Agenda and minutes

1.            This meeting is to be webcast and Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking.

2.            The Chairman will read the following announcement:

 “I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the Internet and will be capable of subsequent repeated viewing, with copies of the recording being made available for those that request it.

By being present at this meeting, it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in your image becoming part of the broadcast.

You should be aware that this may infringe your human and data protection rights. If you have any concerns then please speak to the Webcasting Officer.”

The Chairman reminded everyone present that the meeting would be broadcast live to the internet and would be capable of repeated viewing, which could infringe their human and data protection rights.

To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made by the Councillors present pursuant to the Council’s Member Code of Conduct.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, together with paragraphs (6) and (24) of the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Constitution require that the permission of the Chairman be obtained, after prior notice to the Chief Executive, before urgent business not specified in the agenda (including a supplementary agenda of which the statutory period of notice has been given) may be transacted.

In accordance with Operational Standing Order (6) (non-executive bodies), any item raised by a non-member shall require the support of a member of the Committee concerned and the Chairman of that Committee. Two weeks notice of non-urgent items is required.

The Committee noted that there was no additional business for consideration at the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 22 March 2023 (attached).

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 01 November 2022 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The minutes from the Sub-Committee’s meetings will be available for the relevant Chairmen to sign off.

Mr Woodhall, Team Manager for Democratic & Electoral Services, informed the Committee that minutes from previous meetings of Licensing Sub-Committees would not requiring signing at this meeting, as DocuSign was being implemented. This agenda item would not appear on the agenda for future meetings of the Committee.

To consider the attached report regarding the Licencing statistics for the last 6 months.

Mr David King (Licensing Team Manager) updated the Committee on the number of applications received under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005 during the period 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023.

To consider the attached report regarding the national register of taxi and private hire licence revocation and refusals (NR3).

Mr King updated the Committee on the Council’s duties to update the National register of Taxi and Private Hire Licence Revocations and Refusals (NR3). This duty came into force as part of the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022 with the aim to improve public safety and confidence in Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing.

To consider the attached report regarding pavement licencing.

Mr King informed the committee that on the current regime on Pavement Licensing, which was due to end on 30 September 2023, had been extended for a further twelve months until 30 September 2024.

To consider the attached report concering temporary event notices.

Mr King (Licensing Team Manager) advised the Committee that the government had announced that the maximum annual number of Temporary Events Notices which a premises could apply for would return to 15, from the current 20, and that the maximum number of days on which temporary events could be held would be 21 per year.

To consider the attached report concerning ‘Martyn’s Law’.

Mr King (Licensing Team Manager) updated the committee on the Protect Duty, (‘Martyn’s Law’), which was at the Draft Bill stage. The aim of the legislation was to reduce the risk to the public from terrorism at public venues.

In response to questions from the Committee, Mr King explained that:

·        Free training was already available on-line for organisations.

·         The measures would apply to all venues with a capacity of 100 or more.

·        Monitoring needed to determine sufficient Risk Assessment for different size venues.

·        No information was currently available onenforcement measures, which would be determined by the Secretary of State.

·        The Council would need its own plan and would engage with organisations across the District when further information was available.

·         There was no information currently available regarding possible financial support to implement these measures.

The Committee felt that the measures proposed was not proportionate to the threat level, and Mr King highlighted that concerns had been raised about the Bill at the Home Affairs Select Committee.    

      Action:

      (1)        Mr King to signpost to further information on Martyn’s law.

To review the proceedings of the Licensing Sub-Committee held during the preceding period and consider any issues of procedure, policy or organisation that have adversely affected the operation or management of meetings.

The Committee believed that the current procedures were sufficient and working well.

To highlight any further training considered necessary for the members tasked with discharging the Council’s Licensing function.

The Committee felt that the current training was satisfactory. D King advised the Committee that the Licensing Training would be available online on Litmos in the near future.

To consider any further matters arising in respect of the Council’s Licensing function, not covered elsewhere on the agenda.

D King informed the Committee that the Taxi Fares tariff public consultation exercise had been agreed by the Cabinet and would commence in November for 28 days. If there were no objections to the consultation, the new tariff would be implemented, but if there were any objections, the Taxi Fares tariff will need to be referred back to the Cabinet for a final decision.

The next meeting of the Licensing Committee has been scheduled for 19 March 2024 at 10.00am in the Council Chamber.

The Committee noted that the next meeting was scheduled for 19 March 2024.