Agenda and minutes

This meeting is to be webcast and the Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone that this meeting will be filmed live or recorded, and uploaded to the internet and will be capable of repeated viewing.

Therefore, by participating in this meeting, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

If any public speakers on MS Teams do not wish to have their image captured, they should ensure that their video setting throughout the meeting is turned off and set to audio only.

Members and public speakersare reminded to turn on their microphones before speaking and turn them off when they have finished”.

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.

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 26 March 2024.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 March 2024 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Presentation by Essex Police.

Ronan McManus, Senior Licensing Officer, Essex Police, gave a presentation to the Committee which gave an overview of the role, processes and approach used by Essex Police Licensing Officers. The approach to inspections, the stepped approach to breaches of the licensing objectives and Licensing Act and when cases are taken forward for review.  It was highlighted that all case needs to be built with data and evidence.  Details of the different systems, databases used and information sharing were provided,

The Committee provided a range of comments and were advised that :

·         There would have been approximately 130 visits, from all parties in total, to licensed premises across the district since Jan 2024.

·         That the DPS did not need to be present on the licensed premises, but their influence must be in place.

·         A DPS was not required for a club premises certificate, however a set of conditions must be in place before an application for a club premises could be made, and less problems were recorded from this type of premises.

·         Information sharing did occur between partners.

·         Details of all licensed premises including the licence conditions were contained in a database, that the Police could access.

·         The Police Licensing Officers provided consistency of applying the licensing objectives across Essex.   The Polce were clear on their requirements which would be presented in the documentation presented to the licensing panel.

·         There was a good working relationship with Council Officers, and joint inspections took place.

The Committee commended the Council’s Licensing Officers on the licensing training given to members.

The Licensing Manager, D King  reminded the Committee that every application presented to a Sub-Committee should to be determined on its own merits and the role of the Sub- Committee was to challenge the evidence put forward from all parties, including the police,  and to remain impartial in reaching the decision.

The Chairman thanked Mr McManus for attending the meeting.

Resolved:

The Committee noted the presentation.

To comment and note the attached licensing statistics and taxi appeal update.

D King, Licensing Manager provided an update on an appeal hearing and an overview of the licensing statistics as detailed in the report.

Resolved:

The Committee noted the licensing statistics report

To consider and approve the guidance to Town and Parish Councils.

D King, Licensing Manger, advised the Committee that a guidance note for Town and Parish Councils on the Licensing Act 2003 had been drafted as requested.

Resolved:

The Committee endorsed the Licensing Act 2003 guidance note and agreed that this should be circulated to Town and Parish Councils.

To note the licensing policy updates.

Resolved

The Committee noted the current licensing policies and the indicative timescale for review.

The Committee were advised by D King, Licensing Manager, that the training module for licensing was available on Litmos and that specific one to one sessions could be provided if required.

Resolved:

The Committee agreed the current training programme was effective and no further training was required at this time.

Resolved:

There were no further matters for the consideration of the Committee.

The next meeting of the Licensing Committee has been scheduled for 3 April 2025 at 7.00pm in the Council Chamber.

Resolved:

The Committee noted the date of the next meeting was scheduled for 3 April 2025 at 7.00pm.