Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Committee Room 3 - 3rd Floor - Civic Centre. View directions

Contact: Linda Banbury, Democratic Support Officer  Email:  linda.banbury@wolverhampton.gov.uk Tel: 01902 555040

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Rita Potter.

2.

Declarations of interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

3.

Minutes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 88 KB

(a) Meeting, 10 September 2014 (for approval)

 

(b) Sub-Committee – meetings, 3, 10, 18 September and 22 October (for approval and adoption)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved:

            (a) That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 10 September 2014 be approved as a correct record.

 

            (b) That the minutes of the meetings of the Sub-Committee held on 3, 10, 18 September and 22 October 2014 be approved as a correct record and adopted.

4.

Matters arising

Minutes:

Responding to a Councillor’s question, the Licensing Manager advised that a private hire vehicle driver had appealed the Licensing Sub Committee’s four month suspension of his licence to the Magistrates’ Court. The appeal had been dismissed due to the appellant’s non-attendance and a further appeal had been made to the Crown Court.

 

The Chair reminded the Committee of the planned night-time economy visit on 6 December 2014 and urged as many members as possible to participate in the event.

5.

Schedule of outstanding minutes pdf icon PDF 59 KB

Minutes:

Resolved:

            That the report be received.

6.

The Licensing Authority and Safeguarding Children pdf icon PDF 86 KB

To endorse the proposal for formalisation and expansion of work to include other regulatory functions through the establishment of the Regulatory Services and Safeguarding Forum

Minutes:

The Licensing Manager presented a report, which sought endorsement to the proposal for formalisation and expansion of work to include other regulatory functions through the establishment of the Regulatory Services and Safeguarding Forum.  It was noted that the Forum was fully supported by the Director for Public Health and that, if the model proved successful, it could be rolled out across the Council.  It was further noted that there was no such formal Forum established elsewhere in the West Midlands.  The Committee were advised that ‘e’ learning training in regard to safeguarding was to be provided for staff within Regulatory Services.

 

The Committee welcome the proposal and it was suggested that representation also be sought from the West Midlands Police and School Liaison.

 

Councillor Collingswood drew attention to an online course and face to face training which was available for Councillors.

 

Resolved:

            (a) That the regular engagement that has taken place between employees from Licensing Services and Safeguarding be noted.

 

            (b) That the proposals for formalisation and expansion of this work to include other regulatory functions, through the establishment of the Regulatory Services and Safeguarding Forum, be endorsed.

 

            (c) That a further report be presented in twelve months regarding the outcomes of the Forum.

7.

Licensing Act 2003 - Review of Statement of Licensing Policy pdf icon PDF 86 KB

To approve the draft policy and endorse the consultation arrangements.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Licensing Manager presented a report, which sought approval of the draft Statement of Licensing Policy and endorsement of the consultation arrangements. Sergeant A S Reeves of the West Midlands Police attended the meeting to provide information to the Committee on this item.  A Powerpoint presentation was provided, which outlined the summary of major policy revisions, revised City Centre Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) and new proposed CIZs in Bilston Town Centre, Wednesfield Town Centre, Dudley Road and the Avion Centre. Sergeant Reeves expanded on the crime figures provided in respect of CIZs.

 

The Licensing Manager stressed that colleagues were mindful, in drawing up the proposals, of not wishing to deter growth and economic activity in all of the CIZs.

 

Responding to Councillors’ comments and observations, the Licensing Manager:

·         undertook to attend a meeting of the Wednesfield Traders’ Association as part of the consultation process;

·         raise the issue of the boundary for the Wednesfield Town Centre CIZ at the relevant PACT meeting, and

·         investigate the issue raised regarding alcohol related anti-social behaviour on the Tettenhall and Compton Roads (near Chapel Ash).

 

It was noted that the consultation period would last for twelve weeks and that the draft policy would be considered by the Licensing Committee on 18 March 2015 for submission to full Council on 3 April 2015.

 

Resolved:

            (a) That the draft Statement of Licensing Policy, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved for consultation.

 

            (b) That the consultation arrangements detailed at Section 5 of the report be endorsed.

 

            (c) That a further report be presented to the Licensing Committee on 18 March 2015, following completion of the consultation process.