CONSULTATION ON VARIATION OF PERMITTED HOURS FOR PUBLIC HOUSES : Licensing and Regulatory Committee on 13/01/2003

Waverley Borough Council Committee System - Committee Document

Meeting of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee held on 13/01/2003
CONSULTATION ON VARIATION OF PERMITTED HOURS FOR PUBLIC HOUSES

The purpose of this report is to enable the Committee to make comments if it so wishes to the Licensing Justices on an application to them for a variation of morning opening hours at Wetherspoons public houses, of which there are currently two in Waverley - in Godalming and Haslemere High Streets. A variation of opening hours could be adopted by other licensed premises in the Waverley area, if approved. The report has no specific human rights, resource, environmental or “Opportunities for All” implications for the Council. There may be some community safety issues, which are discussed in the report.

APPENDIX D

WAVERLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL

LICENSING AND REGULATORY COMMITTEE – 13TH JANUARY 2003
EXECUTIVE - 14TH JANUARY 2003

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Title:

CONSULTATION ON VARIATION OF PERMITTED HOURS FOR PUBLIC HOUSES

[Wards Affected: All]

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Summary and Purpose

The purpose of this report is to enable the Committee to make comments if it so wishes to the Licensing Justices on an application to them for a variation of morning opening hours at Wetherspoons public houses, of which there are currently two in Waverley - in Godalming and Haslemere High Streets. A variation of opening hours could be adopted by other licensed premises in the Waverley area, if approved. The report has no specific human rights, resource, environmental or “Opportunities for All” implications for the Council. There may be some community safety issues, which are discussed in the report.
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Introduction

1. The Licensing Justices have received an application for a variation of the permitted hours at Wetherspoons pubs. Waverley has two of these establishments currently, the Jack Phillips in Godalming and the Swan in Haslemere. Currently, permitted licensing hours on Mondays to Saturdays generally commence at 11.00 am, although there is provision which allows for an order to be made which would allow permitted hours be modified to commence at such hour as is decided by the Justices, provided this is not before 10.00 am. An order is currently in force for the South West Surrey Licensing District (which includes the Waverley area) and this allows permitted hours to begin at 10.30 am on Mondays to Saturdays.

2. Wetherspoons have now made application for a modification to allow permitted hours to commence at 10.00 am. The application will be considered by the Justices on 7th February next at its afternoon session and, before that time, they have asked for the comments of the Borough Council on the proposal. Whilst the application is made by one organisation, if it was approved, the order would apply to all pubs in the area, should individual licensees wish to take advantage of it. The Licensing Justices committee may only make the order if it is satisfied that the requirements of the district make it desirable to do so. They may take steps to ascertain local opinion on the subject and, when considering the application, may hear from anyone who appears qualified to express an opinion on the subject.

3. The notification allows the Council to decide whether it would wish to make representations to the Justices and to decide who would appear at the hearing on the Council’s behalf to make its representations in person to the Justices on 7th February 2003. The hearing is scheduled for 2.00 pm, although this may have to allow for other business to be heard on that date and the number of people to be heard.

Community Safety Issues

4. In accordance with the requirements of Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 the Council must do all that it reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder in its area. The Committee must consider whether there is any risk to the safety of the public in this proposal. The officers consider that the earlier opening of public houses on Mondays to Saturdays in the Waverley area would have little adverse effect locally, and that there should not be any reason to object to the proposal.

Human Rights/Resource/Environmental/ “Opportunities for All” Implications

5. There are no matters to consider under these headings.

Recommendation

That the Licensing and Regulatory Committee considers this proposal and passes its comments to the Executive for further consideration, including the person it would wish to nominate to attend the hearing on 7th February 2003 and speak on the Council’s behalf, if appropriate.
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Background Papers (CEx)

Letter from South West Surrey Licensing Administration Office received 8.11.02
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CONTACT OFFICER:

Name: Mrs R Hughes Telephone: 01483 523225
E-mail: rhughes@waverley.gov.uk
Comms/licensing/2002-03/036