Minutes:
Alison Demonty from the Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Team presented her case. She referred to the representations made by the team, which had been included in the agenda and supported the review application. She explained that complaints about the premises had been received over a long period of time, however, there was no evidence of a statutory nuisance, which meant that the team could not intervene. The Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Team had witnessed noise at the venue and had tried to work informally with the Licence Holder, but it was felt that their suggestions and recommendations had not been taken forward. She explained that if a detailed Noise Management Plan was in place and adhered to it could limit the requirement for Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Intervention.
The Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Officer did not feel that the recommendations made by the team were burdensome or unreasonable. She explained that the recommendations included not using the South facing function room for amplified music as it was difficult to contain noise. She also felt that there should be some general monitoring of street music levels and details kept.
The Chairman thanked the Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Officer for presenting her case and invited questions from all parties.
The Licensing Manager referred to the recording of decibel levels and the Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Officer explained that the recording of decibel levels was not considered to be of great benefit for determining statutory nuisances as it was often not the only factor. Other issues such as frequency, duration, type of music and the surrounding environment also needed to be taken into consideration.
Ms Watling asked if any Noise Management Plans in place could be made available to the public. The Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Officer explained that the plan was not part of the licence, so was not published as a matter of course, but there was no reason why it could not be made available if requested.
Mr Lee asked the Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Officer if she was aware of the insulation boards and she confirmed that she was aware.
Mr Lee asked how many visits the Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Officer had made to the premises. The Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Officer confirmed that she had visited Ms Watlings property on one occasion and had been in the area on other occasions. The Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Officer explained that there were two officers available on the out of hours service and if they had been called out elsewhere they were sometimes unable to attend when Ms Watling had reported a disturbance.
Mr Lee asked if the South facing Function Room was converted into a flat, would it solve some of the problems reported, and the Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Officer confirmed that it would.
Councillor Hopkins asked if there had been other complaints against the premises, additional to those made by the Applicant and the other persons. The Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Officer thought that there had been complaints from other residents, but the majority had been received from Ms Watling.