Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Board held on 12^th October, 2011 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Steve Parry, Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Manager, which asked for determination as to whether or not to progress the making of a single multi-location Designated Public Place Order across the Borough requested by the Safer Rotherham Partnership’s Joint Action Group.

In the creation of an Order, the Police would be provided with additional discretionary powers to stop the consumption of alcoholic drinks.   The powers would make it an offence for, when requested, someone not to stop drinking and/or surrender their drink.  The powers were used to address alcohol related nuisance, annoyance or public disorder.

The proposal had been previously considered in meetings of the Area Assembly Chairs, Overview and Scrutiny Management Board and the Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods on the 6^th, 21^st  and 31^st October, 2011 respectively.  At all meetings the proposal was supported for progression.

Should the Licensing Board be in favour of a Single Designated Public Place Order then the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services would be responsible for implementing the consultation process, including the publication of a notice in a local newspaper inviting representations as to whether or not the Order should be made.

Further information was provided on the legal position, requirements of making a Designated Public Place Order, the evidential position and assessment and the next steps that could be taken.

The Licensing Board welcomed the position to move towards a Single Order, but emphasised the risk of raising public expectation and the circumstances in which the Order would apply.  It was also suggested that clarification be provided as to the powers assigned to the Police Community Support Officers and whether there was to be consideration to extend their powers of enforcement.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the request by the Safer Rotherham Partnership’s Joint Action Group for the Council to establish a single multi location Designated Public Place Order be noted.

(2)  That, once the area to be designated was confirmed, the making of the proposed Designated Public Places Order be progressed and consultation, as prescribed by the Local Authorities (Alcohol Consumption in Public Places) Regulations 2001, be undertaken.

(3)  That a future report be submitted to the Licensing Board on the representations made during the consultative process to enable, if supported, the Council to establish a single multi-location Designated Public Places Order for Rotherham.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the Press and Public as being exempt under the Police Act 1997 and Paragraphs 3 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (business affairs and prevention of crime)

Resolved:- That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the Police Act 1997 and Paragraphs 3 and 7 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (business affairs and prevention of crime).

The Board considered reports by the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services relating to the hackney carriage/private hire drivers’ licences and private hire operators’ licences held by Messrs. N.R., S.A. and M.S.

Messrs. N.R. and S.A. attended the meeting and were interviewed by the Board.

Resolved:-   (1)  That the hackney carriage/private hire driver’s licences and private hire operator’s licence held by Mr. N.R. be revoked.

(2)  That the private hire operator’s licence held by Mr. S.A. be revoked.

(3)  That the application by Mr. M.S. be refused.

The Board considered reports by the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services relating to applications for the grant of hackney carriage/private hire drivers’ licences from Messrs.  B.A.H., A.A., A.K., Q.U.Z. and M.K.A.

Messrs.  B.A.H., A.A., A.K., Q.U.Z. and M.K.A. attended the meeting and were interviewed by the Board.

Resolved:- (1)  That the application in relation to Mr. B.A.H. be deferred to the next meeting in December, 2011.

(2)  That Messrs. A.A. and A.K. be granted licences for a period of twelve months subject to the satisfactory completion of the Driving Standards Agency test and medical.

(3)  That the applications by Messrs. Q.U.Z and M.K.A. be refused.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services relating to the hackney carriage/private hire driver’s licence held by Mr. A.I.

Resolved:-  That the hackney carriage/private hire driver’s licence held by Mr. A.I. be revoked.