Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest from Members.

Councillor Quentin Webb declared an interest in Agenda Item 2(1) by virtue of the fact that he was an original member of the New Era Theatre many years previously. However, the current applicant was not known to him. As his interest was not personal or prejudicial he was permitted to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

The Sub-Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 2(1)) concerning Licensing Application 10/01258/LQN in respect of the New Era Theatre, St George’s Church, Andover Road, Wash Common, Newbury, RG14 6NU.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Alan Lovegrove (Licensing Officer, West Berkshire Council); Mrs Madeline Winter, Mrs Janet Bennett and Reverend Paul Cowan (speaking on behalf of the applicant, Mr Stephen Bennett); and Councillor Adrian Edwards (speaking on behalf of the objectors, Mr and Mrs Pasmore), addressed the Sub-Committee on this application.

Mr Lovegrove in addressing the Sub-Committee raised the following points:

·                    On 2 February 2011 West Berkshire Council’s Licensing Department received an application for a premises licence to be granted under the Licensing Act 2003 from Mr Stephen Bennett on behalf of the New Era Theatre, St George’s Church, Andover Road, Wash Common, Newbury, RG14 6NU. The application was for:

·                    Performance of plays (indoors) between 2000 and 2230 hours, Tuesday – Saturday.

·                    Films (indoors) between 2000 and 2230 hours, Monday – Saturday.

·                    Live music (indoors) between 2000 and 2230 hours, Monday – Saturday.

·                    Supply of alcohol (on the premises) between 2030 and 2130 hours, Tuesday – Saturday.

·                    The standard days and timings that the premises would be open were between 1930 and 2300 hours, Tuesday – Saturday.

·                    The consultation period ran from 3 February 2011 to 2 March 2011. Within the prescribed 28 day consulting period the Licensing Department received one representation from Mr and Mrs Pasmore. This was based on three of the Licensing Act’s four objectives:

·                    Prevention of Crime and Disorder

·                    Protection of Children from Harm

·                    Prevention of Public Nuisance

·                    No mediation had taken place.

Mrs Winter, prior to addressing the Sub-Committee, requested that the statement she was to read on behalf of the New Era Players be circulated. This was agreed to by all parties. Mrs Winter raised the following points:

History and Current Use

·                    New Era Players had been an amateur theatre company for some 38 years. They had leased the former St Luke’s Hall from St George’s Church, Wash Common for the last 33 years and had fitted it out as a theatre, run on the basis of a membership club.

·                    Currently four productions of eight performances were run per year.  In previous years when there was a larger membership up to eight productions were run each year. One of the members ran a children’s drama school at the theatre twice a week and put on end of term shows. There were also occasional events which took place on other evenings. Rehearsals were held at least twice a week and on other days the theatre was used for set building, costume making etc.

Future Proposals

·                    The New Era Theatre was currently negotiating the renewal of their lease with St George’s Parochial Church Council. It had been agreed that they should work within the Church’s Vision to do more within and for the local community and to facilitate this they needed to do three things:

·                    Improve the building and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.