Licensing Committee
Wednesday, 6th April, 2011 10.00 am
Agenda reports pack PDF 229 KB
Venue: Norfolk Rooms, The Conference Suite, Elizabeth House, Dereham
Contact: Committee Services Tel: 01362 656870
To confirm the Minutes of the meetings held on 13 October 2010.
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. Rogers, Turner, Martin and Chapman-Allen. Cllr Bowes was in attendance as a substitute for Cllr Turner.
Update on Licensing (For Information) PDF 74 KB
Report of the Assistant Director Commissioning.
Stephanie Butcher, Principal Licensing Officer introduced Mr Nigel Payne the new Environmental Health Manager, who was welcomed by the Chairman.
The report of the Assistant Director Commissioning was to make the Committee aware of current licensing matters, issues and further developments to Licensing. The Principal Licensing Officer highlighted the main points for Members and the overall result of the changes were felt to be balanced in her opinion.
With regard to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill, Clause 103 introduced the Licensing Authority as a responsible authority.
Clause 112, Temporary Event Notices had added Environmental Health as a relevant person to object to a TEN under any of the licensing objectives. Hours and numbers were to increase. Fees had not increased for five years. The Licensing Policy would be kept under constant review.
Clause 105, removed the "interested parties living in the vicinity" which meant representations and applications for reviews could be made by anyone wherever they lived as long as their representation or application related to a licensing objective.
Clauses 124-138 enabled a licensing authority to impose a late night levy on holders of premises licences and club premises certificates whose authorisations allowed them to supply alcohol during the "late night supply period". It was asked if a fee could be set. Members were informed that if there was a problem area, the levy could be applied. With regard to a further question as to whether the Police could ask for such a levy the Principal Licensing Officer, stated that they would have to demonstrate there was a problem in the area. The levy would be an extra charge on such premises.
A Member wanted the changes to be as efficient as possible but had concerns about the cost. The Principal Licensing Officer said that if there was no rateable value fees would be £100, but increased substantially for large venues. It was the Chairman's view that it should not be Breckland rate payers who subsidised businesses and legislation had drawn the issue into the public control which allowed the community to bring issues to the Council. Charges on Council tax payers were not off set by fines.
In response to a question about the Carnegie Rooms in Thetford, the Principal Licensing Officer said she was not aware their premises licence had been surrendered and would look into the matter.<2>
The Live Music Bill looked to amend proposed time limits to be reduced to 11 p.m.
The Licensing Policy had been published on 7 January 2011.
Sexual Entertainment Venues would be dealt with by the General Purposes Committee and adopted by full Council, and would be brought back to the General Purposes Committee for fees to be set.
Licensing training for any new Members to Licensing would take place on 24 May 2011 and a refresher training update for all existing Members on 25 May 2011.
There would be a consultation on the re-evaluation of some of the Gambling fees. There had been no increase in ... view the full minutes text for item 3.
The next meeting scheduled for 13 May 2011 at 10.00 a.m in the Norfolk Room was noted.
The Chairman thanked all the Committee Members and Clerks for the work they had done over the last few years.
The Principal Licensing Officer thanked the Chairman and Committee Members for their support in general and at Licensing Hearings.