Agenda item

To provide an update on activities relating to the work of the Licensing Authority (Report of the Executive Manager Public Protection is enclosed). 

The Licensing and Business Support Manager was in attendance to provide the Committee of the Licensing Authority with an update on the work which fell under the remit of the Licensing Authority.  The update covered the period of Quarter 1, 1 April 2016 – 30 June 2016. 

The Licensing Team were responsible for administering the statutory licensing framework, which governed businesses and regulated activities in South Holland. 

The Team carried out a wide range of interventions in order to ensure that licences and registrations are issued correctly and in accordance with legal provisions.  Officers were also involved in monitoring activity, which included; carrying out inspections, providing advice and performing investigations.  

The Committee of the Licensing Authority was provided with the following update:

Quarter 1: 1 April 2016 – 30 June 2016

The Committee considered the report and the following questions were asked:

Annual Fee Applications

·         This referred to renewal applications and not actual new application.

·         Would Winsover Road and Baltic be classed as new applications.

Clarification would be sought and confirmed following the meeting. 

TENS Applications

·         Did the Council supply TENS applications without alcohol?

Yes.  Every matter was dealt with on a case by case basis. 

The Licensing and Business Support Manager reported that she would provide a further breakdown with the Performance Report in respect of high, medium and low priorities. 

Members noted that an one of the Environmental Health Officers, with capacity, was being trained to carry out inspections to support the Licensing Team.  The Licensing and Business Support Manager advised that she would also be meeting with the Team Leader for Food, Health and Safety to discuss the potential for the team being trained to carry out licensing checks whilst doing their own food, health and safety inspections so that any issues could be picked up as part of their visits.  She was confident that overall performance would be increased, in terms of inspections, as part of those implemented changes. 

That Chairman emphasised the importance of councillors and officers reporting any issues that they were made aware of to the Licensing Team.  The Licensing and Business Support Manager added that she had recently set up a formalised way of sharing intelligence with the Police and Trading Standards.  In terms of public protection more flexible working approaches were being investigated.  The Licensing and Business Support Manager advised that she would be meeting with Human Resources to progress this. 

Members noted that new mobile devices were being supplied to officers to enable access to the licensing database when working away from the Council Offices.  In addition, security devices were being obtained for  team members. 

Councillor E Sneath requested that premises addresses be added to future performance reports so that committee members could identify their location and obtain a further understanding of issues.  She added that she had been informed of concerns from a resident in respect of a premises copying and using other business trademarks, and would provide further details to the Licensing and Business Support Manager following the meeting. 

Further updates were provided in respect of ‘Other Work’:

Meeting regarding Pubwatch

The Licensing Officer had met with the Pubwatch Chairman to discuss improved contact between the group and the Council.  As a result the Licensing Team had been invited to attend the next meeting.

Meeting regarding Community Alcohol Partnership

The Licensing and Business Support Manager reported that she would be working with the Communities Manager on that area in Quarter 3.

Cumulative Impact Policy information gathering

An update would be provided at a future meeting.

Investigation of complaints including SIA door staff and small society lottery

That was a police issue, which had since been dealt with.

Ongoing development of website and online applications facility for Licensing Act 2003 applications

The Licensing Team were moving forward with that area in line with the Council’s approach to digitalisation. With implementation expected in September 2013, an update would be provided at a future meeting. 

DECISION:

a)      That the report be noted;

b)      That future Performance Reports include high, medium and low priorities and premises addresses; and

c)      That the Licensing and Business Support Manager provide members with the information requested, as noted above.