Issue - meetings

Dahlia Barrett, Licensing Team Leader, reported on the review of the Council’s Licensing Policy.  All licensing authorities were required to do this every five years. The policy covered the licensing of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late night refreshments.  Legislative changes had been incorporated.  In respect of the response to Covid, businesses were now able to fast track applications for placing tables and chairs outside premises for one year at a reduced cost as part of the Business and Planning Act.  However, take up had been slow so far.  Lessons learnt had been incorporated within the new policy and, in particular, the review by the Friends of Finsbury Park on events held there.  The Council’s Public Health service had been wanting to establish a Community Impact Zone in an area within the borough in response to the harm arising from alcohol, including crime and anti-social behaviour.  This enabled authorities to specify that an area had reached saturation point for licensed premises and made it more difficult for premises to obtain or extend licenses.  However, clear evidence needed to be produced that alcohol was the main driver.

The Committee expressed disappointment that a Community Impact Zone had not yet been set up in the borough as the adverse impact of alcohol on locations within the borough could be clearly seen.  It was felt that learning could be obtained from other authorities that had implemented such schemes.  It was agreed that the Committee would recommend that a report come to a future meeting of the Committee on the setting up of a zone within Haringey (Action: Licensing Team Leader).

In answer to a question, Ms Barrett stated the Council followed all relevant legislation regarding consultation.   All licensed premises and the public had invited to respond to the consultation on the new policy.  8 weeks had been allowed for responses.  4 questions had been included plus the opportunity to input free text.  In respect of School Zones, Public Health could make representations regarding licensing applications in such areas. However, the legislation required that evidence was based on clear evidence and not just anecdotal.

In answer to another question, she stated that there was a section on the process for reviewing licenses.   Clear evidence needed to be provided by those objecting that premises were not complying with their responsibilities.  Applications were shared with responsible authorities who were given 28 days to respond.  Her service was not able to solicit responses but met regularly with authorities and could provide guidance.  She stated that residents should bring any incidents to the attention of the local Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams. 

RESOLVED

That the Licensing Team Leader be requested to submit a report to a future meeting of the Committee on the potential development of a Community Impact Zone within an area of Haringey.