Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors de Burle and Glancy.

Members to declare any interest as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

Councillor Chandler declared a personal interest in relation to Minute Number L4, Licensing Sub-Committee Minutes for 17 January 2022 and 2 March 2022, as the events would have a significant impact upon the Ward she represents.

Councillor Carter declared a personal interest in relation to Minute Number L5, Review of the Statement of Licensing Policy 2022-27, as he possesses a personal licence.

(At 6:34pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor Wilkinson entered the meeting.)

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2021.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2021 were confirmed.

(a)  To note the minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 17 January 2022

(b)  To note the minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 2 March 2022

(c)   To note the minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 21 March 2022

(d)  To note the minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 30 March 2022 at 10.30 am

(e)  To note the minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 30 March 2022 at 12.30 pm

Subject to the below amendment, the Minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee meetings held on 17 January 2022, 2 March 2022, 21 March 2022, 30 March 2022 at 10:30am and 30 March 2022 at 12:30pm were noted.

30 March 2022, 10:30am, Exempt Minutes

The Committee agreed to change ‘Cutting Tree Pub’ to ‘Cutting Rooms’.

To consider a report which seeks approval from Members to go out for 12 weeks consultation on the Licensing Policy the in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003

A report that sought approval from Members for the Licensing Policy 2022-27 to go out for consultation for a period of 12 weeks was presented to the Committee.

After the presentation, the Chairman commented that she thought that the removal of the requirement for the cumulative impact assessment was a positive step.

A discussion ensued regarding whether Members could visit premises seeking licenses, however the Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that if Members wished to visit a premises then it would be prudent to seek advice before doing so.

Members noted that there would be a requirement to hold a Special Licensing Committee meeting following the consultation period, in order to agree the final Statement of Licensing Policy 2022-27 prior to submission for approval by Council.

RESOLVED

The Licensing Committee approved that the draft Statement of Licensing Policy 2022-27, made under the Licensing Act 2003, proceed to consultation and endorsed the removal of the Cumulative Impact Policy.

To consider a report which provides Members with knowledge of the work carried out by the Licensing Team and the wider impacts and benefits of the licensing regime

The Licensing Performance Report containing the work carried out by the Licensing Team and the wider impacts and benefits of the licensing regime was presented to the Committee.

During a discussion regarding the length of time it took to process licensing applications, Members were informed that applicants tend to drip feed information to the Licensing Team and that Officers are reminding applicants to submit the correct information. In response to the question whether applicants should be encouraged to submit all the information at the same time, it was confirmed that the Licensing Team have no issues with doing that.

In response to a query on whether regular checks are made in relation to animal welfare licenses, the Committee were informed that licensed premises are regularly checked but concerns over particular licenses would be investigated.

Officers were asked whether there are sufficient levels of staff within the Licensing Team to process applications. In response, Members were informed that the team is stretched which is further stretched by absences (e.g. holiday, sickness) and that more resource is needed. When asked how staffing compares to three or four years ago, Members were informed that four years ago the Licensing Team did not have an Enforcement Officer.

Further discussion ensued and covered the Enforcement Officer post which is shared between Licensing and Planning. The Committee were informed that the Planning department receive more of the post’s time, despite it being evenly split however resource levels are being reviewed. A Member commented that they would like the Licensing department to receive enforcement hours it should have back.

When asked whether the Enforcement Officer carries out night-time enforcement, Members were informed that the Enforcement Officer does carry out night-time enforcement and that the Officer did also work during the Covid pandemic.

RESOLVED

That the information contained within the Licensing Performance Report be noted.

To consider any other items that the Chair considers urgent

There was no urgent business.