Agenda and minutes

Due to technical issues, Councillor Munby was unable to Chair the Meeting, so nominations for Chair were sought.

Councillor Daniels nominated Councillor Grainger, this was seconded by Councillor Lynch, all members were in agreement.

Councillor Grainger was elected Chair for the ensuing meeting.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the following meetings;

Licensing Committee held on 29 October 2019

Licensing Panels held on 21 August 2019, 12 September 2019 and 14 February 2020.

Licensing Regulatory Panels held on 13 September 2019, 04 October 2019, 19 December 2019, 24 December 2019, 10 February 2020 and 14 February 2020.

The minutes of the following meetings were signed as a correct record;

Licensing Committee held on 29 October 2019.

Licensing Panels held on 21 August 2019, 12 September 2019 and 14 February 2020.

Licensing Regulatory Panels held on 13 September 2019, 04 October 2019, 19 December 2019, 24 December 2019, 10 February 2020 and 14 February 2020.

Councillors/Staff to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, other registrable interest or any other interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

None declared

To answer questions from members of the public – submitted in writing or by electronic mail no later than 5.00pm, 2 working days before the meeting.

None received

The Senior Licensing and Compliance Officer submitted a report to recommend a new Statement of Licensing Policy for 2021-2026 to be adopted by Council after considering the proposed amendments to the policy by Officers and responses received to the statutory consultation.

The recommendation was to review the amendments and proposals and determine their inclusion or otherwise, giving full reasons for decisions and to recommend a new policy for adoption.

The Senior Licensing and Compliance Officer then outlined the background to the report.

Section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003 (‘the Act’) requires a licensing authority to prepare and publish a ‘Statement of Licensing Policy’ at least every five years. It must be published before the authority carries out any function in respect of individual applications and notices made under the terms of the Act. During the five-year period, the policy must be kept under review and revisions should be made to it as appropriate. The current policy came into effect on 7 January 2016 and is now due to be reviewed. A revised statement is to be published by 7 January 2021.

Members were then advised that the determination of the Statement of Licensing Policy is not a Licensing Committee function, but it is intended that the recommendations of the Licensing committee will be referred to Council for their consideration when formally adopting a new policy on 9 December 2020.

The draft policy was published for consultation between 16 October and 13 November 2020. All responsible authorities, the British Transport Police, Councillors and Housing Associations were consulted. Members were also advised that the consultation was advertised in the local press, online and to recipients of the Allerdale Borough Council Newsletter.

The Senior Licensing and Compliance Officer explained that the Statement of Licensing Policy will promote the four key licensing objectives as well as reinforce and develop measures to improve the safety of the public and minimise the risk of crimes against them, to mitigate the effects of regulated activities upon the communities in which the activities are held, and to protect children from inappropriate activities.

Members were advised that the Statement of Licensing Policy will be delivered over the next 5 years and be used by officer and, the Licensing Committee including Licencing Panels. The Policy will also contribute to the Council achieving its strategic objectives.

Members were then advised of the proposed change to the scheme of delegation which would delegate film classification to the Licensing Officers.

The Senior Licensing and Compliance Officer then went through in detail the ‘Senior Licensing and Compliance Officer amendments to draft policy prior to consultation’ (appendix 1) and then the ‘responses to consultation’ (appendix 2). Since the agenda was published for this meeting a further two consultation responses were received, and these were advised to members.

Clarity was provided to members over the recommendations and each of the proposed amendments from the officers and consultees in appendix 1 and 2.

Councillor Lynch moved the motion to approve the recommendations set out in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 187.