Issue - meetings

Environmental Services and Sustainability Portfolio

To consider report HCS/08 of the Head of Community Services, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 4 February 2019.

The Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability presented report HCS/08 of the Head of Community Services which sought approval for the Statement of Licensing Policy 2019-2024. The Cabinet were informed that under the Licensing Act 2003, the Council as the Licensing Authority was required to determine and publish a ‘Statement of its Licensing Policy’ at least once every five years. The only proposed changes to the previous policy related to legislation changes.

As part of the statutory process for reviewing the policy, a 12 week period consultation was held, however there was only one response, that being from WSCC’s Public Health Team. Their comments over the need to highlighting the effects of alcohol on individuals’ behaviour and the long term damage of drinking, had been incorporated as the part of the Alcohol and Health foreword to the policy.

The proposed Statement of Licensing Policy for 2019-2024, was set out in Appendix B to report HCS/08, and it had regard to the Section 182 Guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

Councillor Cheshire presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 4 February 2019. The Commission raised some concerns whether there was a need within the Town for a Cumulative Impact Policy, over the number of premises that could serve alcohol.

Councillors Skudder and B. Smith spoke as part of the discussion on the report.

RESOLVED

That the that Full Council approves and adopts the proposed revised Statement of Licensing Policy 2019-2024 made under the Licensing Act 2003 (Appendix B to report HCS/08).

Reasons for the Recommendations

To agree and develop the proposed strategy to discharge the Council’s role in its capacity of Licensing Authority for the 5 year period 2019–2024

To consider report HCS/08 of the Head of Community Services.

The Commission considered report HCS/08 of the Head of Community Services. The report sought approval for the Statement of Licensing Policy for the next five years. 

During the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability and the Environmental Health Manager, the following points were expressed:

·        Confirmation that the only response received following the consultation on the proposed draft policy was from Public Health at WSCC.

·        Support for a Cumulative Impact Policy to be considered next year. Confirmation that this would need to be evidence based in partnership with Public Health, where there is data that the concentration of licensed premises in an area (or town) is negatively impacting on the licensing objectives.

·        Acknowledgement that the Public Space Protection Order had been successful in various areas of the town.

·        Confirmation provided regarding film classification and licensing.

RESOLVED

That the Commission agreed to support the recommendations to the Cabinet.