Agenda and minutes

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The Chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual, or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.

RESOLVED

·         That the Chair’s announcement regarding the filming of the meeting for live or subsequent broadcast be noted.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Carroll and Mallett.

To update the Committee on the response to the consultation and seek approval of the draft policy for recommendation to Full Council in November 2015 for adoption. 

The Committee considered a report updating on responses received to the consultation on the revised Statement of Licensing Policy (SoLP) as part of the statutory five year review required under the Licensing Act 2003. The draft policy would progress to Full Council in November seeking approval for adoption. Regulatory Committee had considered the draft policy prior to its release for consultation at the last meeting on 21 September.

The Licensing Officer outlined the responses received during the 6 week consultation period. Confirmation was provided that all responsible authorities had made representations. The two representations received from the public were set out within the report including the proposed Council response. The first submission proposed that real ales and beers above 6.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) that appeal to the higher end market be exempt from licence conditions restricting high ABV products. Officers proposed to change the wording within the Policy to reflect this to emphasise the primary focus on cheap high strength products. The Committee expressed some concern that this distinction could be counterproductive and emphasised that clear definitions of the terms ‘cheap’ and ‘premium’ in this respect would need to be set out as well as clearly couching this consideration in terms of preventing binge drinking. The consultee also proposed that the policy covered all premises types in relation to framework hours and which officers confirmed was the case and therefore no Policy amendment was required. The second representation proposed that the policy set out an expectation that premises should have the correct planning use in place prior to making a licence application. Officers proposed that this be added to the Policy although this could only constitute guidance as it was not a legislative requirement.

The Committee raised concern over the low number of representations received during the consultation period, including limited input from Councillors. Officers outlined the methodology used including notifications sent out, meetings held with licencees etc and confirmed that a link to the consultation had been circulated to all Councillors. Members proposed as a learning point for future consultations that a concise summary of proposed policy revisions be circulated to Councillors to encourage a greater level of response. In light of identified issues with street drinking in parts of the borough, it was also suggested that future consultation be expanded to cover groups such as HAGA (Haringey Advisory Group on Alcohol) involved in providing alcohol support services in the borough.

Clarification was sought on whether reference was made within the Policy to promoting the Pubwatch initiative. It was advised that Pubwatch was active in the borough but was an initiative led and run by licence holders and as such could not be imposed under the Policy. It was however recognised that engaging with smaller licence holders such as those running off licences remained an ongoing issue and improving this was a key priority within the SoLP.

The Council’s position regarding the potential imposition of a late night levy within the borough was questioned. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 189.

7 December.

7 December.