Agenda item

Proposal:     Request to Review a Premise Licence

Location:      Trunkwell House, Beech Hill Road, Beech Hill, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 2AT

Applicant:     Suzanne McLaughlin on behalf of West Berkshire Council’s  Environmental Quality Team (Environmental Health — Pollution)

NOTICE OF DECISION

 

The Licensing Sub-Committee of West Berkshire Council met on 25 November 2016 and considered the application  16/01550/LQN for the review of the Premise License in respect of premises known as Trunkwell House, Beech Hill Road, Beech Hill, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 2AT submitted by Suzanne McLaughlin (Senior Environmental Health Officer, West Berkshire Council) on 17 October 2016.

 

In coming to their decision, the Sub-Committee had regard to the four licensing objectives, which are:

 

1.            the prevention of crime and disorder;

2.            public safety;

3.            the prevention of public nuisance; and

4.            the protection of children from harm.

 

They also considered the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Guidance on the Licensing Act 2003 and West Berkshire Council’s licensing policy.

 

The Sub-Committee heard representations made by:

 

1.            The Applicant:  Suzanne McLaughlin and Anna Smy (WBC Environment Health)

2.            The Premise License Holders represented by: Mr Swapandeep Mann  (Director of Parsons Leisure Limited), Mr Bob Walton (DPS), James Rankin (Counsel)

3.            The supporters of the application to review: Mr Chris Bridges and Ms Lynn Cordell

4.            Responsible Authority: Mr Geoff Mayes (Beech Hill Parish Council)

5.            Ward Members: Councillor Graham Bridgman

 

 

The Licensing Sub-Committee also considered the representations of the following individuals that did not attend or speak:

 

The objectors to the application to review: Rebecca Bloxham, Hannah Callier, Fleur Howles, Lawrie and Louise Lee, Samantha Moore, Norma Newman, David Price, David Simpson and Andrew Moore.

 

The supporters of the application to review: Richard Crawley, Dominic Cordell, Rawdon Hayne, Margaret Bridges and Simon Cordell.

 

Having taken those representations into account, the Licensing Sub-Committee RESOLVED that the premise license be amended with immediate effect to include the following conditions. 

 

Timings for licence:

 

1.    From 10 January 2017, other than between the end of permitted hours on 31 December and commencement of permitted hours on 1 January each year, there shall be no amplified music played in the Marquees at the premises after:

 

Sunday to Thursday:           23h30

Friday and Saturday:           00h00

 

Management:

 

2.                              If any incidental music accompanying an event is performed outdoors live and using amplification after 5pm this will be by no more than 3 performers.

 

3.                                There shall be a designated manager on duty at the premises at all times during an event when members of the public are at the premises, who shall have sufficient authority to take any steps necessary to abate or ameliorate any nuisance caused.

 

4.                              The premises shall operate and abide by a Noise Management Plan prepared in consultation with West Berkshire Council and which will be reviewed at least quarterly, or as and when necessary. Any amended document will be deposited with the West Berkshire District Council, Environmental Health and Licensing Team (or the appropriate successor body).  The Noise Management Plan will include provision for:

 

4.1         Periodic and proactive and reactive review of the Noise Management Plan and referral to West Berkshire District Council

4.2         The location of the Marquees

4.3         Identification of potential sources of noise

4.4         The provision of controls to monitor and minimise the noise impact of the activities on the Premises to prevent nuisance

4.5         Meeting the Licensing Objectives and conditions of the Premises Licence

4.6         An appropriate system for receiving, recording and responding to complaints

4.7      Particular attention will be paid to avoid bass drums or similar where the impact of the frequency of these drums may be heard over a greater distance.      

           greater distance.

 

Customer Control:

 

5.                                Clear legible notices shall be erected on the Licensed Premises requesting customers, patrons and staff to keep noise to a minimum and respect local residents privacy when entering and leaving the Licensed Premises and to advise customers, patrons and staff to park considerately.

 

6.                                Staff will be on hand to supervise patrons during the anticipated times of arrival and departure. 

 

7.                                At any event booked for 100 or more persons, there will be staff to supervise car parking and departure by patrons.

 

8.                                The premises will provide SIA-registered door supervisors at any event booked for 100 or more persons and which continues after 19h00.  There will be a minimum of 2 such door supervisors and 1 additional door supervisor for each further 100 people.

 

CCTV:

 

9.                                A CCTV system will be installed at the premises by a competent person and maintained in good working order and be continuously recording at all times that licensable activities are taking place.  All CCTV footage shall be kept for a minimum period of 14 days and shall, upon reasonable request, be made available to authorised officers of the police or the Licensing authority.

 

Incidents Log:

 

10.                              A register of any incidents at the premises, including any refused sales of alcohol, will be kept and a copy retained for at least 12 months.  The register shall be available at the premises for inspection by authorised officers of the police or the Licensing authority upon request.

 

Staff Training:

 

11.                 All customer-facing staff shall receive training in the relation to their duties in relation to alcohol sales and noise nuisance at the premises before commencing work at events at the premises and refresher training at least annually.  A register of such training will be kept and a copy retained for at least 12 months.  The register shall be available at the premises for inspection by authorised officers of the police or the Licensing authority upon request.

 

         Reason: All conditions were imposed for the Prevention of Public            Nuisance

       

The Sub-Committee also gave the reasons for their decision:

 

1.            The Licensing Authority had regard to the fact that Environmental Health, as applicant for the review, was content that the addition of the above conditions would be effective as a means of dealing with their concerns regarding the premises. In addition, it was noted that the other appropriate responsible authorities had no further comments to make regarding the issues raised in the review application.

 

2.            The Licensing Authority, in reaching its decision, had regard to the Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.  In particular, it was noted that paragraph 11.20 stated that any remedial action taken as a result of a review should be an appropriate and proportionate response to the causes for concern.  Bearing in mind all of the above considerations, the Licensing Authority is satisfied that the imposition of the additional conditions on the premises licence would be appropriate and proportionate in these circumstances.