To confirm the minutes of the meeting of Licensing Applications Sub-Committee 2 held on 2 September 2021 as a correct record.

The Minutes of the meetings of Licensing Applications Sub-Committee 2 held on 2 September 2021 were confirmed as a correct record.

To consider an application for the grant of a Premises Licence – Winter Wonderland, Hills Meadow Car Park, George Street, Reading, RG4 8DH.

The Deputy Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services submitted a report on an application for the grant of a Premises Licence in respect Reading Winter Wonderland, Hills Meadow Car Park, George Street Reading, RG4 8DH.

The report stated that the application was for the grant of a premises licence to permit the following licensable activities:

Provision of Recorded Music

Monday to Sunday from 1000hrs until 2200hrs

Sale by Retail of Alcohol (On the Premises)

Monday to Sunday from 1100hrs until 2200hrs

Opening Hours

Monday to Sunday from 1000hrs until 2200hrs

This application was for a one-off licence to be valid for 53 days between 12 November 2021 and 3 January 2022.

A copy of the review application form and proposed conditions were attached to the report at Appendix RS1.

During the 28-day consultation period for the application, four representations had been received by Reading Borough Council, which were attached to the report at Appendices RS2 to RS5.  There had been no representations made by the Responsible Authorities.

The report stated that in determining the review application the Licensing Authority had a duty to carry out its functions with a view to promoting the four licensing objectives, as follows:

• The prevention of crime and disorder;
• Public safety;
• The prevention of public nuisance;
• The protection of children from harm.

The report further stated that in determining the application the Licensing Authority must also have regard to the representations received, the Licensing Authority’s statement of licensing policy and any relevant section of the statutory guidance to licensing authorities.  Furthermore, in determining the application, the Licensing Authority could take such of the following steps as it considered appropriate and proportionate for the promotion of the licensing objectives:

• Take no further action
• To issue formal warnings to the premises supervisor and/or premises licence holder
• Modify the conditions of the licence (including, but not limited to hours of operation of licensable activities)
• Exclude a licensable activity from the scope of the licence
• Remove the designated premises licence supervisor
• Suspend the licence for a period not exceeding three months
• Revoke the licence

(Where the Sub-Committee took a step mentioned in the third and fourth bullet points above it may provide that the modification or exclusion was to have effect for a period not exceeding three months or permanently.)

The report set out paragraphs 1.2 to 1.5, 8.41-8.42, 8.44-8.49, 9.12, 9.39-9.40, 9.42 and 9.43 from the Secretary of State’s Guidance to the Licensing Act 2003 issued in April 2018.  The report also set out paragraphs 1.6, 3.1, 3.2, 5.6, 5.7, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, 7.2, 7.6, 7.8, 7.11, 7.12, 8.6, 10.1 and 10.3 of the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.

William Williams, Personal Licence Holder and Sue Dowling, solicitor with Blandy & Blandy LLP attended the meeting to represent the applicant, addressed the Sub-Committee on the application and responded to questions.  Objectors Helen Lambert, Caversham and District Residents Association, and Krys Jankowski attended the meeting and addressed the Sub-Committee on the application.  They were both given the opportunity to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.