Issue - meetings

To consider responses to consultation in relation to the Council’s proposed Statement of Licensing Policy (the ‘Policy’) 2016 – 2021 and to approve the Policy.

The Council received the report circulated with the agenda (copy attached to the official minutes). Mr Barrow (Cabinet Member for Environment), seconded by Mr Ridd, introduced the debate.

He explained that the Licensing Act 2003 required every local Licensing Authority to publish a Statement of Policy with respect to its licensing functions every five years. The Council’s current Policy expired on 7 January 2016 and a new policy must be approved and published before the Council carried out any licensing functions under the Act.

A public consultation exercise on a draft Policy had been undertaken between 27July and 5 October 2015, responses to which were appended to the report. In consequence, some minor changes to the draft were proposed for the Council’s approval.

Mr Shaxson drew attention to response LA1 from Ballards Brewery in respect of the notice period for Temporary Event Notices. Whilst acknowledging that the 28 days notice period was a recommendation, he hoped that the minimum statutory requirements of ten or five working days would not become a default position that was used too often.

RESOLVED

That the revised Statement of Licensing Policy 2016 – 2021, incorporating the changes referred to in Appendix A, be approved and published.

To approve for consultation a proposed draft Statement of Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003 for the period of 2016 – 2021.

RESOLVED

1)      That the draft revised Statement of Licensing Policy for the period 2016 – 2021 for Chichester District be approved for public consultation.

2)      That the Head of Housing and Environment Services be authorised to consider any representations arising from the consultation exercise and, provided the representations do not require significant amendments to the draft Policy, to recommend adoption to Full Council on 15 December 2015 (with minor amendments if considered appropriate) following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment.

3)      That the Head of Housing and Environment Services report back on adoption to the Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Committee and Cabinet in circumstances where significant amendments to the Policy are required in her opinion following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment.

The Cabinet considered the report circulated with the agenda (copy attached to the official minutes).

Mr Barrow introduced the report, explaining that the Council was required to publish a Statement of Licensing Policy every five years, in order to set out the principles by which it would exercise its licensing functions against four objectives, namely:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

A review was now due, and the report described the changes proposed to the Council’s current Statement, and the consultation process that would be followed before the new Statement was approved.

The draft Statement appended to the report took account of the views of the Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Committee, which had considered it at its meeting on 17 June 2015.

In answer to a question by the Chairman, Mr Foord (Licensing Manager) commented that the Licensing Act 2003 had a big impact on the Council and on businesses and the public. The Government had carried out a significant review of the legislation during the last 18 months and introduced a lot of exemptions to reduce the burdens on businesses.

RESOLVED

(1)        That the draft revised Statement of Licensing Policy for the period 2016 – 2021 for Chichester District be approved for public consultation.

(2)        That the Head of Housing and Environment Services be authorised to consider any representations arising from the consultation exercise and, provided the representations do not require significant amendments to the draft Policy, to recommend adoption to Full Council on 15 December 2015 (with minor amendments if considered appropriate) following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment.

(3)        That the Head of Housing and Environment Services report back on adoption to the Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Committee and Cabinet in circumstances where significant amendments to the Policy are required in her opinion following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment.