Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J King.

Where a Councillor has a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest the Councillor must declare the interest to the meeting and leave the room without participating in any discussion or making a statement on the item, except where a Councillor is permitted to remain ad a result of a grant of dispensation.

There were none.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th February 2020 (copy enclosed).

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Committee of the Licensing Authority that was held on 13 February 2020.

The Chairman asked the Licensing and Business Support Manager to update the committee on Minute 10 of the meeting regarding talks with Bradford Council and also discussions with the Citizens Advice Bureau relating to gambling addiction and debt.  The Licensing and Business Support Manager informed the Committee that due to Covid-19 no further update could be provided, however it is intended that the proposed work would be undertaken at an appropriate time.

AGREED:

That the minutes be signed as a correct record.

To consider the proposed draft Statement of Licensing Policy (2021 to 2026) (Report of the Licensing and Business Support Manager enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Licensing and Business Support Manager relating to the proposed draft Statement of Licensing Policy (2021 to 2026).

The Licensing Team Leader informed the Committee that the Statement of Licensing Policy had been re-written to make it clearer to understand. There were various new and amended sections in the Policy which were explained to the Committee.  The following sections were noted.

·         Part 1 – no major amendments

·         Part 2 – not a new section but provided details giving the purpose and scope of the Licensing policy outlining the licensable activities that the Licensing Authority is responsible for, most importantly stating that the Licensing Authority must promote the licensing objectives.  The list of consultees was also included in this section. Details of these was provided in appendix 2 of the report.

·         Part 3 – There were 4 new sections; Delegations of function, Promotion of Equality – Equality Act 2010, Immigration Act 2016 and Protection of Privacy and Data Protection.

·         Part 4 – section had not changed.  The licensing objectives remained the same.  Section 4.3  had a new first sentence which defined public safety. Section 4.5 (The Protection of Children from Harm) this wording had been changed as there was duplication.

·         Part 5 – There were new sections added to bring this in line with Section 182 guidance.

·         Part 6 – This was a new section with a new introduction referencing a self-service approach to making an application. 

·         Part 7 – This had been revised in line with the guidance.

·         Part 8 – This remained unchanged as it was changed with the Councils own policy

·         Part 9 – This is a new addition to the policy.

The Committee were informed that if it agreed to approve the draft Policy, this would go out to consultation from Friday 11^th September 2020 to Friday 23^rd October 2020 at 6pm.

Members enquired as to whether there was any information regarding support for License Holders who were struggling to pay fees due to Covid-19.  The  Licensing and Business Support Manager informed members that a decision was taken with the Leader of the Council to not actively pursue annual fees under the Licensing Act.

AGREED:

That the Committee agree that the Revised Statement of Licensing Policy (2021 to 2026) be moved forward for public consultation.

Licensing and Business Support Manager and Licensing Team Leader to be in attendance to provide a verbal update on the functions that fall under the remit of the Committee of the Licensing Authority. 

The Licensing and Business Support Manger and Licensing Team Leader informed the Committee of updates relating to Licensing during the Covid-19 period which included the Business and Planning Act which allowed premises to be able to make use of their outdoor spaces in order to comply with government guidelines relating to social distancing. 

The Licensing and Business Support Manager also updated Members of the APLH training which was due to take place before Covid-19.  This training would now take place at a future date online.  The Chairman recommended that all Members attend the sessions.

AGREED:

That the update be noted.

There were none.