Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED:      That the revised Statement of Licensing Policy be adopted in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

Reason for Decision

It is a statutory requirement that the Council adopts a Statement of Licensing Policy and review and publish that policy each five year period.

Councillor Lawrence invited the Environmental Health Manager (Commercial) to present the report which explained that the current ‘Statement of Licensing Policy’ was approved by Full Council on the 25^th November 2010 with a minor amendment approved on the 28^th January 2010.  Regulations required that the policy be reviewed every five years and a replacement for our current policy must be in place by the 7^th January 2016.  The policy had been drawn up in accordance with guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and best practice issued by local government regulation (the new name for lacors).

Consultation had been carried out on the proposed changes to the policy, the amended version of which was now considered.

It was noted that the Joint Panels Meeting had supported the recommendations.

RECOMMENDED:      That the revised Statement of Licensing Policy be adopted in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

The above report is on the Cabinet Forward Decision List for 3 November

2015 and has been identified by the Chairman for consideration by the Panel.

The Panel are requested to consider the report and make any appropriate recommendations to Cabinet.

The Barrister presented the Cabinet report and explained that Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003 required licensing authorities to prepare and publish a statement of licensing policy every five years.  A review of the statement had been carried out, taking into account new revised guidance issued by the Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and guidance issued by Local Government Regulation.

Proposed changes to the policy were set out in the report.  The Panel was informed that before determining the policy the Act stated that the Council must consult with certain individuals and organisations.  The details of the review were also published on the Borough Council’s website.

The Chairman thanked the Barrister for her report and invited questions and comments from the Panels.  There were no questions from the Panel.

RESOLVED: That the Regeneration and Development & Environment and Community Panel support the recommendations to Cabinet as set out below:

That the Council be invited to adopt the revised Statement of Licensing Policy in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.