Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Bennett, C. Blanchard-Cooper, Mrs Catterson and Goodheart.

Members and Officers are reminded to make any declarations of pecuniary, personal and/or prejudicial interests that they may have in relation to items on this agenda and are reminded that they should re-declare their interest before consideration of the item or as soon as the interest becomes apparent.

Members and officers should make their declaration by stating :

a) the item they have the interest in

b) whether it is a pecuniary, personal and/or prejudicial

c) the nature of the interest

            There were no declarations of interest made.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2019 (attached).

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2019 were approved by the Committee and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

            Following consideration, the Committee

RESOLVED

That the start times of meetings be 9.30 a.m. for the remainder of 2019/20.

This report requests Members to consider the revised Statement of Licensing Policy alongside comments made in response to consultation to agree a recommendation to Full Council.

            The Group Head of Technical Services introduced this item and advised that, in the absence of the Licensing Manager, the Licensing Officer would present the detail of the revised Statement of Licensing Policy and answer any questions Members might have.  Since publication of the agenda, a couple of presentational issues had been identified and he was therefore seeking Members’ agreement to an additional recommendation to read “Authority be delegated to the Group Head of Technical Services to make minor changes to the policy, in consultation with the Chairman”.

            The Licensing Officer informed the Committee that the revisions to the Statement of Licensing Policy centred on additions to sections 3, 5, 6, 15, 20, 22 and 24 and he provided a brief summary of those additions.  He also advised that, as a result of the public consultation that had been undertaken, Public Health had provided information that was considered to be useful for inclusion in the policy.

            In discussing the matter, clarification was sought that the Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) would dovetail in with the Licensing Act regime and the Group Head of Technical Services was able to provide that clarification.  Following further questions, which were responded to at the meeting, Members commented that this was an excellent report that was understandable and easy to read.

            It was suggested and agreed that, following amendment to the policy as discussed, a draft final version would be circulated to Members for comment and proof reading.

            The Committee then

RESOLVED

That the Public Health data provided be inserted into section 7 of the policy; and

RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL - That

(1)  the Statement of Licensing Policy be approved for adoption to take effect from 01 January 2020; and

(2)  Authority be delegated to the Group Head of Technical Services to make minor changes to the policy, in consultation with the Chairman.