Agenda, decisions and minutes

1.1  Apologies for lateness from Cllrs: Conway and Ross

1.2  It was noted that Councillors Councillors Conway, Fajana-Thomas, Moema, Sizer, Ross and, Wrout had joined the meeting remotely.

1.3  Councillors accessing the meeting remotely, were reminded that they were not counted as being ‘present’ for the purposes of the Local Government Act 1972 and may not vote on any item under consideration. At the discretion of the Chair, may however contribute to the discussion and participate in non-decision making capacity

2.1  There were no declarations of interest.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 December 2022.

RESOLVED: To agree the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 December 2022 as a true and accurate record of proceedings.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 December 2022 ne agreed as a true and accurate record of proceedings.

Update on matters arising from December’s meeting:

·  Paragraph 4.4 - The Late Night Levy Manager advised that work had been undertaken with the Council’s Communication Team to create the Late Night Levy 2023 communication plan. Further information was provided within the report to be considered at agenda item 4.

·  Paragraph 4.4 - The Late Night Levy Manager confirmed that all Committee Members had been added to the on-line portal and distribution lists.

·  Paragraph 5.4 -The Licensing Team Leader confirmed that representatives for the Licensing Team had attended the Policy Steering Group.

The Committee NOTED the responses

RESOLVED: To note the report and the appendices

4.1  Samantha Mathys, Late Night Levy (LNL) Manager introduced the report, which provided an update on the Late Night Levy activities during the first quarter of Year 6 (1 November 2022 to 31 January 2023). The levy year ran from 1 November to 31 October.

4.2   The following points were highlighted:

Income

·  The levy continued to return to normal income levels. Officers were in the process of collecting the arrears accumulated during the pandemic. Income circa of 153k had so far been confirmed for quarter 1 which ran from November 2022-January 2023. A full financial report would be presented to the Committee at the first meeting of the Municipal Year.

Expenditure

·  Members were referred to the table at Paragraph 2, Appendix  1 of the report and advised that the expenditure did not include the salaries or enforcement funding which would be outlined in the annual report.

·  The expenditure (£4,320) on the CCTV radio link system included the purchase of additional radios for the venue radio scheme. New licensees  were being signed up weekly to this scheme. Radios remained on designated premises but could be relocated if not in use. Usage was monitored and training was provided to venue staff to encourage more use.

·  It was explained that the mobile messaging system was a giant digital billboard that was driven around the Night Time Economy area(s) from 8pm to 1.00am. Costs for usage was predominantly during the festive period and the 16 day campaign of eliminating violence against women and girls.

·  Costs for policing (£23,251.5) were for August to October 2022.

·  Costs for the redeployable cameras covered moving them around the borough. New cameras had been installed in Lower Clapton and Kingsland High Street, Hoxton.

·  Medical Provision (First Responders) costs included the additional provision for Thursdays (usually Friday-Sunday) during December and other festive periods (£19,121.00).

Training Crime Prevention and Engagement

·  A special pubwatch / WAVE (welfare and vulnerability engagement) training was held with partners in November 2022 prior to the World Cup. This was the  largest yet, with over 100 attendees. 

·  Engagement was at an all time high. This was attributed to the growth of the online portal and its ability to reach and disseminate information quickly.

·  A new revamped and updated program of WAVE training conducted in partnership with the Police and Tower Hamlets had been confirmed until March 2024. This would be held monthly at no cost to licensed premises. Details of what would be covered were set out at paragraph 3.2 of Appendix 1.

·  There had been a rise in the reporting of sexual harassment which was credited to the work of raising awareness and encouraging people to report such incidents.

·  Online training take-up peaked in November and December 2022. Online training was shown to be the most practical method of training and the team will be looking to expand the online training offer during 2023.

·  Hackney Nights’ contribution to the 16 days of action campaign against the elimination of violence against women and girls was highlighted.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Report to follow.

RESOLVED:

(i)  To approve the Draft Statement of Licensing Policy being published for consultation.

(ii)  To authorise the Group Director of Climate Homes and Economy to make any non-substantive changes to the Draft Policy as appropriate.

5.1  David Tuitt, Business Regulation Team Leader introduced the report (contained within the supplementary agenda). which provided an update on the review of the Statement of Licensing Policy, ahead of public consultation. There was a requirement to review the policy at least once every five years.

5.2  Those required to be consulted in the preparation of the new policy included: responsible authorities, holders of premises licences, personal licences and club premises certificates. Revisions had been made to the preamble of the policy which included updated census data, reference to Hackney Nights and the Climate Action Plan. The most significant change related to the Special Policy Areas (SPAs) (Shoreditch and Dalston in current policy). This would now be generic- resulting in the general presumption to refuse applications for new and variation licences unless the applicant demonstrated they would not add to the cumulative impact. A  proposed lower tier special policy would be known as Special Consideration Areas (SCAs). Where evidence identified specific issues in these areas, the expectation would be for applicants to address these in their operating schedule.

5.3  A Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) was required to be reviewed every three years and was also being undertaken. The document would be evidence based and determine any areas that should be considered Special Policy or Special Consideration Areas.

5.4  Members asked question which were responded to as follows:

·  A traffic light system for venues based on incidents and breaches used by some other local authorities was primarily for enforcement purposes.

·  Home Office Guidance set out the criteria and steps for which to carry out a Cumulative Impact Assessment. It was the responsibility of the Authority to assess evidence and categorise areas accordingly.

·  Members were able to participate in the consultation process at committee stage or by contacting officers outside of the meeting.

·  In reference to the protection of children from harm Licensing Objective, the Licensing Team did not hold any data with regard to alcohol and children but this was likely to be available from other services (Public Health or Children’s Services)

·  Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEV) were determined by a separate policy, which was referenced and signposted in the Draft Licensing Policy. There were two SEV premises within the borough Licensed Under the Licensing Act 2003. There were no proposals to make any changes to the Sex Establishment Policy. It was quite common for a Sex Establishment Policy to set the number of premises as nil, making exceptions for experienced operators.

·  The issue of cumulative impact would remain a consideration in all areas including those that were not considered SPAs, or SCAs.

·  Following the close of the Draft Licensing Policy consultation at the end of May 2023, a report would be produced alongside any further required revisions to the policy which would be brought before a Special Licensing Committee in July (ACTION: Natalie Williams, Senior Governance Officer). Following consideration by the Licensing Committee, the draft policy would proceed to Full Council later in July for implementation on 31 July 2023.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

There was no urgent business for consideration.

6.1  There was no urgent business for consideration.