Agenda and minutes

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on:

The minutes of the Committee of the Licensing Authority meetings held on 13 November 2012 and 15 May 2013 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(Members are no longer required to declare personal of prejudicial interests but are to declare any new Disclosable Pecuniary Interests that are not currently included in their Register of Interests.

Members are reminded that under the Code of Conduct they are not to participate in the whole of an agenda item to which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest.  In the interests of transparency, members may also wish to declare any other interests that they have, in relation to an agenda item, that supports the Nolan principles detailed within the Code of Conduct.)   

No interests were declared.

To advise the Committee on the power to introduce an Early Morning Alcohol Restriction Order (report of the Assistant Director of Commissioning enclosed)

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director of Commissioning which provided information on the power to introduce an Early Morning Alcohol Restriction Order (EMRO).

Members noted that the Early Morning Alcohol Restriction Order (EMRO) was a power awarded to Licensing Authorities, which came into effect on 31 October 2012.

The Licensing and Business Support Manager advised that there was no specific interest in having an EMRO in place at this point in time.  However, it was a potential tool which could be used if changes occurred in the future and it was deemed necessary.  

DECISION:

That the report be noted.

To obtain authority to amend a gambling fee (report of the Assistant Director of Commissioning enclosed)

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director of Commissioning which sought approval to amend a gambling fee for betting premises and family entertainment centres.

Members noted that an error had occurred during the budget setting process, which had raised the annual gambling fee from £540, in 2012/13, to £610 for 2013/14.  However, the legal maximum fee was £600.  Officers had proposed to reduce the fee back to £540 to ensure that the authority was not liable.  Members were advised that no one had been overcharged during the 2013/14 period, and therefore there would be no repercussions to the authority.

DECISION:

That the annual gambling fee be amended to £540 for the 2013/14 period.  

To advise the Committee on the power to introduce The Late Night Levy (report of the Assistant Director of Commissioning enclosed)

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director of Commissioning which provided information on the power the introduce he Late Night Levy.

Members noted that the Late Night Levy was a power awarded to Licensing Authorities, which came into effect on 31 October 2012.

The Licensing and Business Support Manager advised that the levy only affected the sale of alcohol and not the consumption.  Members felt that there was no evidence to have a levy in place at the current time.  However, it was a potential tool which could be used if changes occurred in the future and it was deemed necessary.

DECISION:

That the report be noted.

The Licensing and Business Support Manager reminded members that approximately one year ago various issues had been reported within the local press regarding street drinking and the sale of alcohol from off-licences etc.  As a result a Working Group had been set up to look at the potential of producing a Cumulative Impact Policy for Spalding Town Centre. 

The Licensing and Business Support Manager advised that in order to implement a policy a thorough evidence base was required, and various groups, including the Police and Fire Services etc had reviewed their evidence to see what could be pulled together.  Independent legal advice had been sought and the general view was that a Cumulative Impact Policy was not the ideal option for Spalding.  However, having the Working Group in place had been an excellent opportunity for partnership working and a number of opportunities had been created as a result.  A report was due to be presented to Cabinet in July 2013 which would outline the work that had been carried out.

The Chairman advised that across the country there were approximately 93 Cumulative Impact Policies in place, most of which related to the night time economy, which was not relevant to South Holland.  Members noted the various projects which had arisen as a result of the Working Group, such as the implementation of the Street Pastor Project, and the increased signage of the Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) area in Spalding, etc.

The Chairman reported the success of the Street Pastor Project.  On 12 July 2013 the first Pastors would be out in Spalding.  An inaugural church service was scheduled that afternoon to which councillors would be invited.  He added that as a result of the partnership working a ‘toolbox’ of options was being put together in order to combat street drinking.

Councillor D J Wilkinson queried the use of the Pubwatch Scheme.  The Chairman advised that the Pubwatch Scheme in Spalding was no longer functional.  However, an Offwatch Scheme had been created, which had linked radios and CCTV between off licences and the Police. 

The Chairman reported that changes to the Cabinet system, with the increase from two to four Junior Portfolio Holders, meant that he would have additional support with his portfolio, to which licensing would be an ideal aspect in which to receive assistance.