Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Licensing Manager, stating that Part 9 of the Gambling Act 2005 permits local authorities to issue temporary use notices allowing the use of premises for gambling where there is no premises licence, but where a gambling operator wishes to use the premises temporarily for providing facilities for gambling.

The report stated that the maximum fee that a licensing authority may charge for the issue of a Temporary Use Notice is £500.00. It was proposed that the fee charged by Rotherham Borough Council for the issue of a Temporary Use Notice be £375.00, equivalent to 75% of the maximum allowed and in line with the other fees charged by this Authority under the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005. This fee would be reviewed annually together with all other fees charged by the Authority.

Resolved:- That the fee for the issue of a Temporary Use Notice in accordance with the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005 be set at £375.00.

The Committee considered a report by the Licensing Manager together with correspondence received from the Rother Valley West Area Assembly regarding proposals in respect of dealing with alcohol related issues, particularly regarding anti-social behaviour and young people.

The proposals were:-

(a) to revoke automatically the licences of premises failing three times in a thirteen months’ period as a result of test purchasing;

(b) to progress, as soon as possible, the bottle marking initiative that was currently being developed to enable trace back of the alcohol to the premises from which it was sold.

It was pointed out that a policy of automatic revocation was not possible as each case had to be treated on its own merits. It was also pointed out that review applications could not be brought by the Licensing Authority.

With regard to bottle marking, the practical process was an issue. It was also pointed out that such an initiative could only form part of a pool of conditions and needed to be proportionate.

Resolved:- (1) That the correspondence be noted.

(2) That officers look at ways the sale of alcohol could be controlled within the powers of the Committee and report further.