Issue - meetings

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendation:

That Cabinet approve the draft Licensing Act Statement of Licensing Policy attached to this report as Appendix 1 for consultation in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

Consideration was given to the report which presented the draft Policy to Cabinet for review and approval prior to the commencement of a period of statutory consultation.

It was noted that a further report would be presented to Cabinet after the consultation had concluded for approval of the final Statement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 150

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendation:

That Cabinet approve the draft Licensing Act Statement of Licensing Policy attached to this report as Appendix 1 for consultation in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

Consideration was given to the report introduced by Councillor Taylor, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, and Alan Pogorzelec, Service Manager, regarding the Statement of Licensing Policy. It was noted that the policy formed part of the cyclical review process and sought to align the current licensing framework with previously adopted taxi policy decisions. Members were informed that the borough’s existing taxi licensing policies had been widely regarded as some of the most effective in the country, offering high levels of public protection. The revised Statement of Licensing Policy aimed to bring other areas of licensing in line with the ethos and ambition established through those prior decisions.

Further detail was provided on the scope and intent of the proposed policy. Members were informed that the policy took an ambitious approach, mirroring the borough’s leading stance on taxi licensing. While the Licensing Act 2003 policy had previously adhered strictly to statutory requirements, this revision demonstrated a broader vision, aiming to enhance local standards and outcomes.

It was noted that the report had been presented at a previous meeting, but issues had arisen regarding the completeness of the documentation. In particular, key appendices had been omitted at the time. Members’ attention was therefore drawn to the appendices included in the current report – specifically Appendices F, G and H – which contained significant additions and revisions, highlighted in yellow for clarity. The main body of the policy remained largely unchanged, save for updates reflecting legislative amendments and minor procedural refinements. However, the appendices contained more substantial changes. Appendix F detailed policies related to the licensing objectives, Appendix G detailed premises specific policies, while Appendix H introduced measures concerning environmental best practices, women's safety, and the implementation of core operating hours. Additional clarification had also been provided throughout the document concerning the management of large-scale events.

Additionally, it was informed that while the management of large events was not new at the national level, it represented an emerging area of focus within the borough. Reference was made to the success of the Reyton’s concert in Clifton Park, which had sparked further interest in hosting similar events locally. The policy therefore included provisions aimed at facilitating well-managed, responsible large events, including those at Wentworth Woodhouse and Hooton Lodge.

In conclusion, it was emphasised that the revised policy struck a careful balance. While ensuring the effective implementation of the Council’s responsibilities under the Licensing Act, it also supported economic development by avoiding an overly restrictive or bureaucratic approach. Members welcomed the ambition and considered the policy a positive step forward for licensing across the borough.

The Chair invited members of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB) to raise questions and queries on the points raised earlier.

Councillor McKiernan sought clarification on how current licence holders would be informed of the proposed changes to the Statement of Licensing Policy. Concern was expressed that simply issuing the updated policy may not be sufficient and that additional steps should be taken to ensure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendation:

That Cabinet approve the draft Licensing Act Statement of Licensing Policy attached to this report as Appendix 1 for consultation in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

This item was deferred to the next meeting of Cabinet which would take place on Monday 14 April 2025.

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendation:

That Cabinet approve the draft Licensing Act Statement of Licensing Policy attached to this report as Appendix 1 for consultation in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

At the Chair’s invitation the Assistant Director Community Safety and Street Scene introduced the report which was regarding the Licensing Act 2003.  The report covered licensing on aspects such as bars, pubs and clubs and the sale of alcohol. It covered regulated entertainment such as music, indoor sports etc and it covered late night refreshments. The Council had to produce a statement of licensing policy. which had to be reviewed every five years.  Licencing officers had undertaken informal consultation with various partners, local license holder and taken account of feedback and information that had feed into the policy. It was an ambitious policy in terms of setting out the Councils standards and expectations for how those kinds of regulated provisions were delivered across the borough along with promoting and supporting the licensing objectives. The report was seeking approval of the draft policy for a period of consultation.

The Assistant Director Community Safety and Street Scene explained that in terms of the Licensing Act objectives that were embedded within the Licensing Act 2003.  This was about the prevention of crime and disorder and was about the promotion of public safety, protection of children from harm, the prevention of public nuisance.

The Assistant Director Community Safety and Street Scene explained the specific aspects included were around counterterrorism, such as Martins Law and the development in relation to that along with further information about the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. The document sought to set out good practice in a range of different areas which included making adequate provision around the welfare of customers, management of issues like smoking and vaping, minimisation of waste, rehearsal of written contingency plans and enhanced safeguarding practices. The policy sought to recognise that it would cover a range of different premises and aimed to support those premises to think about their bespoke individual needs and how that related back to the policy. It was looking to promote equality and inclusion in licensed venues. It looked to further improve the experiences of communities that used licensed venues for any particular purpose.  It included aspects such as an inclusive transport policy, procedures, making sure venues were accessing regular training for staff.  It sought to promote environmental best practice. The policy sought to set out core hours that would be applicable to each individual different types of premises, but the changes would not mean that license applications would automatically be refused if it fell outside of those hours, but it provided an understanding of what the guiding principles were.

The Chair invited members of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB) to raise questions and queries on the points raised earlier. In response to a query from Councillor Yasseen the Assistant Director Community Safety and Street Scene explained the policy was trying to set a standard of expectation. It would not necessarily drive any particular enforcement against venues although it would provide a guide to the Council of what it believes was appropriate in those circumstances. On the issue  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98