Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

An application for a Review of a Premises Licence in respect of The Goal Post (Lounge 107), 107 Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4RB, had been received from West Midlands Police.

The Chair led round-table introductions and outlined the procedure to be followed.

Joanne Till, Section Leader, Licensing, provided an outline of the application. Sgt Steph Reynolds, West Midlands Police (applicant), confirmed that the summary was accurate.

The Chair invited West Midlands Police to present their application. Sgt Reynolds did so. She advised the Sub-Committee that immediately before the Hearing, further mediation had taken place between herself and Piers Warne, Solicitor representing Punch Taverns, Premises Licence Holder, regarding the Licence conditions. Amendments to the original proposal had been agreed and the Sub-Committee had been provided with a copy of the newly amended conditions, along with additional photographic evidence of items seized from the premises. Sgt Reynolds confirmed that all proposed conditions had been agreed by both parties except for the condition regarding the provision of door staff. She explained the reasons why she felt door staff were required at the premises and stated she would be happy to review this condition in time. Sgt Reynolds requested that current Premises Licence was modified not revoked.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question the applicant in relation to her submission. Sgt Steph Reynolds provided the following responses to questions asked:

• Police background checks would be carried out on prospective new management staff.
• The current CCTV provisions at the premises would be extended.
• Door staff were not required at the premises during week days as historically, the premises had no issues during these times and footfall was low.
• The Police had no concerns regarding the outside are of the premises.
• The Police believed that issues at the premises were the fault of the management not Punch Taverns, Premises Licence Holder.

The Chair invited the Licensing Authority to make representations. Mrs Elaine Moreton did so as per Appendix 4 of the report.

The Chair invited all parties present to question the Licensing Authority in relation to its submission. Mrs Moreton provided responses to questions asked.

The Chair invited the Premises Licence Holder to make representations.

Mr Piers Warne, Solicitor representing Punch Taverns, Premises Licence Holder, stated the following:

• Issues at the premises were the fault of the management not Punch Taverns, Premises Licence Holder (PLH).
• Such problems were very rare, and Punch Taverns would not tolerate them.
• Punch Taverns were willing to invest significantly to improve the premises to ensure no further issues occurred.
• Not all cliental at the premises were associated with crime.
• Punch Taverns had supported the suspension of the licence and would work with the Police and Local Authority to improve the premises.
• Issues occurring prior to 27 June 2018 had not come to the attention of Punch Taverns.
• Punch Taverns had a tenanted pub approach.
• Obligations were imposed on tenants under legal agreements which allowed them to forfeit where appropriate.
• Following the Expedited Review of the Premises  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.