The Licensing (Premises) Sub-Committee of Buckinghamshire Council convened to consider the agenda and reports pack provided to the attendees. The meeting included discussion of virtual procedural rules, and a new premises licence application for Muntenia's Restaurant.

Muntenia's Restaurant Licensing Application

The sub-committee was scheduled to review an application submitted under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 for a new premises licence for Muntenia's Restaurant, located at 31-33 Kingsbury, Aylesbury, HP20 2JA. The applicant is Iuliana-Florentina Ghica, with Michael Nickson at Inn Confidence Ltd acting as the agent.

Muntenia's Restaurant is described as a restaurant serving seafood and European cuisine, featuring food-led alcohol sales and live music events. The premises includes a ground floor with approximately 58 covers and a basement with 53 covers, where regulated entertainment is expected to take place.

The application seeks to license the following activities:

• Live Music (indoors): Sunday to Thursday 23:00 – 00:00, Friday to Saturday 23:00 – 02:00
• Recorded Music (indoors): Sunday to Thursday 23:00 – 00:00, Friday to Saturday 23:00 – 02:00
• Late Night Refreshment (indoors): Sunday to Thursday 23:00 – 00:00, Friday to Saturday 23:00 – 02:00
• Sale of Alcohol (on the premises): Sunday to Thursday 12:00 – 00:00, Friday to Saturday 23:00 – 02:00
• Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday 09:00 – 01:00, Friday to Saturday 09:00 – 02:30

The report pack noted that the consultation period for the application concluded on 4 August 2025.

Representations

The report pack included summaries of representations received from various responsible authorities and other persons.

• Responsible Authorities:
  • The Chief Officer of Police initially raised concerns but agreed to no objection following a reduction in opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays to 02:30.
  • The Fire and Rescue Authority submitted a representation during the consultation period.
  • The Local Planning Authority (Head of Sustainable Development) had no objection, but noted that the building at 31 Kingsbury is a listed building and any works to it, including signage and external lighting, would require Listed Building Consent[^2]. They also noted that both properties are in the Aylesbury Conservation area and new signage will also require Advertisement Consent. [^2]: A listed building is a building that has been placed on the National Heritage List for England by Historic England because of its special architectural, historical or cultural significance.
  • The Local Environmental Health Authority (Head of Environmental Health) had no objection but advised that the applicant must be made aware of the potential for late-night music to disturb residents and the importance of preventing public nuisance[^3]. [^3]: Public Nuisance is a term used in law to describe actions that are harmful or offensive to the public or a section of the public, and for which a legal remedy may be pursued.
• Other Persons:
  • Three objections were received, citing concerns about the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm.
  • One representation of support was received from Aylesbury Town Council.

The report pack summarised the issues raised in the relevant representations as:

• Prevention of crime and disorder, with concerns about late-night anti-social behaviour.
• Public safety, specifically regarding increased pedestrian activity late at night.
• Prevention of public nuisance, focusing on noise disturbance and intoxicated individuals.
• Protection of children from harm, related to potential increases in noise and antisocial behaviour.

Policy Considerations

The report pack noted that the sub-committee should consider Buckinghamshire Council's adopted Licensing Policy published February 2022, and the Home Office Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. The four licensing objectives, which are of equal importance, are:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

Proposed Conditions

The report pack contained a list of proposed licence conditions, which had been re-drafted to ensure they are clear and enforceable. These conditions covered various aspects, including:

• General measures for all four licensing objectives, such as staff training and maintaining a written record of authorised staff.
• Prevention of crime and disorder, including CCTV installation and SIA registered security staff.
• Public safety, including fire safety measures and maintaining clear means of escape.
• Prevention of public nuisance, such as noise control measures and litter management.
• Protection of children from harm, including age verification policies and staff training.

Virtual Procedural Rules

The sub-committee was also scheduled to note the hearing procedure rules and virtual licensing sub-committee procedural rules. The addendum to the report pack outlined the procedure for hearings before the Licensing Sub-Committee in relation to matters under the Licensing Act 2003, as amended. It specified that Buckinghamshire Council has decided to hold such hearings remotely.