Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Brackenridge. (Approved absence, on official Council business)

There were no declarations of interest.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 24

January 2018 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

There were no matters arising.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 27 February 2018 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 7 March 2018 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 29 March 2018 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 19 April 2018 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 25 April 2018 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

Joanne Till, Section Leader, Licensing, presented a report asking Members to:

1. Note the draft Statement of Gambling Policy, statement of principles and Local Area Assessment.
2. Endorse commencement of the statutory process for consultation.
3. Agree to receive a further report following the completion of the consultation.

Resolved:

That Members of the Licensing Committee:

1. Noted the draft Statement of Gambling Policy, statement of principles and Local Area Assessment.
2. Endorsed commencement of the statutory process for consultation.

Agreed to receive a further report following the completion of the consultation.

Joanne Till, Section Leader, Licensing, presented a report asking Members to note the content of the report.

The Section Leader discussed the Cumulative Impact Policy in further detail and responded to questions asked.

Members of the Committee raised concerns regarding off-licences within the city and an increase in day crime.

Sarah Hardwick, Senior Solicitor, offered clarification to questions asked and explained that under the Licensing Act 2003 the number of off licences could not be controlled.

Following further questions, it was agreed that the police would be invited to a future meeting to offer further guidance and clarification on the issues raised.

Resolved:

That Members of the Licensing Committee noted the content of the report.

Chris Howell, Licensing Manager, presented a report asking Members to note:

1. The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports proposals for Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (Fobts).

The Licensing Manager discussed the consultation in further detail and responded to questions asked.

Members of the Committee raised concerns regarding the high concentration of betting shops in certain areas and asked whether this could be addressed.

Sarah Hardwick, Senior Solicitor, and Colin Parr, Head of Business Services, explained that under the Gambling Act 2005 the number of betting shops could not be controlled but it did ensure they were operating safely.

In response to further questions, Chis Howell, Licensing Manager, advised that Licensing were working closely with Public Health with regards to Gambling.

Resolved:

1. That Members noted The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports proposals for Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (Fobts).

Chris Howell, Licensing Manager, presented a report asking Members to:

1. Approve the commencement of a review of the taxi rank provision and traffic regulation orders within the city centre.

In response to questions asked, the Licensing Manager assured Members that the proposed consultation would be more than just a ‘paper exercise’ and agreed to consult with the City Centre Board during the review.

Following further discussions, it was agreed that Members of the Committee would be provided with a briefing note detailing The City Centre Board membership and functions.

Resolved:

That Members of the Licensing Committee:

1. Approved the commencement of a review of the taxi rank provision and traffic regulation orders within the city centre.

Chris Howell, Licensing Manager, presented a report asking Members to:

1      Approve the proposed discretional private hire vehicle operator conditions of licence.

2      Delegate authority to the Licensing Manager in consultation with the Chair of Licensing to add approved additional conditions as deemed appropriate.

3      Delegate authority to the Licensing Manager to draft appropriate conditions, in consultation with the Chair of Licensing, and add to standard private hire driver conditions as necessary.

In response to questions asked, The Licensing Manager confirmed that all vehicles licensed by the Authority must hold a valid MOT certificate from an approved garage and undertake regular compliance checks.

Following further discussions, the Licensing Manager explained the Deregulation Act 2015 and assured Members that all drivers and vehicles, wherever located, were vigorously vetted and monitored.

Resolved:

That Members of the Licensing Committee:

1      Approved the proposed discretional private hire vehicle operator conditions of licence.

2      Delegated authority to the Licensing Manager in consultation with the Chair of Licensing to add approved additional conditions as deemed appropriate.

3      Delegated authority to the Licensing Manager to draft appropriate conditions, in consultation with the Chair of Licensing, and add to standard private hire driver conditions as necessary.

Appendices 3-5 of this report are exempt by virtue of paragraph(s) 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Chris Howell, Licensing Manager, presented a report asking Members to:

1      Endorse and approve the proposals in section 2 of this report relating to category 2 decisions.

2      Endorse and approve the proposals in section 2 of this report relating to category 3 decisions.

3      Delegate category 3 decision making powers to the Service Director of City Environment.

4      Note the schedule attached at Appendix 1 to this report which includes further proposed delegations from the Service Director of City Environment.

5      Note the schedule of employee decisions for 2017/18 attached at Appendix 2 to this report in relation to the Licensing Authority as a Responsible Authority.

6      Note the schedule of employee decisions for 2017/18 attached at Appendix 3 to this report in relation to new hackney carriage and private hire applications. [Exempt item]

7      Note the schedule of employee decisions for 2017/18 attached at Appendix 4 to this report in relation to hackney carriage and private hire reviews. [Exempt item]

8      Note the schedule of decisions for 2017/18 attached at Appendix 5 to this report in relation Magistrates and Crown Court appeals. [Exempt item]

9      Agree to receive further annual delegation update reports at the beginning of each municipal year.

Resolved:

That Members of the Licensing Committee:

1      Endorsed and approved the proposals in section 2 of this report relating to category 2 decisions.

2      Endorsed and approved the proposals in section 2 of this report relating to category 3 decisions.

3      Delegated category 3 decision making powers to the Service Director of City Environment.

4      Noted the schedule attached at Appendix 1 to this report which includes further proposed delegations from the Service Director of City Environment.

5      Noted the schedule of employee decisions for 2017/18 attached at Appendix 2 to this report in relation to the Licensing Authority as a Responsible Authority.

6      Noted the schedule of employee decisions for 2017/18 attached at Appendix 3 to this report in relation to new hackney carriage and private hire applications. [Exempt item]

7      Noted the schedule of employee decisions for 2017/18 attached at Appendix 4 to this report in relation to hackney carriage and private hire reviews. [Exempt item]

8      Noted the schedule of decisions for 2017/18 attached at Appendix 5 to this report in relation Magistrates and Crown Court appeals. [Exempt item]

9      Agreed to receive further annual delegation update reports at the beginning of each municipal year.