Decision details

Upon the invitation of the Chair, the Environmental Health Team Manager presented the report which sought adoption of the revised Licensing Sub-Committee hearing procedures in relation to Taxis and non-Licensing Act matters, and Licensing Act 2003 matters. These had been reviewed and updated to ensure there was improved clarity and transparency of the procedures that would be used for each type of hearing. Clarification was sought on whether the onus was on Members to flag with Officers before sitting on a Licensing Sub-Committee panel if they had sat on Planning Committee at which an item relevant to a premises was heard or were the Ward Member for a ward in which a licensing application was located. The Environmental Health Team Manager advised that Officers would work with Committee Services colleagues to establish any potential conflicts, but that the onus was on Members to identify and manage these. Another Member raised the issue of conflicts based upon the work of Members’ spouses which Officers would not necessarily have a record of though some circumstances might be appear on a Member’s Declaration of Interest. It was accepted that some details only came to light once agenda papers had been circulated, at which point Panel Members must let Officers know about any potential conflicts of interest. The recommendations were then proposed by Councillor Blanchard-Cooper and seconded by Councillor Bence.

The Committee

RESOLVED – That

1.    The Licensing Committee adopt the revised hearing procedures for Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee hearing procedures;

2.    The Licensing Committee separately adopt the revised hearing procedures for Taxi Licensing to be added to the Taxi Licensing Statement of Policy;

3.    The Group Head of Technical Services in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee be authorised to make minor changes to the licensing hearing procedures as may be required.