Agenda and minutes

The Chair will open the meeting and welcome all present.

The Chair opened the hearing and introduced Members of the Sub-Committee and Officers present.

The Chairman invited all those parties present to identify themselves.

To receive apologies for absence and the details of any Councillor nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member listed.

No apologies for absence were received.

To invite Councillors to declare any interest they may have in the item on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were declared.

Sub-Committee Members asked for it to be noted that they were aware that one of the objectors, namely Mr D. Wilkins had been the beat manager for Winyates Ward with the local policing team in Redditch; prior to his retirement.

To consider an application for a variation to a Premises Licence made by Mr Amitabh Bradoo, Blue Inn Hotel, Far Moor Lane, Winyates Green, Redditch, B98 0SD

(Report attached)

The Sub-Committee was asked to consider an application for a variation to a premises license made by Mr Amitabh Bradoo to extend the current hours for playing Recorded Music, to extend the Sale of Alcohol from the current terminal hour and to provide Live Music (indoors and outdoors) for the hours as stated on the application to vary a premises licence as detailed at Appendix 1 to the report.

The application was subject to a hearing in light of 86 representations being received from local residents.  The representations related primarily to:-

·         Associated nuisance and noise pollution from the music, volume of traffic and the outside smoking area. 

·         Additional traffic and the parking of vehicles in local streets.

·         An increase in crime and disorder to include the potential for anti-social behaviour and other criminal activities by those attending the premises.

·         Public Safety in relation to fire evacuation procedures at the premises.

·         Light pollution from the external illumination of the premises.

·         The general impact upon the quality of life of residents from loud music until the early hours of the morning.

·         The protection of children from harm that may be caused by disturbance from both noise and light pollution.

The Technical Officer (Licensing), Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) introduced the report and in doing so informed the Sub-Committee that 86 representations had been received.  83 of the representations had been made on a pre-printed letter and were identical save for the names and addresses of those making the representation.  The Technical Officer (Licensing), WRS further informed Members that no representations had been received from any of the Responsible Authorities.

Mr D. McGowan, the applicant’s representative, spoke in support of Mr Bradoo’s application.  He informed the Sub-Committee that Mr Bradoo intended to hold a small number of private events each month.  Entrance to these events would be limited to a maximum of 60/80 people due to the configuration of the room.  These organised events would be for residents of the hotel and invitees only.  The Hotel would operate a last entry time of 10.00pm.  Staff would be trained to deal with any difficult situations or people should the need arise.  Mr McGowan informed all those present that due to a recent fire evacuation process at the premises, which had proved to be somewhat hectic, there had been a complete review of the fire evacuation process and procedures at the premises.  Mr Bradoo informed the Sub-Committee that following a recent fire risk assessment of the premises, the premises had a maximum capacity of 100 people. 

In response to the concerns raised by residents with regard to the external lighting.  Mr McGowan informed the Sub-Committee that the external lighting had been in place for 18 months and that no complaints had been received from residents during that period.  He further highlighted that Mr Bradoo aimed to meet the licensing objectives and wanted the hotel to be an asset to the Winyates area. 

Mr McGowan responded to Councillor P. Hill in respect of section E of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.