Decision details

NOTICE OF DECISION

The Licensing Sub-Committee of West Berkshire Council met on 21 January 2013 and resolved to approve Application 12/02003/LQN in respect of premises known as the Victoria Arms, 54 Victoria Road, Mortimer Common, Reading, RG7 3SE subject to a number of conditions which are set out below.

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 Applicants: Were not in attendance.

2.                  The Objectors: Dr Elsie Fraser, John Morden (Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council) & Rosemary Green (Environmental Health Officer- Responsible Authority). 

The Licensing Sub-Committee also considered the representations of the following who did not attend: Mr & Mrs Higgs, Gael Nicholls, Ivor Rees, Jonathan Matthews, Linda Elder,  Michael Nicholls, John and Marilyn Mazillus, Mr R Thomas and Mrs P Thomas, Mr and Mrs Milne, Janet Carless, Mr and Mrs D Broom, Mr and Mrs A.J. Alder, Tony Mullen, Mr Toby Marsden, Benjamin Allen, Mr Richard Griffiths, Nicola Richer, Ms Anne Fraser, Mr Glenn Durbridge, Tim Proctor and Mrs Anne Proctor,  Mrs Dale and Mr Clack, Mr R Kimber and Mr Terry Atlee.

Having taken those representations into account, the Licensing Sub-Committee RESOLVED that Application 12/02003/LQN be granted subject to reduced times for the two types of regulated entertainment applied for and conditions as detailed below, any relevant mandatory conditions in ss19-21 of the Licensing Act 2003 and the following variations. 

The times that were granted for regulated entertainment are as follows:

Live music

New Year’s Eve: From the hours of 23:00hrs to 01:00hrs.

Recorded Music

From the hours of 12:00hrs to 23:00hrs, from Monday to Sunday. 

New Year’s Eve: From the hours of 12:00hrs to 01:00hrs.

Conditions

1. Noise from recorded music playing at the Victoria Arms shall be regularly monitored at the boundary of the public house to ensure that the playing of music does not give rise to noise nuisance at nearby residential properties.
2. Doors and windows to the public house shall be kept closed for the duration that recorded music is played at the premises, except for access and egress from the premises, to control noise breakout. 
3. Notices of sufficient size to allow people to read them easily, shall be placed at the exits and entrances to the Victoria Arms, reminding customers to leave quietly. 

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

1. REASON: Members consider that permitting live and recorded music until 23.00hrs is reasonable in all of the circumstances.  Additional hours for live and recorded music were refused, save for two extra hours on New Year’s Eve, due to the representations that were received regarding noise at the premises and the impact this would have on public nuisance in the area.

2. REASON: Members were not satisfied that live and recorded music over the hours that have been granted could be controlled adequately by way of conditions.