licensee.
·
Members of the
Sub-committee were given an opportunity to ask questions of the consultees
b)
In expanding on the application, the applicant
noted that she was happy with what had been presented.
She added the following observations:
·
She intended to install a
closed circuit television system
·
She accepted the Police's recommendation to employ
door supervisors for individual events only
·
A site visit with the Fire Service and the
Council's Estates Officer had been beneficial
·
Further discussions were required regarding the
lighting of the escape route
·
That furniture would be
placed on the street to attract customers to the building
c)
Exercising his right to speak, an officer from the
Police confirmed that the Police had no objection to the application. He added that conditions had been proposed to
the applicant and that they would need to be formalised. They had proposed a
condition relating to the installation of CCTV on the premises as well as the
use of door supervisors. It was highlighted that the applicant had stated in
section M(b) of the application, ‘Licensed door supervisors on duty for all
events’. The Police were of the view that door supervisors would not be
required for all events, considering the nature of the events that would be
held on the premises. Consequently, the applicant would be required to assess
individual events before deciding whether door supervisors were needed. The
following condition was proposed, ‘Each event will be risk assessed to
establish whether door supervisors are required’. It was suggested that a
condition relating to operating the Challenge 25 scheme rather than Challenge
21 be imposed on the licence. It was confirmed that the applicant had agreed to
accept those conditions on the licence.
ch) It was reported that the original response
by the Fire Service, received on 16 August, stated that the premises did not
comply with fire precautions; specifically because the emergency escape route
at the rear of the building led to a locked gate behind the Council's
Headquarters building. Following a site survey with the applicant and the
Council's Estates Officer on 21 August, confirmation had been received that the
Fire Service were withdrawing their objections to the application. The Estates
Officer had agreed that changes would be made to a fence panel so that it could
be easily opened without a key. This would ensure a clear escape route in the
event of a fire emergency.
In response to the Members' concern
about the escape route, the applicant noted that it was intended to hold
further discussions regarding the lighting of the path that is located behind
the Council buildings.
d)
The applicant withdrew from
the room whilst the Sub-committee members discussed the application.
dd) In reaching its decision, the
Sub-committee considered the application form submitted by the applicant,
written observations submitted by interested parties, the Licensing Officer's
report, as well as the verbal comments from the applicant at the hearing. The
Council's Licensing Policy and the Home Office guidelines were also considered.
All considerations were weighed up against the licensing objectives under the
Licensing Act 2003, namely:
i.
Crime and Disorder prevention
ii.
Public nuisance prevention
iii.
Ensuring public safety
iv.
Protection of children from harm
RESOLVED to approve
the application
It was considered
that the observations by the Police were not in objection to the application,
but that they rather recommended that additional conditions be imposed in
relation to CCTV, the Challenge 25 scheme and the use of door supervisors.
These conditions were proposed in order to promote the licensing objectives of
preventing crime and disorder, and the protection of children from harm and it
was confirmed that the applicant agreed to them. The observations of the North
Wales Fire Service were not considered at the meeting, as they had been
withdrawn.
The Sub-committee was satisfied that the licence application as amended,
with the inclusion of the proposed conditions by North Wales Police, was in
line with the licensing objectives.
The Solicitor reported that the decision would
be confirmed formally by letter and sent to everyone present.
Supporting documents: