COUNCILLORS have called a hearing after claiming that a pub owner has failed to satisfy conditions placed on his public entertainment licence.

On Wednesday, licensing committee members at Teesdale District Council were unhappy to hear that Andy Power, owner of Folly's in Barnard Castle, had not taken any action to meet conditions placed on the licence by councillors.

On July 15, the committee approved the licence allowing Folly's to stay open until 2am six nights a week, with the conditions that they received confirmation in 28 days of an electrical certificate for the premises and that the fire extinguishers were being serviced by a competent person.

In addition, the committee requested notification that the premises' automatic noise control system was in good working order and that the level was agreed on site by the senior environmental health officer.

Peter Fayle, the council's head of planning and building control, told members that he had twice written to Mr Power reminding him of the conditions to be met, providing him with time to do so.

He added that Mr Power had replied via a letter, received on August 29, stating that he had met the set guidelines, that three new fire extinguishers had been installed, the music system had been fitted as instructed, that all security measures were adhered to and that two site visits had taken place.

Mr Fayle then replied in a letter sent by recorded delivery explaining that he had not received any confirmation and that he was unaware of any visits made by council officers. The letter was returned by the post office undelivered.

Coun Ken Robinson said: "Several of the conditions on the licence have not been fulfilled, even though the council has taken the opportunity to make sure they were fulfilled.

"A further letter was sent recorded delivery and returned by the Post Office. If the licensee is given the licence with conditions and they are not fulfilled is it still valid?"

Mr Fayle answered that the licence was still valid until rescinded by the committee.

All members agreed to hold a further hearing with Mr Power to determine why the conditions had not been met and to decide on the next course of action.