Resolved –

That, pursuant to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), members of the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following item of business as it was likely that there would be disclosures of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 specified in Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act.

To consider an application for the Review of a Premises Licence in respect of The Red Cow, 56 Star Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 5BE.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on an application by Thames Valley Police, a named responsible authority under the Licensing Act 2003, to review the Premises Licence in respect of the Red Cow, 56 Star Road, Caversham, Reading, RG1 5BE.

The report explained that the application for review had been submitted by Thames Valley Police in order to address the failure of the premises licence holder to promote the four licensing objectives (the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm) via their insufficient measures to comply with their licence conditions and the purchasing of stolen goods on the premises.

The following documents were appended to the report:

Appendix TS1               Review Application Form;

Appendix TS2               Representations from Reading Borough Council Licensing Team

Appendix TS3 to TS13      Resident representations

Appendix TS14             21 resident representations that did not meet the criteria as set out in the Licensing Act 2003 section 18, subsection 6a, as valid representations (included to give a full picture)

Appendix TS15             Google Maps aerial view of the area.

The existing Premises Licence permitted the following licensable activities:

Performance of Live Music, Playing of Recorded Music, Performance of Dance

Friday to Saturday           1900 hours until 2300 hours

Hours for the Sale by Retail of Alcohol (on & Off the Premises)

Monday to Sunday          1000 hours until 2300 hours

Hours the Premises is Open to the Public

Monday to Sunday          1000 hours until 2300 hours

The report explained that these concerns were based on the breaches of the conditions attached to the licence that had been observed on several visits by RBC Licensing officers and Thames Valley Police to the premises. The report also explained that the Premises Licence Holder had purchased stolen goods on the premises.

Declan Smyth, Simon Wheeler, Gary Clarke and Vince Moore, all of Thames Valley Police, attended the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee, asked and responded to questions.

During the 28-day consultation period representations had been received from Reading Borough Council Licensing Authority and their submission was attached to the report. Robert Smalley, Licensing and Enforcement Officer, Reading Borough Council, attended the meeting, addressed the Sub-Committee and asked and responded to questions.

Ms Sangita Gurung, the Premises Licence Holder and previous Designated Premises Supervisor, and her representative, Bill Donne, Silver Fox Licensing Consultants, were present at the meeting. Bill Donne addressed the Sub-Committee and answered questions.

Local residents who had submitted representations during the 28-day consultation period, attended the meeting and spoke in support of Ms Gurung.

Tabitha Shaw, Licensing and Enforcement Officer, presented the report.

Resolved – 

(1)           That, after taking into consideration the Licensing Act 2003, the Secretary of State’s latest Guidance issued under section 182 of that Act, and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and having considered the likely effect of imposing each of the options available under the Secretary of State’s Guidance upon the promotion of the four Licensing Objectives, namely:

·       the prevention of crime and disorder;

·       public safety;

·       the prevention of public  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.