To consider an application for the Review of a Premises Licence in respect of Reading Community Carnival, Prospect Park, Reading.

The Head of Planning, Development and Regulatory Services submitted a report on application by Thames Valley Police for the review of a Premises Licence in respect of Reading Community Carnival, Prospect Park, Reading, RG1 2LN.

The report stated that Thames Valley Police had requested a review of the Premises Licence due to serious concerns that the Premises Licence Holder was failing to support the licensing objectives during the event.  The report explained that these concerns were based on the number of violent incidents that had occurred in and around the premises during the event held in May 2019, which had included large scale fights, two stabbings and further suspected stabbing and that that the number of suitably trained security staff employed by the organisers had been insufficient to deal with these incidents.  A copy of the review application form and appendices was attached to the report at Appendix RS1.

The report stated that during the 28-day consultation period, representations had been received from Reading Borough Council Licensing Team Reading Borough Council Environmental Protection Team, Dorchester Court Management Team and Mrs S Stiles, a local resident which were attached to the report at Appendices RS2, RS3, RS4 and RS5 respectively.

Three emails in support of the Carnival had been received and were attached to the report at Appendix RS6.

A copy of the current licence was attached at Appendix RS7 and authorised the following licensable activities:

Hours for the Performance of Live Music

Monday             1200 hours until 1900 hours

Hours for the Playing of Recorded Music

Monday             1200 hours until 1900 hours

Hours for the Performance of Dance

Monday             1200 hours until 1900 hours

Hours for Anything Similar to Live Music, Recorded Music or Performance of Dance

Monday             1200 hours until 1900 hours

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public

Monday             1000 hours until 1900 hours

Additional documents were received from Thames Valley Police and the Premises Licence Holder after the original paperwork had been issued in March 2020 and was considered by the Sub-Committee when making its decision.

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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.