Issue - meetings

Members were informed of the proposed consultation to be undertaken about the revision of the Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy. This would become the Council’s policy with respect to dealing with applications for licenses and those holding licences to sell alcohol or provide regulated entertainment within the Borough.

The Committee heard that the Licensing Authority, on behalf of the Council, was about to consult on a revised Policy Statement for the Licensing Act 2003. The consultation was being undertaken from 20^th July to 11^th October 2019, and would be on a national and local level with businesses and organisations that would be affected by the policy. It was also confirmed that residents of the Borough would be consulted through the Councils’ website and residents associations.

The Committee was informed that the policy should be updated every 5 years and as the last policy was adopted in 2015, approval of the revised policy was deemed a key decision and would be considered by Full Council at the meeting scheduled on 23^rd January 2020.

The report highlighted notable changes such as:-

·         changes to the application process for a personal licence to include a check on the right to work in the UK

·         the licensing authority’s powers to revoke personal licences where holders have been convicted of relevant offences 

·         inclusion of the list of national, mandatory premises licence conditions

Other amendments were:

·         updated information about the borough including the numbers of premises issued with licences

·         a section on the role of public health, alcohol and licensing

A fully tracked changes version of the revised policy was included within the agenda at Appendix 1.

Members were asked to review the revised policy and to feed back any comments or changes by end of play on Monday, 22^nd July 2019.

RESOLVED – That Members note the report and put forward any recommendations they may have for inclusion in the revised policy.