Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Lanie Shears.

Councillors’ declarations of interest (if any) in relation to any matters on the agenda.

None.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 January 2021 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Nick Churchill noted that the meeting would be the last that Dimple Roopchand, Principal Solicitor, would attend with the Council. Councillor Churchill thanked her for all of her years of support to the Licensing Committee.

None.

RESOLVED that the Work Plan was noted.

The Committee received a report on the proposed Street Trading Policy for 2021 to 2026.

RESOLVED that:

A     The Committee approved, with any necessary amendments, the proposed Street Trading Policy 2021 – 2026, as set out in Appendix 5 to the report, and instructed the Environment and Licensing Manager to commence a 12 week public consultation.

B     Subject to A, authority to approve the details of consultation, including when consultation starts, was delegated to the Environment and Licensing Manager, in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee.

C     Subject to A and B above, the response from the consultation process would be brought back to committee within the 21/22 Work Plan and a final Policy to be agreed.

Michael Pitt, Environment and Planning Manager, provided the Committee with a verbal update on Covid-19 related licensing breaches. Michael Pitt advised that since the third lockdown, compliance issues had been relatively quiet. However, he noted that the number of queries received were starting to increase in response to Government plans to ease the lockdown. Michael Pitt confirmed that officers were still regularly patrolling different premises.

Michael Pitt noted that following the Licensing Sub Committee for The Chequers, the Council had been approached by a new proposed licensee and had received confirmation that the temporary marquee structure had been removed. With regard to the White Horse, an appeal had been made to the Magistrates Court regarding the Licensing Sub Committee decision to revoke of the license. The matter was due to be heard in July 2021. Michael Pitt also advised that the Pink Cottage business operator had recently changed and was now in the process of renovating the premises.

Rachel Crouch, Senior Licensing Officer, suggested that there may be an increase in temporary events once the lockdown restrictions had eased.

Any references arising from meetings held after the publication of this agenda will be circulated separately.

None.

Such other business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be received as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the minutes.

None.