Agenda item

The Chair welcomed all parties to the meeting and explained the procedure for the hearing. It was confirmed that all parties had received a copy of the relevant paperwork.

Introduction by the Licensing Officer

The Licensing Officer reported that an application had been made by Mr Cambampaty for a Premises Licence for ‘Godari’ at 54 Park Street, Slough with the premises to be run as a restaurant serving freshly cooked food and alcohol. The application was made for a range of licensable activities as detailed in the report.

Following the application being made, a total of ten written objections had been received from local residents. These were made on the basis that the premises licence outlined in the application could lead to an increase in noise levels and noise pollution, an increase in parking problems, unacceptable extended hours of operation, possible increase in violent and drunken behaviour resulting in crime and disorder, and an increase in disposal of cooking waste causing further drainage problems. Members were informed that the matter had been referred to the Licensing Sub Committee due to these objections.

Members also noted that objections had also been raised by Thames Valley Police who had requested that a number of alternative timings and conditions be imposed on the licence. Members were informed that following concerns raised by Thames Valley Police, a mediation meeting had taken place between the applicant and Thames Valley Police, following which the applicant responded with alternative timings. Mr Cambampaty had also agreed with the recommendations made by Thames Valley Police and written confirmation was forwarded to relevant parties stating that he was in agreement with all the recommendations. Following this confirmation, Thames Valley Police had raised no further objections.

The options available to the Sub-Committee were outlined and Members reminded that they must have regard to the relevant legislation and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy. However the overriding principle was that each application should be determined on its own merits.

Questions to Licensing Officer

None.

Representations from the Environmental Health Officer

The Environmental Health Officer presented a short summary of his findings. It was highlighted that there were no adverse comments on the grounds that granting the premises a licence to play recorded music would lead to increased noise pollution. However, it was noted that that there was a potential for an overspill of customers into the garden area, particularly in the summer months.

Representations made by the Applicant

Mr Cambampaty, outlined the reasons as to why the application had been made. The Applicant stated that the restaurant would be aimed at families and was not likely to cause disturbance to the local area. He explained that the proposal for extended opening hours had caused a misunderstanding and the terminal hour for opening hours of the premises was until 1.00am. Regarding complaints about playing recorded music, the Applicant stated that this would be intended as background music inside the restaurant and would not cause noise pollution. It was however noted that part of the agreement between the Licensing Officer and Thames Valley Police was that the premises would be able to extend certain licensable activities until 1.00am for holidays or international sporting events, subject to 10 days written notice to be given to Thames Valley Police Licensing and Slough Borough Council Licensing Department.

Questions to the Applicant

Members requested clarification on a number of points raised by the objectors. These regarded extended opening hours, whether alcohol would be served in the outside area and concerns about the noise levels that this may create. The applicant answered the queries with reference to the conditions which had been outlined previously. Mr Cambampaty confirmed that there would be a staff manager on site at all times to prevent all outside activity at 10.00pm every night.

Objectors

An objector, Ms Jones attended the meeting to make representations on behalf of local residents. Ms Jones explained that her initial objections had been on the the proposed extended opening until 05.00am. The Applicant advised that he had withdrawn his request to open until 05.00am and opening hours would cease at 1.00am.

Summing Up

The Licensing Manager and the applicant provided a brief summary.

Decision

After careful consideration the Sub-Committee decided to grant a Premises Licence for the following licensable activities at the times specified below:

(B) The provision of regulated entertainment in respect of Films (Indoors).

• Monday to Sunday - 1000 hours to 0000 hours (Midnight)
• Non standard timings – Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, Deepavali, Eid and any International Sporting Event to 0100 hours. 10 days written notice to be given to Thames Valley Police Licensing and Slough Borough Council Licensing Department. SIA door staff will be employed if required by Thames Valley Police on these events.

(E) The provision of regulated entertainment in respect of Live Music (Indoors)

• Monday to Friday 1000 hours to 2300 hours
• Saturday and Sunday 0930 hours to 2300 hours
• Non standard timings - Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, Deepavali, Eid and any International Sporting Event to 0100 hours. 10 days written notice to be given to Thames Valley Police Licensing and Slough Borough Council Licensing Department. SIA door staff will be employed if required by Thames Valley Police on these events.

(F) The provision of regulated entertainment in respect of Recorded Music (Indoors only)

• Monday to Sunday 1000 hours to 0000 hrs (Midnight)
• Non standard timings - Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, Deepavali, Eid and any International Sporting Event to 0100 hours. 10 days written notice to be given to Thames Valley Police Licensing and Slough Borough Council Licensing Department. SIA door staff will be employed if required by Thames Valley Police on these events.

(G) The provision of regulated entertainment for the Performances of Dance (Indoors)

• Monday to Sunday 1000 hours to 0000 hrs (Midnight)
• Non standard timings - Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, Deepavali, Eid and any International Sporting Event to 0100 hours. 10 days written notice to be given to Thames Valley Police Licensing and Slough Borough Council Licensing Department. SIA door staff will be employed if required by Thames Valley Police on these events.

(H) Anything of a similar description to that falling within (E), (F) or (G) (Indoors only)

• Monday to Sunday 1000 hours to 0000 hrs (Midnight)
• Non standard timings - Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, Deepavali, Eid and any International Sporting Event to 0100 hours. 10 days written notice to be given to Thames Valley Police Licensing and Slough Borough Council Licensing Department. SIA door staff will be employed if required by Thames Valley Police on these events.

(I) Provision of facilities for making music (Indoors)

• Monday to Sunday 1000 hours to 0000 hrs (Midnight)
• Non standard timings - Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, Deepavali, Eid and any International Sporting Event to 0100 hours. 10 days written notice to be given to Thames Valley Police Licensing and Slough Borough Council Licensing Department. SIA door staff will be employed if required by Thames Valley Police on these events.

(J) Provision of facilities for dancing (Indoors)

• Monday to Sunday 1000 hours to 0000 hrs (Midnight)
• Non standard timings - Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, Deepavali, Eid and any International Sporting Event to 0100 hours. 10 days written notice to be given to Thames Valley Police Licensing and Slough Borough Council Licensing Department. SIA door staff will be employed if required by Thames Valley Police on these events.

(K) Provision of facilities for entertainment of a similar description to that falling within I or J (Indoors)

• Monday to Sunday 1000 hours to 0000 hrs (Midnight)
• Non standard timings - Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, Deepavali, Eid and any International Sporting Event to 0100 hours. 10 days written notice to be given to Thames Valley Police Licensing and Slough Borough Council Licensing Department. SIA door staff will be employed if required by Thames Valley Police on these events.

(L) The Provision of Late Night Refreshment (Indoors and Outdoors)

• Monday to Sunday 2300 hours to 0030 hours
• Non standard timings - Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, Deepavali, Eid and any International Sporting Event to 0100 hours. 10 days written notice to be given to Thames Valley Police Licensing and Slough Borough Council Licensing Department. SIA door staff will be employed if required by Thames Valley Police on these events.

(M) Supply of Alcohol (On the premises only)

• Monday to Sunday 1100 hours to 0000 hrs (Midnight)
• Non standard timings - Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, Deepavali, Eid and any International Sporting Event to 0100 hours. 10 days written notice to be given to Thames Valley Police Licensing and Slough Borough Council Licensing Department. SIA door staff will be employed if required by Thames Valley Police on these events.

(O) Hours the premises are open to the public-

• Monday to Sunday 0900 hours to 0030 hours
• Non standard timings - Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, Deepavali, Eid and any International Sporting Event to 0100 hours. 10 days written notice to be given to Thames Valley Police Licensing and Slough Borough Council Licensing Department. SIA door staff will be employed if required by Thames Valley Police on these events.

In addition to the relevant mandatory conditions and conditions consistent with the operating schedule, the Sub Committee also added the following conditions to the premises licence:

• Digital CCTV monitoring system installed and maintained to Thames Valley Police Standard. Recordings to be kept securely for 31 days and made available to Police or relevant Agencies on request.
• Nominated person to be able to down load any CCTV footage that is requested by Thames Valley Police
• The Garden area is closed to the public after 2200 hours except for smokers and no drinks are allowed in this area after 2200 hours.
• Designated Premises Supervisor or nominated person to attend the local pubwatch scheme

Sub-Committee Members considered the conditions to be necessary, reasonable and proportionate to address concerns relating to crime and disorder, public nuisance and public safety.