Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lloyd Briscoe, Peter Clark, Coleen De Freitas, Robin Parker, Ellie Plater, Tom Plater, Ceara Roopchand, Carolina Veres and Tom Wren.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 December 2024.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 19 December 2024 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To note the procedure for the hearing of licensing applications and reviews.

It was RESOLVED that the Terms of Reference be noted.

To consider an application for the Grant of a variation to the Premises

Licence for Rittys Place, 6 Baker Street Stevenage, SG1 3AL.

The Committee considered an application for a variation to the Premises Licence for Rittys Place, 6 Baker Street, Stevenage, SG1 3AL.

The Council’s Licensing Officer presented a report to the Committee outlining the application. The Licencing Officer advised that:

1)    the provision of recorded music be amended from 07:00hrs to 23:00 hrs Monday to Sunday to 12:00-00:00 Monday to Sunday.

2)    To replace Annex 2, Condition 5 “Music played at the Premises will be for background purposes only” with the following two conditions:

a.    Music shall be played at a level, so it does not cause a nuisance to the nearest noise sensitive Premises.

b.    All doors and windows shall remain closed during regulated entertainment except for access and egress.

3)    To allow for the sale of alcohol for consumption both on and off Premises.

4)    To amend the opening times from 07:00-00:00 Monday-Friday to 12:00 – 00:00hrs Monday to Friday.

5)    The provision of late-night refreshment (the provision of hot food and drink provided between the hours of 11pm and 5am) to change from being provided inside the Premises to both inside and outside for the purpose of delivery.

It was noted that the application was accepted by the Council as valid and duly made on 29 August 2025.

Representations had been received by Environmental Health, acting as the Responsible Authority, in relation to the Licencing Objectives. The Committee noted that the Council had facilitated mediation between the Applicant and the objectors. This resulted in the withdrawal of all but three public objections following the agreement of additional conditions with the Applicant.

The Environmental Health Officer confirmed that its representation had also been withdrawn after an additional condition was agreed with the applicant.

The Chair invited questions from all parties to the Licensing Officer regarding the contents of the report.

A question was raised regarding the nearest noise sensitive Premises. It was noted that the nearest residential properties were located on Grove Road. The Licensing Officer noted that the three remaining objections were residents from this location.  

In response to a query, the Licensing Officer confirmed that other nearby premises operated under similar licences, although those serving food before 23:00 hours did not require one. It was further confirmed that the Council had not undertaken a noise impact assessment in relation to this Application.

A question was raised regarding the proposed restriction on deliveries to 22:00 hours, when other businesses locally operated later. The Licencing Officer explained that after considering the review, the applicant could apply variation until 23:00 hours.

Members questioned if there had been any evidence of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in the area. The Licensing Officer stated there was no recent evidence of such issues, though one objector had provided Police reference numbers from over five years ago which had since been archived by the Police.

Members sought clarification regarding the sale of alcohol. It was noted that off-site sales would be permitted, but was restricted to be supplied with a meal or takeaway only, in line  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider any Part 1 business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

There was no Urgent Part I Business.

To consider the following motions –

1.  That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.  That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in Paragraphs 1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.    That the reasons for the following reports being in Part II were accepted, and that the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

There was no Urgent Part II Business.