Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Early Intervention (enclosed)

The Director of Early Intervention and Support submitted a report to advise Members of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee of the current statutory review of the Council’s Licensing Policy Statement made under the Licensing Act 2003 and to seek recommendation to full Council of the adoption of the Policy Statement subject to the outcome of the current consultation process.

The Council has a statutory duty under the Licensing Act 2003 to produce a Licensing Policy Statement. This duty requires a periodic review of the licensing statement on a date prescribed by the Secretary of State which is currently every 5 years.

A verbal update was provided by Lesley Miller, Regulatory Services Manager, advising that adoption of the final version of the policy could only be made by full Council as opposed to Executive Cabinet as was erroneously specified in the report.

Following Members queries it was confirmed that there had been a number of changes proposed in the document to reflect changes in organisations and structures that impact on the policy and include information pertinent to the public health and early intervention focus of the Council and also outline the additional tools available to the Licensing Authority to promote the licensing objectives.

Members were assured that although numerous changes had taken place over the last five years they were reflective of the changes to the organisations and the legal and application processes, however the fundamental underlying principles remained the same. 

It was proposed by Councillor John Walker, seconded by Councillor Gordon France and subsequently RESOLVED to recommend to Full Council that it adopt of the reviewed Licensing Policy Statement (Licensing Act 2003) subject to the following:

1.    On the expiration of the consultation period (11 September 2016) the Director of Early Intervention and Chair of Licensing and Public Safety Committee are given delegated authority to make any minor amendments arising out of any consultation responses.

2.    On the expiration of the consultation period (11 September 2016) any major changes considered to be necessary as a result of the consultation response will be reported back to the Licensing and Public Safety Committee for further consideration and approval.