Agenda item

RESOLVED:  To note the report

5.1  Samantha Mathys, Late Night Levy Manager introduced the report, which provided an update on the Late Night Levy activities during the second and third quarters of Year 5 (1 February 2022-31 July 2022), It was explain that the levy year runs from 1 November to 31 October.

5.2  The following points were highlighted:

Income and Expenditure

·  Normal post pandemic income had been resumed with an increase in income from year 4

·  The total receipts in year 5 amounted to £251.716.

·  There is a balance of £146.232

·  Thee is approximately £490k outstanding from previous years due to the period in the pandemic when collection was paused

·  The police spend from July to April  is £144.376. The agreement with the police runs from 3-6 months. There is a delay between provision of service and invoicing. Activity for year 5 will be invoiced in year 6.

·  It was explained that there were four redepolyable CCTV cameras which could be moved around the borough in Night Time Economy (NTE) areas. The 3 year data package renewal for these amounted to £6.038

5.3  It was explained that the work undertaken by the Hackney Nights Team could be divided into three sections: (1) Crime prevention and engagement as set out at Appendix 1 Paragraph 4 which also included the accreditation scheme. (2) Enforcement and welfare as set out at Appendix 1 paragraph 5 which included the police plan focussed on reducing: vulnerability and violence especially against women and girls, thefts and substance misuse. (3) Communication and information sharing with stakeholders as set out at Appendix 1 paragraph 5 which included use of the Hackney Nights Portal and plans for a robust communications strategy.

5.4  Members of the Committee commented and asked questions which were responded to as follows:

·  There was a statutory duty to collect fees. The 490k dated back to a period in the pandemic where collection was not actively followed up in light of the financial challenges faced by many premises due to being non-operational during lock down, The Council had lobbied central government along with other councils to get an exemption for this period.  The Council however remained obliged to collect all the outstanding amounts, until such time that an exemption was agreed by central government.

·  In light of the cost of living crisis, the rise in energy costs and subsequent impact on businesses, every effort would be made to employ a pragmatic approach where possible and offer flexible payment options for those premises with outstanding fees.

·  Hackney Nights activities (including dedicated enforcement) had been tasked to Dalston. Following the pilot scheme of the medics team in Shoreditch, this had been extended to Dalston, Hackney Wick, Hackney Central and Stoke Newington. Police resources would focus primarily where needed. All 5 areas were taken into consideration when assessing how best to distribute resources in the most proportionate way.

·  There were limitations on how the  outstanding 490k income could be spent as 70% would have to be spent on policing with 30% going to the local authority.

·  With regard to a question about one of the deployable cameras not being operational, the Head of Community Safety, Enforcement and Business Regulation agreed to provide an answer to this question outside of the meeting.

·  It was anticipated approximately 10% of LNL premises would take up the accreditation scheme based on research from other local authorities with similar schemes. Accredited venues benefit from a 30% reduction on the Late Night Levy.

·  It was reported that it was difficult to impose mandatory training/requirements on all premises which were not part of the accreditation scheme, even on important issues such as safeguarding. Conditions could be imposed on the premises licence which would only be triggered in the event of an application for a new licence  or a variation. Monthly free training sessions were available to all premises, not just LNL premises. Officers continued to make every effort to engage with all premises and the take-up of training had been encouraging especially with the larger venues. A support officer had been recruited to assist with engaging premises. Officers also regularly attended the monthly Pubwatch schemes (Dalston, Shoreditch, Hackney Central & London Fields and Stoke Newington) where training was promoted and awareness on key issues raised. A monthly newsletter was circulated to all venues who attend,

·  The spending and allocation of funds (where applicable) was decided by the LNL Board which was composed of business representatives, the police,  Councillors and the Hackney Nights and Licensing Teams.  The Board took decisions collectively as a group.

·  It was confirmed that premises that were in arrears could still apply to be part of the accreditation scheme. Membership had to be renewed annually to entitle the 30% reduction in LNL fees.

·  Enforcement officers, police and medics team communicated via a radio system and prioritised their response based on need. Whether they remained a permanent feature was dependent on the income received. Costs were currently being absorbed by the shortfall in the police budget. Further funding was continuously sought through alternative sources.

·  Police overtime rates referred to on page 31 of the agenda were for hours worked outside of normal working/core hours. However, sometimes hours in the LNL areas counted towards core hours. Hours were variable and dependent on each officer.

·  The Chair spoke of his experience of having attended a walkabout in the Shoreditch area and accompanying officers and police during peak hours. He encouraged  Members, where possible, to do the same in order to capture first hand learning experience and to gain a better understanding of some of the common issues.

RESOLVED:  To note the report