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.

The Committee raised a request for amendment to minute 41 to clearly reflect the Committee’s requirement for the street drinking reduction scheme to be taken town wide. The minutes will be amended as agreed, reviewed and then signed.

The Committee also noted Councillor Joel Charles was present at the last meeting, however, he wasn’t shown as in attendance. The minutes will be amended accordingly.

None.

None.

Following discussions held between the Chair and the Interim Assistant Director Environment, the Chair proposed that Licensing Committee reduce the number of committees by one between now and March 2024.

The Committee noted that the unallocated item “Roof Sign Review” would be allocated to the January 2024 meeting.  The Committee also agreed to move the Health and Safety Plan 2023/25 to the January 2024 meeting.

Councillor Joel Charles suggested adding an item to the work plan for a “pop-up” toolkit which would include licensing guidance for applicants. The item would be allocated to the March 2024 meeting.

Councillor James Griggs suggested that the update report on street drinking be allocated to the October 2023 meeting.

Councillor James Griggs also suggested adding an item to the work plan on encouraging premises to offer a wider variety of zero alcohol beers. The item would be allocated to the March 2024 meeting.

The Committee expressed an interest in attending premises site visits with Licensing Officers. Officers agreed to invite members on site visits where possible.

 Proposed by Councillor Nick Churchill (seconded by Councillor Clive Souter) it was:

RESOLVED that the Committee agreed to reduce the number of Licensing Committees from five to four a year. The Licensing Committee shall now meet on 17 October 2023, January 2024 and March 2024. The Work Plan shall be updated to reflect the changes agreed.

The Committee received a report on the review of Hackney Carriage Taxi Tariffs.

The Committee raised concerns that an Equality Impact Assessment and benchmarking information hadn’t been provided.

Councillor Alastair Gunn also requested further information on the two recent tariff increases in November 2020 and August 2022.

RESOLVED that the Committee deferred the decision to allow for the following information to be provided:

a)    An Equality Impact Assessment

b)    Benchmarking information

c)    Further explanation into the trade’s request for a two hour extension for the night time tariff

d)    Further information on the recent tariff increases in November 2020 and August 2022

The Committee received a report on the Licensing Sub Committee Decisions for 2022/23.

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the contents of the report.

The Committee received a report on the Licensing Team Enforcement Activity Service Update for 2022/23.

Councillor Andrew Johnson raised a non-pecuniary interest as a Board Member of the Victoria Hall which had received a complaint against it.

Councillor Alastair Gunn requested further information on the reason behind the increase in complaints and the nature of the complaints. Adam Sherwood, Principal Licensing Officer, agreed to circulate further information to members.

RESOLVED that the Committee:

A     Noted the enforcement activity from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 carried out by the Licensing Team.

B     Noted the Service Delivery updates for 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

C     Noted the current progress and development to bring online applications to Taxi & Private Hire Licensing and Alcohol & Entertainment Licensing.

The Committee received a report on the Licensing Act Policy for consultation.

RESOLVED that:

A     The Committee approved the draft Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing

Policy 2024-2029, as set out in Appendix A to the report, and instructed a 10-

week public consultation.

B     Following the consultation, a report be brought to this Committee to consider any responses and to recommend to Full Council adoption of the Statement of Licensing Policy 2024-2029.

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.