Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Peacock and Beacham. There an apology from Councillor Demirci who was substituted by Councillor Aitken.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late reports, related to any items for consideration under those agenda items. Any new items of urgent business will be considered under Agenda Item 7 below.

None.

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgment of the public interest and if this interest affects their financial position or the financial position of a person or body as described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct and/or if it relates to the determining of any approval, consent, license, permission or registration in relation to them or any person or body described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct.

None.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Committee held on 24 May 2007; and Special Licensing Committees on 11 July 2007, 30 August 2007, and 13 September 2007; and the minutes of the Special Licensing Sub-Committees held on 7 August 2007, 30 August 2007, 13 September 2007, 16 October 2007, 1 November 2007, and 15 November 2007.

RESOLVED

That the following minutes from the following meetings be agreed and signed by the Chair:

• Licensing Committee held on 24 May 2007
• Special Licensing Committees on 11 July 2007, 30 August 2007, and 13 September 2007
• Special Licensing Sub-Committees held on 7 August 2007, 30 August 2007, 13 September 2007, 16 October 2007, 1 November 2007, and 15 November 2007.

To recommend that Councillor Dodds be appointed to the vacancy on Licensing Sub-Committee C in place of Councillor Dobbie.

RESOLVED

That the Committee agree to the change of membership for Licensing Sub-Committee C so that Councillor Dodds replaces Councillor Dobbie.

To notify Members and consult on the draft Statement of Licensing Policy.

Following introduction by the report author it was

RESOLVED

(i)                 To approve the Statement of Licensing Policy and to recommend it to the next meeting of the Full Council for adoption.

(ii)               To approve that the report be put before the General Purposes Committee who are asked to agree to delegate to The Assistant Director Enforcement or the Director of Urban Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member the power to make any amendments to the Statement of Licensing Policy , having regard to the responses from the consultation, prior to the policy being reported to Full Council for adoption. These amendments would be agreed in consultation with the Chairs of Licensing Committee and the General Purposes Committee.

To report and consult with Members on setting fees for the new regulations concerning Temporary Use Notices under the Gambling Act 2005.

Following introduction by the report author it was

RESOLVED

That the Committee agree to the fees as outlined in the report to enable the Licensing Authority to accept Gambling Act 2005 applications.

To report back to members the findings of the consultation on the proposed Gambling Fees and to seek approval for the proposed fees contained in the report.

Following introduction by the report author it was

RESOLVED

That the Committee:

(i)                 Notes the response to the consultation from William Hill organisation set out at Appendix One to the report and the advice in relation to this response at paragraphs 8.4 and 8.5

(ii)               Agrees not to reduce the level of the first annual fees in order to ensure the full recovery of costs.

(iii)             Agreed the fee structure for 2007/8 as set out in the Table under Paragraph 10:10 of the report.

(iv)              Notes that fees for future years will be set after reviewing them, within the limits of the legislation, to ensure that the premises licensing regime keeps fee income in line with the costs of service provision as nearly as possible. Fee changes required only to account for inflation need not undergo a full review.

To consider any new items of urgent business admitted under Agenda Item 2 above.

None.

To confirm the remaining scheduled meeting of the 2007/8 calendar as follows:

·                    21 February 2008, 7:30pm, Civic Centre

21 February 2008, 7:30pm