To confirm the Chair of this Sub-Committee for the duration of this hearing.

Councillor Ottino proposed Councillor Jupp as Chair for the meeting; Councillor Sandelson seconded. 

Councillor Jupp was elected as Chair for the duration of the hearing.  

None.

None.

Recommendation: that the minutes of the meeting of 4 March 2025 are approved as a true and accurate record.

The Sub-Committee approved the minutes of the meeting on 4 March 2025 as a true and accurate record. 

The hearing procedures are attached.

The Sub-Committee noted the relevant procedure for the hearing. 

The Sub-Committee is asked to determine Oranges and Lemon’s application, taking into account the details in the report and any representations made at this Sub-Committee meeting.

The applicant and two colleagues joined the meeting. 

The Chair welcomed the attendees.

The Chair invited the Sub-Committee, officers, and applicants to introduce themselves. The applicants introduced themselves as Jack Amos, premises supervisor, Stephen Thomas, Solicitor, and Jacques Pretorius, operations director.

The Chair invited the Senior Licensing Compliance Officer to present the report.

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer summarised the report, noting the requirement for the Sub-Committee to determine a variation application submitted by Twickenham Green Taverns LTD for the Premises Licence in respect of Oranges and Lemons, 30 St Clements, Oxford.

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer outlined the variation in times requested for licensable activities, as noted in the report at appendix 1, and informed the Sub-Committee that the applicant had also requested alterations which would limit the provision of entertainment with speakers to inside spaces only.

The Sub-Committee also understood that the application stated that the premises opening hours will be Sunday to Thursday 09:00 hours to 00:30 hours and Friday and Saturdays 09:00 hours to 01:30 hours, the current licence permits the opening hours to be at the discretion of the Licence Holder. 

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer asked members to note that conditions 9 to 11 of the current premises licence would be superseded by the voluntary conditions if the variation were granted, as in appendix 3.

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer noted that no adverse comments from Thames Valley Police or the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service had been received, however representations from three Interested Parties were submitted relating to how the application may fail to promote the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the prevention of public nuisance, as in appendix 4.  

A map of the premises and surrounding area was enclosed in appendix 5.

The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer reminded the Sub-Committee of its responsibilities under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act when reaching a necessary and proportionate decision based on the fair balance between the interests of the applicant and the rights of residents. Any decision must also promote the licensing objectives and must consider the report, and any representations provided within the hearing.

The Sub-Committee understood that they must select from one of the following decisions, but may also grant the licence subject to different conditions for different parts of the premises or the different licensable activities: 

• Grant the variation in accordance with the application. 
• Modify the conditions of the operating schedule by altering or omitting or adding to them. 
• Exclude or restrict from the scope of the licence any of the licensable activities to which the application relates. 
• Reject the whole of the application. 

Finally, the Senior Licensing Compliance Officer reminded members that the applicant or persons making representations would have the right of appeal against the decision made by the Sub-Committee. 

Councillor Ottino requested information regarding the opening hours of other licensed premises local to The Oranges and Lemons. The Senior Licensing Compliance Officer provided this information in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

The dates of future meetings are:

·       22 April 2025

·       16 June 2025

The Sub-Committee noted the dates of future meetings.