Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Chairman of the Sub-Committee for the meeting.

Councillor B. Fitzsimon had been appointed Chairman for this meeting.

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) considering an application for a variation of premises licence at the Coach and Horses Public House, 61 Newgate Street, Hertford.

Introduction and Procedure

The purpose of the meeting was to consider an application for the review of the premises licence currently in place at the Coach and Horses Public House, 61 Newgate Street, Newgate Street Village, Hertford. The premises is located in a central location within this village and is bordered at the rear and front aspects by residential properties.

The Licence is held by Deborah Michelle Davis. The application was received by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Licensing Department on the 22 March 2021. The variation application has since been amended by the applicant.

Documentary Evidence

A copy of the Licensing Officer’s report, the premises licence, resident’s written representation, application for review of the license and a site location map had previously been circulated.

Report of the Licensing Officer

The Licensing Officer presented his report on an application which had been received from the Applicant under the Licensing Act 2003 for a variation of the premises license. The Licensing hearing was a result of the Council receiving 24 formal written relevant representations against the proposed variation within the 28 day consultation period. The representations against have been submitted under the Licensing Act 2003 on the statutory grounds of a) Prevention of public nuisance; b) Prevention of Crime and Disorder and c) Public Safety.

The amended and current application to vary the Licence being considered was as follows:

1.) To amend the licensing plan in accordance with the drawing which accompanies the application namely to add an external serving bar in the beer garden to be included within the premises licensed area. Sale of alcohol from the external bar area shall be permitted Sunday to Thursday until 2200hrs and Friday to Saturday until 2300hrs.

2.) To remove certain existing Annex 2 conditions namely: 1. The carpark shall be lit during opening hours. 2. Firefighting equipment shall be serviced and maintained regularly by a reputable company. 3. No children will be allowed in the bar area.4. Gaming machines shall be located in the bar area. 5. A non-smoking area shall be provided for children.

3.) To reword an existing condition on the Operating schedule namely 1. That the manager or Designated Premises Supervisor shall be an active member of Pubwatch to be reworded to The Premises shall be an active member of Pubwatch where such a scheme exists.

4.) To remove conditions agreed with Environmental health namely. 1. The designated carpark shall be used for that purpose and no other use. 2. All exit doors shall be regularly checked to ensure they function correctly and that any fastenings on such exit doors shall be removed when members of the public and staff are present on the premises. 3. Any battery supplying the emergency lighting shall be checked daily before the public is admitted to the premises.

The Licensing Officer advised that 24 objections were from residents who live close to or border the premises and the other representations were from Hatfield Town parish Council and Environmental Health (Environmental Health withdrew their representation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.