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 Pendulum, Blaydon Road, Wolverhampton, WV9 5NP, had been received from West Midlands Police.

Jaswinder Kaur, Democratic Services Manager, welcomed all parties to the hearing and explained that the meeting would be conducted in line with The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020. She invited all parties to introduce themselves and all parties did so.

The Chair welcomed all parties to the hearing and outlined the procedure to be followed. All parties confirmed that they understood the procedure.

Mr Duncan Craig, Solicitor representing the Premises Licence Holder, asked if Members had a copy of the proposed conditions on behalf of the Premises Licence Holder. The Chair confirmed that all Members had received the document.

Debra Craner, Section Leader - Licensing, provided an outline of the report. She advised that an Expedited hearing had taken place on Friday 24 April 2020 and the Committee resolved to suspend the Premises Licence pending a full review hearing. Additional information had been submitted by West Midlands Police and could be found in the Supplementary Agenda Pack. She advised that the Other Persons who had put in representations, as per appendix 6 of the agenda pack, wished to remain anonymous and must not be named throughout the hearing.

The Chair afforded all parties present the opportunity to question the report content. No questions were asked.

The Chair invited West Midlands Police to present their application.

Mr Gary Grant, Counsel representing West Midlands Police, did so as per appendix 2 of the agenda pack and the supplementary pack. He advised that:

1. Central Government had provided a direction for all public houses to close from midnight on 20 March 2020;

2. Followed by the bringing into force of The Health Protections (Coronavirus, Business Closure) (England) Regulations 2020 on the 21 March 2020.

3. The Coronavirus Health Protection Regulations (‘the Regulations’) 2020 then came into place on 26 March 2020. The Regulations mandate the closure of all businesses falling within certain categories, one of which, included public houses;

4. On 20 March 2020, Officers from West Midlands Police had visited the Premises at around 9pm in the evening and a discussion was had regarding the closure of the premises from midnight;

5. On 23 March 2020, West Midlands Police received intelligence that the Premises had intended to open to regulars;

6. On 28 March 2020, West Midlands Police received intelligence to state that the Pendulum had been open and serving alcohol, with the lights on and TVs inside along with 7-10 customers inside. When the Police had attended later on in the evening, no-one had been seen inside;

7. On 6 April 2020, Police Officers on regular patrol had driven past the Pendulum and saw a TV on in the bar area. Three people had been inside, one male behind the bar serving drinks to another male and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.