Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director – Regulatory Services and Community Safety.

Purpose of report

This report introduces a first draft of the revised Statement of Licensing Policy (attached as Appendix 1). It explains the reason for the review, provides a summary of the main changes to the current policy, and outlines the consultation process followed. The Scrutiny Committee is requested to provide input to the policy before it is considered by the Executive and Full Council.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1      To provide views on the proposed changes and suggest any additional amendments they consider necessary.

Resolved

(1)       That the proposed changes to the Statement of Licensing Policy be supported.

The Committee considered a report from the Assistant Director – Regulatory Services and Community Safety that detailed a revised Statement of Licensing Policy.

The Assistant Director – Regulatory Services and Community Safety explained that the Council was required to review the policy at least every five years. The last review had taken place in 2015, with the revised policy taking effect from January 2016.

The proposed changes for the latest review related to policy changes around child exploitation and safeguarding, and the provision of 70% no smoking seating in external areas of licensed premises, similar to the requirements under pavement licence conditions.

A public consultation had been held between 8 December 2020 and 5 January 2021, and although some licence holders had queried how the changes would affect them, no comments had been made on the proposals.

Following questions from the Committee relating to Councillors and town/parish councils not being made aware of Licensing applications in their areas, the Assistant Director – Regulatory Services and Community Safety agreed to seek information and provide clarity regarding the advertisement and consultation process.

The Committee confirmed that they supported the proposed changes to the Licensing Policy.

Resolved

(1)       That the proposed changes to the Statement of Licensing Policy be supported.