Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 2021 were agreed by the members present and then signed by the Chairman.

To receive any apologies for absence

There were no apologies for absence

To receive any declarations of interest

There were no declarations of interests

The Sub-Committee were required to consider an application to a premises licence for the following premises:

Orange Buffalo

Unit A2, Riverside Shopping Centre

Hemel Hempstead

Hertfordshire

HP1 1BT

The Chairman asked if all legal requirements had been complied with.  S Mcdonald confirmed they had.The Chairman asked J. Byiers to introduce the report.

the application was for a grant of a premises licence for a restaurant and bar with a small seating area to the front, at Unit 2A Riverside Hemel Hempstead.  The application sought to provide regulated entertainment, late night refreshment and sale by retail of alcohol.

During the consultation period 1 representation had been received with the key issues being the impact on residents living nearby as a result of later opening, the playing of recorded music for customers in the outside areas, and concerns around service to the outside tables, particularly the use of disposable products which may harm the local environment. This representation wasshown at Annex D, on pages 29 and 30 of the agenda.

The applicants and the objector had agreed to mediate, and the outcome of those discussions was set out at Annex E on pages 31-33.  Some suggestions had been put forward by the applicants to address concerns raised, though these had not been formally presented as amendments to the application at that stage.

When considering the application, Members of the Sub-Committee were asked to take note of the relevant sections of the Dacorum Borough Council Licensing Policy and National Statutory guidance set out on pages 34 to 38 of the Agenda, and examine the nature of the activities sought and whether the operating schedule proposed by the applicant addressed potential issues set out in the concerns of the objector.

Furthermore, they should ensure that if further conditions are added to the operating schedule they are appropriate and proportionate to the application. 

Clear reasons must be given for their decision.

The Chair thanked J. Byiers and asked if any Councillors had any questions before asking the applicant to speak.

Cllr Bassadone asked if there were other premises at Riverside that were also open until 1.00 am.

S. McDonald replied that there were other premises in the town centre that had late opening hours however, licenses were granted on their own merits and this one should be treated in the same way.  Members should look at the operating schedule and how the applicant was going to promote the licensing objectives for their particular activity.

Cllr Bassadone also asked about the outside seating and was it correct that a couple of years ago different licenses were granted.

S. McDonald replied that that was correct and pavement licenses were now granted in accordance with the Business and Planning Act 2020.  However, in this case, the applicant had asked for the outside seating to be included within their premises licence plan.

The Chairman invited the Applicants to address the committee.

The Applicants said that they were residents of Hemel Hempstead and were excited to be opening a business  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.