Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest from Members.

There were no declaration of interest received.

RESOLVED that: Application 11/000973/LQN for a variation to Premises Licence number 13217 in respect of the Starting Gate, 75 Brummell Road, Speen be granted subject to the conditions as in the operating schedule, any relevant mandatory conditions in ss19-21 of the Licensing Act 2003 and the following variations:

1.                  All windows at the premises will be closed at 23:00 hours and will remain closed until such time that the premises are closed to the public and the last member of the public has left the premises whenever any regulated entertainment is taking place at the premises.

REASON: The prevention of public nuisance

2.                  Except to facilitate access and egress from the Premises, all doors will be kept closed from 23:00 hours until such time that the premises are closed to the public and the last member of the public has left the premises whenever any regulated entertainment is taking place at the Premises.

REASON: The prevention of public nuisance

3.                  Condition 8 of Licence Number 13217 will be replaced with a new condition 8 which will state:

“Prominent clear notices shall be prominently displayed at all public entrances and exits and in the garden area requesting that customers respect the needs of local residents and leave the premises and garden area quietly.” 

REASON:  Prevention of public nuisance

The meeting commenced at 10.00am and closed at 10.55am)

Councillor Jeff Beck (Chairman)          ……………………………………………

Date of Signature:                                     ……………………………………………

Councillor Bill Drummond                   ……………………………………………

Date of Signature:                                     ……………………………………………

Councillor Geoff Mayes                        ……………………………………………

Date of Signature:                                     …………………………………..……….

The Sub-Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 2(1)) concerning Licensing Application 11/000973/LQN in respect of The Starting Gate, 75 Brummell Road, Newbury.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Claire Seymour (Designated Premises Supervisor), Bo-eun Jung (Solicitor), Edwin Pope (Punch Taverns PLC) (applicants), Emilia Matheou (Licensing Officer, West Berkshire Council), Ms Meg John (Speen Parish Council), Mr Martin Fisher, Mrs Kim Brown and Mrs Hindley-Greaves (objectors), addressed the Sub-Committee on this application. Mrs Pavier (objector) was also in attendance at the meeting.

The Sub-Committee also took into consideration the written submissions of Mrs Harper, Mr and Mrs MacWilliam, Mr Smith and Ms Willcox (all objectors) who did not attend the hearing.

The Chairman (Jeff Beck) clarified two issues that were raised in the letter from Speen Parish Council dated 21 July 2011. In respect of paragraph 5 on page 25 of the agenda he explained that where an application pertained to a premises licence it was acceptable for the notice detailing the application to vary to be displayed within the premises. The requirement to display the notice every 50m on the external perimeter was only required where the application related to an outdoor event.

Councillor Beck also explained that West Berkshire Council was not legally bound to inform the Parish Council that an application had been submitted. It was customary for the Council to do so but there was no legal obligation for the Council to undertake this activity. Councillor Beck apologised that, due to staff shortages, there had been a delay in notifying the Parish Council on this occasion.

Sarah Clarke (WBC Solicitor) explained that the Licensing Authority had received a letter from Mrs Hindley-Greaves on the 02 August 2011. As the letter was received outside of the timescales for receipt of written information (i.e. it was received within five working days of the hearing) the information had not been circulated to the Members of the Sub-Committee. Should Mrs Hindley-Greaves wish the Sub-Committee to consider the letter, permission to do so would have to be sought from the applicant. Sarah Clarke passed a copy of the letter to the applicants. Once they had considered the content they agreed that it could be circulated to all present. The Chairman adjourned the meeting for two minutes to allow those present to digest the short letter.

Once the meeting had been reconvened Emilia Matheou introduced the report informing the committee that it was an application to vary the licence in respect of the Starting Gate, 75 Brummell Road, Newbury. The Licensing Officer noted that West Berkshire Council’s Licensing Department received the application to vary the premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 on the 24 June 2011.

Ms Matheou explained that the application for the variation was received for the following activities:

·        To permit the sale of alcohol, live music, recorded music and karaoke Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 hrs until 00:00hrs and Friday and Saturday from 11:00hrs until 01:00hrs.

(Currently Monday to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.