Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Council Cameron and Councillor Bell.

There were no declarations of interest.

3.1 The minutes of the meeting held on the 29 September 2016 were approved as a correct record subject to the attendance of members of the committee not being listed.

3.2 The Chair of the committee highlighted that at the meeting held on the 29 September, members specified that they would like a closed session at the end of the next committee to discuss the following items:

·  Overview of what has been happening at Sub Committees including recurring themes.

·  Legal Developments.

·  Licensing Enforcement general update and representations at Sub Committees.

·  Updates from other Responsible Authorities, namely the Police (although it was noted that they are likely to be particularly stretched over the Christmas period)

·  Update on activities of Pubwatch and any other steering groups

·  Barrister session

·  Case study (Members mentioned looking at Fabric, but it was noted that this may be subject to appeal and would be more useful once the entire process has been completed).

3.3 It was agreed that a closed session would be held after the next Licensing Committee so that amongst other things a legal update could be provided on the changes in legislation along with an update on the findings from the House of Lords’ Licensing Select Committee, who are due to release their report by the end of March.. Councillor Snell also requested that a discussion be had on TENs too.

4.1 The Licensing Officer informed members that the report provided the Licensing Committee with relevant information on the Licensing Act 2003 (“the Act”) and an update on the ongoing work to review the Statement of Licensing Policy (“the Policy”), and the “direction of travel” as a result of the evidence collection undertaken so far.

4.2 Members were advised that the review sought to revise the Policy as well as establish the principles to be applied for up to five years. The current Policy was approved as an interim measure prior to substantive engagement being undertaken ahead of a new draft being published for consultation.

4.3 Evidence gathering was ongoing to inform the review process. Quantitative data such as crime, anti-social behaviour, ambulance, accident and emergency and waste data as well as information held by the Licensing Service was currently being collated.

4.5 Also being undertaken was a Cost/Benefit analysis of the Evening and Night-time Economy. Both pieces of work will add to and complement the quantitative data such as crime, anti-social behaviour, ambulance, accident and emergency and waste as well as data held by the Licensing Service currently being collated.

4.6 In addition, a ‘behavioural audit’ was carried out by a commissioned consultant. The aim of this was to assess activities in and around the key areas of the borough, where higher concentrations of licensed premises were located. This would be used to highlight any area specific impacts as a result of licensed premises in the Borough. Members of the Committee commended the behavioural audit, further information was requested in relation to the consultant. Members were informed that the consultant had been commissioned to carry out a similar operation at Westminster City Council, and that the audit was carried out mid-summer 2016, the consultant also audited the travel plans associated with the night time economy.

4.7 Councillor Rathbone queried the cost of the operation. Cllr Snell queried whether the Licensing Committee should have been consulted before the operation was carried out. The Licensing Officer stated that he did not have the figure of cost available to hand.

4.8 Members were informed that the Licensing Policy Steering Group was set up to inform the development of the licensing policy, this would continue throughout the review process.

4.9 An outline of the timetable of tasks to be completed was highlighted to the committee.

4.10 It was explained to the Committee that the Council’s Public Health Service had noted that the increase in the number of alcohol licensed premises correlated with an increase in the number of alcohol related incidences recorded by the London Ambulance Service. Councillor Snell questioned why reported crime incidences had increased although the number of premises had not largely increased. The Licensing Officer suggested that residents had easier access or more confidence to report crime.

4.11 Councillor Kennedy questioned if Temporary Events Notices were investigated individually in relation to the audit. The Legal Officer stated that Temporary Events Notices were very different to premises licences as they were a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

There were no items of urgent business.