RECOMMENDATION:
To discuss with Essex Police the issues around the night time economy.
The Licensing Section has been approached by Essex Police who requested a meeting to discuss issues around the night time economy. With the agreement of the Chairman we have agreed to invite the Police to our extra ordinary meeting on 3 December 2013.
More details will be given at the meeting.
Minutes:
The meeting was addressed by Inspector Andy Fusher, from Essex Police. He had approached the Council and asked to address the Licensing Committee to discuss issues around the night time economy. The committee noted that Inspector Fusher covered the Epping Forest District and he had come to speak about licenced premises. He had attended a conference a few weeks back on the subject of licenced premise. He was not saying that any of the current licensing premises were causing any major problems, but that the night time economy always had its own particular problems. Addressing the few taxi drivers present he noted that that they had first hand experience about this, as they had the job to get people off home as soon as possible after the clubs or pubs closed.
The Police, in partnership with the other relevant authorities needed to ensure that everyone had a safe and secure life in the district. They were looking at identifying any relevant areas that needed to be focused on and they had three particular areas that they had in mind. They were looking to deal with this in a positive way by working in partnership with sister organisations and hoped to see a lot of proactive activity from the district authority as well as the local Town or Parish Councils to enable people to live in a safe area. They were looking at their partnership with EFDC as well as the County Council and were asking for the support of the council. They would also like to ask the taxi drivers help in this endeavour as they were key in helping to clear the town centres late at night. Could they identify places where they could park outside the clubs ready for closing time? If there were no designated parking places could the police and/or local authority effectively waive parking restrictions and allow taxis to temporarily park in convenient places other than designated parking places?
Councillor Smith was pleased to hear of this proactive approach that the police would be taking. She asked who had represented EFDC at this joint meeting that he had attended. And to what lengths were you going to, to interact with local businesses? Inspector Fusher said that Jim Nolan and Kim Tuckey had attended on behalf of EFDC. This would be the focus for our partnerships. We would meet with the licensed premises management by visiting them, hopefully going when we were not expected. Initially we shall let people know what we were doing, before visiting for the first time. We would need local information to help us in carrying this out.
Councillor Lion said this was alright for existing premises but he was worried about new applications. We needed information from the Police to help us in our decisions. Inspector Fusher said he was aware of this and was looking to tackle it with the help of local officers. Sometimes it was an information problem. Councillor Sartin noted that a lot of problems could have been averted if they had better information at the start. Inspector Fusher replied that she could hold him to account at their next meeting if this situation had not improved.
Councillor Angold-Stephens asked the Inspector what his views were on having meters in taxis. Inspector Fusher replied that he was aware of the problems in other areas prior to the placing of meters. Some of the problems were caused by outsiders coming into an area and plying for trade. He supported the use of meters as it gave the public confidence that they could trust the charges made.
Councillor Spencer asked when the Inspector would start working on the three areas he wanted to concentrate on. Inspector Fusher said they had started already and any joint action/inspections would probably commence in the new year. He aimed to make clubs act responsibly towards their clients.
The Chairman thanked Inspector Fusher for his presentation and his thoughts on the night time economy and agreed that effective partnership working was something to aim at.